Stage 1
Initial suction
A cup is placed over the selected area to create controlled suction. This temporarily lifts the skin and superficial tissue and helps prepare the area for the next stage.
Hijama explained · wet cupping · blood cupping
What is Hijama? Wet / blood cupping explained
Hijama is wet cupping, also called blood cupping. This guide explains what happens, how it differs from dry or fire cupping, and what to expect afterwards.
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Quick answer
Hijama is blood cupping, commonly called wet cupping.
A cup is first used to create suction on the skin. The cup is removed, very small superficial scratches are made in the skin surface, and the cup is reapplied so a small amount of blood can collect inside it.
That blood-removal step is what distinguishes Hijama from dry cupping and fire cupping. All three use suction, but only Hijama includes the superficial skin scratches and controlled blood-removal stage.
You may see Hijama described as wet cupping, blood cupping, bloodletting or blood letting. Wet cupping and blood cupping are the clearest terms for this treatment. Bloodletting is a much broader historical term, so it should not be assumed to mean the same technique in every context.
If you are researching why people choose it, see our Benefits of Hijama and wet cupping guide.
How it works
The process and the difference from other cupping methods.
Understand the wet-cupping stages first, then compare Hijama with dry and fire cupping without repeating the same explanation across separate full-height sections.
How the treatment works
Three stages. The wet-cupping stage is the difference.
The mechanics are simple. The important part is how safely and appropriately they are used.
Stage 2
Superficial scratches
The cup is removed and small superficial scratches are made to the surface of the skin using a sterile single-use sharp. These are shallow and are not the same as a deep cut.
Stage 3
Second suction
The cup is reapplied. A small amount of blood enters the cup. The cup is then removed, the skin is cleaned and the area is checked before aftercare is given.
The amount of blood is not a measure of whether a session “worked”. More blood is not automatically better, and we do not chase dramatic results.
Cupping is an umbrella term
Wet, dry and fire cupping are not the same treatment.
Choosing between them should depend on why you are booking, not on which one sounds more intense.
Wet cupping
Hijama
Suction, superficial scratches and a second suction stage. Often chosen for Sunnah practice, traditional wellbeing or because the client specifically wants wet cupping.
View Hijama sessionsSuction only
Dry cupping
No scratches and no blood. Commonly used for muscular tightness and recovery, either on its own or within a broader Targeted Recovery session.
Read about dry cuppingGlass cups + heat
Fire cupping
Heat is used briefly inside a glass cup to create suction before the cup is placed on the skin. It remains a dry method because there are no scratches.
Read about fire cuppingThe reason matters more than the number of cups
Hijama is used for different personal goals.
We keep those goals separate so the session stays realistic.
Sunnah practice
Many Muslim clients book because Hijama is established in authentic Islamic tradition and they want to practise it in a clean, professional setting.
Muscular areas
Some clients choose wet cupping around the back, shoulders or legs when an area feels loaded or tight. If the presentation is mainly muscular, we may recommend combined muscle recovery work instead.
Sport and recovery
Active clients sometimes use Hijama as a standalone recovery choice or add it to manual therapy, IASTM and dry cupping when they want both approaches.
General wellbeing
Some people book because they feel run down, heavy or simply want a traditional wellbeing treatment. Responses are individual and no particular result is guaranteed.
If your main concern is the process, blood, marks or whether it hurts, the first-time guide answers those questions before you decide.
Consultation, point selection and safety
Wet cupping is not suitable for everyone on every day.
You should know what is happening before each stage rather than being treated from a fixed routine.
Consultation first
We discuss why you booked, relevant health history, medication and whether wet cupping is appropriate that day.
Tailored point selection
Points are selected around the reason for your visit, established Sunnah guidance where relevant and practical treatment safety.
Controlled treatment
The cups are applied and pressure is adjusted to a level you can tolerate comfortably. Small superficial scratches are made and the cups are reapplied for the wet-cupping stage.
Clear aftercare
The area is cleaned and checked. We explain showering, training, hydration, marks and what to do if you have a concern.
Tell us before treatment
Medication and health history matter.
Please tell us about prescribed medication, anticoagulants or blood thinners, bleeding disorders, severe anaemia, uncontrolled chronic conditions, recent surgery or injections, active infection, fever, pregnancy, skin problems over the treatment area, and any history of fainting with blood or needles.
