Cupping comes to Nairobi

By Chandni Khan

Cupping is a traditional form of treatment known as Hijama in Arabic. It entails suctioning blood via vacuum cups from small skin incisions. It is performed almost anywhere in the body, depending on the specific treatments. 

The Nairobi community of the Ithna Ashariya was privileged to have among them a trained lady in Hijama, Khadija Askari, on May 14. Askari is a specialist in the science of cupping from Pakistan and explained its importance to our bodies and also the fact that it was one of the practices of Prophet Muhammad.

“It cures up to 172 diseases in the body,” she said. Arthritis, lower back pain, migraine, lack of body hair and stress among others are some diseases that are believed to get cured from Hijama. The therapy gets rid of ‘bad blood’ from the body and enables proper flow of fluids in the system.

The specialist came to Nairobi to train other ladies on the therapy, so they can then help others get cured. Registration began on May 18 and the training kicked off on May19 at the Musafir Khana in Lavington. Askari is expected to visit Mombasa before she returns to Pakistan.