Why Hijama (Cupping Therapy) Became Popular in the Arab World: A Comparison with Korea
How Hijama (Cupping Therapy) Saved My Mother’s Life
Hello, I’m probably one of the few young people in South Korea who has mastered Hijama (cupping therapy) on my own. In fact, my entire family is deeply familiar with Hijama—why? Because we had to save our health!
While watching YouTube, I noticed how common Hijama is in Arab countries. It’s a part of daily life there, and honestly, I’m jealous! I truly believe that people in the Arab world have a huge health advantage because of Hijama.
Sometimes, visitors from Riyadh and other Arab regions check out my blog, so today, I’m adding a little Arabic as well. Hijama purifies the blood and heals the body—it’s widespread in the Arab world, and as a Korean, I envy that. It’s the simplest, most practical, yet one of the most powerful therapies.
By the way, my mother had kidney failure and underwent a kidney transplant, but thanks to Hijama, she has been living well ever since. That’s an incredible achievement!
Hijama, also known as wet cupping therapy, has developed significantly in the Arab world due to historical, religious, and cultural factors. In contrast, cupping therapy in Korea has faced more restrictions due to medical regulations and societal perceptions. Let’s explore the differences.
Introduction to Arabic
كيف أنقذت الحجامة (العلاج بالكؤوس) حياة والدتي
مرحبًا، ربما أكون واحدًا من القلائل في كوريا الجنوبية الذين تعلموا الحجامة (العلاج بالكؤوس) بمفردهم. في الحقيقة، عائلتي بأكملها لديها معرفة عميقة بالحجامة— لماذا؟ لأننا كنا بحاجة إلى إنقاذ صحتنا!
عندما كنت أشاهد يوتيوب، لاحظت أن الحجامة منتشرة جدًا في الدول العربية. إنها جزء من الحياة اليومية هناك، وبصراحة، أنا أشعر بالغيرة! أنا متأكد تمامًا أن الأشخاص في العالم العربي لديهم ميزة صحية كبيرة بسبب الحجامة.
أحيانًا، يزور مدونتي أشخاص من الرياض ومناطق عربية أخرى، لذلك قررت اليوم أن أضيف بعض الكلمات باللغة العربية. الحجامة تنقي الدم وتشفي الجسم—وهي منتشرة على نطاق واسع في العالم العربي، وككوري، أشعر بالغيرة من ذلك. إنها أبسط وأقوى علاج في نفس الوقت!
بالمناسبة، والدتي كانت تعاني من فشل كلوي وخضعت لعملية زرع كلى، لكن بفضل الحجامة، تعيش بصحة جيدة حتى الآن. وهذا إنجاز مذهل!
1. Why Hijama Became Popular in the Arab World
Religious Influence (Connection with Islam)
Hijama holds an important place in Islamic tradition. The Prophet Muhammad recommended cupping as a method for maintaining health and treating illnesses. In Hadith (the records of the Prophet’s sayings and actions), there is a famous statement: “Hijama is one of the best treatments.” Because of this, many Muslims consider Hijama both a religious practice and a natural therapy. It is often performed on specific dates according to the Islamic calendar, reinforcing its cultural significance.
Integration with Traditional Medicine
The Arab world has long combined Greek-Roman medicine (Unani medicine) with Islamic medical traditions. Hijama follows the ancient belief in balancing bodily fluids (such as blood and bile) to maintain health. This idea, though ancient, has continued to influence modern Arab medicine.
Cultural Acceptance
Unlike in some Western and Asian societies, alternative medicine is widely accepted in Arab countries. Many people use Hijama alongside modern medicine or as an alternative therapy. In places like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, professional Hijama clinics are common, and practitioners are recognized for their expertise.
Environmental Factors
Living in harsh desert climates, people in the Arab world sought practical methods to maintain their health. They believed that Hijama improved blood circulation and reduced body heat, making it a useful therapy for their environment.
2. Cupping Therapy in Korea & Institutional Restrictions
The Development of Cupping in Korea
Cupping therapy, known as bu-hang (부항) in Korea, has been used in traditional Korean medicine for centuries. It comes in two main forms:
- Dry cupping (건식 부항) – No blood is drawn, and suction is used to stimulate circulation.
- Wet cupping (습식 부항) – Similar to Hijama, it involves making small incisions to remove blood.
Today, cupping is commonly performed in Korean traditional medicine clinics (Hanbang clinics), often combined with acupuncture. It is also gaining popularity in sports medicine and wellness centers, such as spas and massage therapy clinics.
Resistance from the Medical Industry
In Korea, modern medical associations strongly regulate alternative therapies like cupping. This is due to several reasons:
- Medical Law and Licensing Issues: In Korea, only licensed medical professionals (doctors and traditional Korean medicine practitioners) are legally allowed to perform medical treatments. Since wet cupping involves minor incisions, it is classified as an invasive procedure, making it illegal outside official medical facilities.
- Scientific Controversy: Many Western-trained doctors claim that there is not enough scientific evidence to support the medical benefits of cupping. This creates tension between modern medicine and traditional practitioners.
- Market Protection: The medical industry prefers to limit alternative therapies to maintain control over healthcare services, preventing competition from non-medical professionals.
The Consequences in Korea
Top quality Korean hijama cup setAs a result, cupping therapy in Korea remains restricted to traditional Korean medicine clinics or wellness centers. Unlike in Arab countries, cupping has not developed as an independent and widely accepted therapy due to strict medical laws and cultural perceptions.
3. Arab World vs. Korea: Key Differences
| Factor | Arab World (Hijama) | Korea (Bu-hang) |
|---|---|---|
| Religious & Cultural Role | Strongly linked to Islam, seen as a religious duty | Not influenced by religion, viewed as an old tradition |
| Government Regulation | Generally accepted and practiced openly | Highly regulated, limited to medical professionals |
| Social Acceptance | Widely used and trusted as a therapy | Considered alternative or outdated by some people |
| Integration with Modern Medicine | Coexists with mainstream medicine | Often challenged by medical associations |
Conclusion
Hijama became popular in the Arab world due to Islamic endorsement, traditional medicine integration, and cultural acceptance. Meanwhile, in Korea, cupping remains a part of traditional medicine but faces restrictions from the medical system. While both practices share similarities, their social, religious, and institutional differences have shaped their growth in unique ways.
Are you interested in trying cupping therapy? If so, make sure to check the regulations and professional practitioners in your country to ensure safe and effective treatment!