Is Hijama (wet cupping) Therapy Suitable For Diabetics?
If you or a loved one is living with diabetes and have been curious about trying Hijama (wet cupping) therapy but paused out of concern for safety—you’re not alone. It’s a common worry we hear from patients, families, and even healthcare professionals:
“Isn’t Hijama risky for diabetics?”
“Won’t it increase the risk of infection?”
“Can someone with diabetes even have Hijama done safely?”
These are important, valid questions. And they deserve clear, evidence-informed answers. So let’s break it down and explore: Is Hijama (wet cupping) therapy suitable for diabetics? We’ll look at what the research shows, what experienced practitioners have observed, and the real factors that determine whether Hijama can be a safe and beneficial option for individuals managing diabetes.
The Truth: It’s Not a Simple Yes or No
Let’s start here:
Hijama therapy is not automatically unsafe for people with diabetes.
But at the same time, it’s not automatically safe either.
What does that mean?
At ICAHT (Institute of Clinically Applied Holistic Therapy), our protocols classify diabetes as a relative contraindication not an absolute one.
In plain language:
Hijama isn’t “forbidden” for diabetics, but it does require extra care, awareness, and professional consideration. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation.
And that’s where the conversation really begins.
Understanding Relative Contraindications
In healthcare, a relative contraindication means a treatment may be used if the benefits outweigh the risks and if it’s done under the right conditions.
Think of it like this:
Would you recommend someone with a mild back injury to try gentle stretching? Possibly.
Would you recommend it for someone with a herniated disc? Only under close supervision, and with modifications.
The same applies to diabetics and Hijama. Every individual is different. Their condition, history, medication use, and glucose control must be taken into account.
So, What Makes Hijama Potentially Risky for Diabetics?
There are two main concerns practitioners must be aware of when performing Hijama on diabetic patients:
Risk of Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)
One of the most immediate concerns is the risk of hypoglycemia, which occurs when blood sugar drops too low—usually below 70 mg/dL.
Hijama therapy involves removing a small amount of blood from the body. While minimal, this can influence glucose regulation, especially in people using insulin or oral hypoglycemics. In rare cases, this drop can become dangerous, even leading to:
Dizziness
Fainting
Seizures
Diabetic coma
That’s why monitoring glucose levels before and after a session is essential, and why sessions should never be scheduled when a patient is fasting or has missed a meal.
Delayed Healing and Risk of Infection
The second concern is that diabetic patients often experience slower wound healing and a reduced immune response, particularly if their blood sugar is not well controlled. This means that the small skin incisions made during Hijama may:
Take longer to close
Be at higher risk of infection
Result in more visible scarring
This doesn’t mean Hijama is off the table, it just means stringent hygiene standards and follow-up care are non-negotiable.
What Does Science Say?
Although research specifically focused on Hijama in diabetic patients is limited, there is some evidence suggesting that, when done correctly, Hijama may actually benefit metabolic health.
For example:
A study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice (2015) found that wet cupping led to improvements in fasting blood glucose levels in some patients with Type 2 diabetes. [¹]
Another study in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies (2013) highlighted Hijama’s anti-inflammatory effects, which could indirectly help manage diabetic complications. [²]
However, these studies are preliminary. The take-home message? Hijama shows potential but only under competent, informed care.
Why Training and Experience Matter
Unfortunately, many people offering Hijama therapy today are “technicians,” not true holistic practitioners. They may have taken a 1-day course or watched videos online that only teach how to apply cups and make incisions without any real medical training or clinical safety knowledge.
That’s where the danger lies, not in the therapy itself, but in who is performing it.
At ICAHT, we’ve audited countless courses around the world and found that most completely ignore key topics, such as:
How to screen for diabetic complications
How to manage a hypoglycemic episode
How diabetes affects skin healing
How to distinguish between fainting and hypoglycemia during a session
That’s why we created our Elite Performance Practitioner Certification—a training programme built by medical doctors, chiropractors, and naturopaths that goes far beyond surface-level knowledge.
We believe that when practitioners are well-trained, more people can benefit safely including those with chronic conditions like diabetes.
So, Is Hijama Safe for You or Someone You Know with Diabetes?
Let’s break it down into practical advice:
Hijama may be suitable for diabetics IF:
Blood sugar is well controlled (HbA1c in a healthy range)
The practitioner has advanced knowledge of diabetic physiology
The session is adapted (e.g. shorter, fewer cups, more monitoring)
The environment is hygienic, and aftercare is thorough
The patient is not fasting or in a weakened state
Hijama should be avoided or postponed IF:
Blood sugar levels are uncontrolled
The patient is experiencing diabetic complications (neuropathy, ulcers, infections)
The practitioner is not qualified to handle medical contraindications
There’s no system in place for patient follow-up and safety monitoring
The Bigger Issue: Equal Access to Holistic Therapies
There are more than 400 million people worldwide living with diabetes. [³] That’s 400 million people who may be suffering from back pain, headaches, joint issues, and chronic inflammation yet they’re often told that therapies like Hijama aren’t for them.
That’s not just unfortunate, it’s unjust.
We need to shift the conversation from “Is Hijama safe for diabetics?” to:
“How can we ensure diabetic patients receive safe and effective Hijama therapy?”
Because excluding diabetic patients completely due to a lack of practitioner training is not a solution. Educating and empowering practitioners is.
What If You’re a Practitioner Reading This?
If you’re already practicing Hijama or want to become a certified practitioner and help more people including those with chronic conditions then training matters more than ever.
Our Elite Performance Practitioner Certification at ICAHT is the most comprehensive, science-based cupping therapy training programme available.
What makes it different?
Designed by doctors, chiropractors, and holistic medicine experts
Covers clinical screening, contraindications, and patient management
Equips you to work with athletes, chronic pain patients, and complex cases like diabetes
Gives you practical experience, not just theory
We’ve helped hundreds of students transition from basic Hijama courses into confident, competent health professionals.
Final Thoughts: Empowerment Over Exclusion
To answer the question once and for all:
Yes—Hijama therapy can be suitable for diabetics.
But only when:
The practitioner understands the condition deeply
The session is tailored to the individual
There is ongoing communication, monitoring, and follow-up
People with diabetes deserve the same access to natural, holistic healing methods as anyone else. But that access must be safe, personalised, and backed by real expertise.
IF YOU’RE A PATIENT considering Hijama, don’t settle for shortcuts. Find a clinic or practitioner who knows how to work with your condition.
IF YOU’RE A PRACTITIONER who wants to offer safer, more effective care—we can help you get there.
Ready to Learn the Right Way?
Whether you’re just getting started or want to expand your skills, our FREE video series on Hijama and Cupping Therapy will help you explore:
How Hijama really works (beyond the cuts and cups)
The science behind its effects
What makes a great practitioner
How our ICAHT training can transform your career and the lives of those you help
Watch the FREE video series now and take your first step toward becoming an Elite Performance Therapy Practitioner: Sign-Up below.
Don’t let myths and misinformation keep people from healing. Get trained. Get certified. Make a difference.
Sources:
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice.