If symptoms are severe, unexplained, worsening, neurological, or linked to a known injury or medical condition, appropriate medical assessment should come first. A Sunnah practice still needs sensible screening and hygiene.
Traditional detox & body reset
Why Hijama is often described as cleansing, detox or a physical reset.
Those words come from traditional use and the way many clients describe the experience afterwards. They do not need to be reduced to the appearance of the blood in the cup.
Traditional understanding
Wet cupping has been used for centuries as a cleansing and wellbeing practice.
During Hijama, suction is followed by small superficial scratches and a controlled amount of blood is drawn into the cup. Traditional Hijama language has long used ideas such as cleansing, stagnant blood, detox and body reset to describe the purpose of the practice.
At Herts Cupping, many clients use exactly those words and repeatedly tell us they feel lighter, refreshed, calmer or more relaxed after treatment. We respect that traditional practice and the lived experience clients describe.
We keep diagnosis separate: blood colour, cup marks or the amount drawn are not used as diagnostic tests for a specific toxin, organ problem or illness. The treatment can be valued as traditional wellbeing without turning the cup into a diagnostic test.
Marks, sensations & after-feel
What you may feel during and after a Hijama session.
The suction usually feels like firm pulling or pressure. Tighter areas can feel more intense, but pressure can be reduced. The superficial scratches are brief and many first-time clients say they were milder than expected.
Circular marks can appear where cups have been used and commonly fade over several days. Mild tenderness or tiredness can happen after wet cupping. We give you time to sit up, drink water and make sure you feel settled before you leave.
Many clients tell us the strongest thing they notice is not the mark itself but the after-feel: lighter, looser, refreshed or deeply relaxed. Individual responses vary, which is why we describe it as a wellbeing experience rather than guaranteeing a specific outcome.
Watch a real session
See the clinic and Hijama process before you book.
This is a real Herts Cupping treatment video, not stock footage. The video loads only when you choose to play it.
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Hijama sessions
Choose the amount of wet-cupping coverage you want.
Every Hijama appointment includes consultation, tailored point selection, sterile single-use equipment and aftercare. We do not force every client into the same number of cups.
Starter Hijama · Up to 5 Cups
Focused coverageUseful for a small number of points, a focused area or clients who specifically want limited coverage.
Book Starter HijamaSignature Hijama · Up to 10 Cups
Broader coverageAllows a broader tailored point selection while keeping the session focused on the reason you booked.
Book Signature HijamaAdvanced Hijama · Up to 15 Cups
Advanced coverageFor clients who want more extensive wet-cupping coverage across multiple suitable areas.
Book Advanced HijamaCommon questions
Straight answers before you book.
These are the practical questions clients ask most often. If your situation is more specific, message us before booking.
Does Hijama hurt?
Most clients describe the suction as firm pulling or pressure and the superficial scratches as brief. Pressure is adjusted throughout the session and we explain each stage before it happens.
Is Hijama the same as dry cupping?
No. Dry cupping uses suction only. Hijama is wet cupping and includes small superficial scratches followed by a second suction stage.
What comes out during Hijama?
A small amount of blood is drawn through the superficial scratches. Colour and consistency vary, but we do not use the blood or cup marks as a diagnostic test.
How long do marks last?
They commonly fade over several days. Skin response, cup pressure and the area treated all affect how visible the marks are.
Do I need to fast before Hijama?
You do not need to fast all day. Our clinic preparation guidance is to leave at least 2 hours without food before Hijama while continuing to drink water and stay hydrated. If delaying food is unsafe for you because of diabetes, medication or another condition, message us before booking.
Can I train after Hijama?
We normally advise keeping the rest of the day lighter and avoiding strenuous training for around 24 hours, especially after a broader wet-cupping session.
Can Hijama diagnose toxins or illness from the marks?
No. Mark colour and the appearance of blood are not validated diagnostic tools. Concerning symptoms still need appropriate medical assessment.
How do I choose how many cups?
Choose the coverage that seems closest to what you want. We still assess the areas first and do not use unnecessary cups simply because a package allows more.
Private clinic · St Albans
Book Hijama, or ask first if you are unsure.
If you are unsure which Hijama option fits, message us before booking. We will give you a straight answer based on what you want from the session.