Hijama in the West: How to Find a Qualified Practitioner

Updated October 2026 · 8 min read

Many Muslims in Europe and North America would like to try hijama but are not sure whether it is possible, legal or safe where they live. It is possible. This article explains how to find a qualified practitioner, what to ask, and what to avoid. For the types of cupping, see our guide to the types of hijama.

The short answer

Yes, you can receive hijama in the West. Trained practitioners work in areas with large Muslim communities, for example northern Virginia, Maryland and Dearborn, Michigan, and in other large cities.
"Certified" can mean different things. A hijama course certificate is not the same as a health licence. Ask for both.
Rules differ by country, state and city. Check your local health authority.
The test of a good practitioner is hygiene: new sterile blades, new gloves, new cup liners, every client.

Where to look

Practitioners are most common where there are many Muslims, because that is where demand is. Some are doctors, nurses, acupuncturists, massage therapists or physiotherapists who have trained in hijama; others are trained in hijama only. Good ways to find one:

Ask at your masjid and in local community groups, and ask people who have had it for years rather than only the newest advertising.
Ask a Muslim doctor or nurse you trust whom they would recommend.
Look for clinics that list their professional licence or registration on their website.
Search with the name of your city plus "hijama" or "wet cupping" and read recent reviews, then check the points below.

This page is not a directory, and we do not endorse any practitioner. The questions below work wherever you live.

Licence, certificate and rules

In the United States there is no single national licence for cupping. Whether and how it is regulated depends on the state and sometimes the county or city, and on what the practitioner is already licensed to do. Practitioners who are licensed professionals, such as physicians, nurses, acupuncturists or massage therapists, work under that licence. Others may work under a local registration, or none. Because wet cupping cuts the skin, some places treat it as a more regulated procedure than dry cupping. We cannot tell you your local rule, so call your state or county health department and ask.

The picture is similar in other countries. In England, for example, the NHS says that most complementary therapists are not required to be registered by law, and advises you to choose one who belongs to a professional organisation accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. Rules for treatments that pierce the skin can also be set by local councils.

A hijama course certificate shows the person was trained and by whom. It does not mean a regulator has approved them. It is worth having, but it is not a replacement for a professional licence and for infection-control training.

Questions to ask before you book

What are your qualifications and licence? What training in hijama, how long, and with whom?
Do you have bloodborne pathogen and infection-control training? In the US, workers who handle blood are covered by safety rules on this, and a serious practitioner will know them.
Are the blades, lancets and cup liners single-use and opened in front of me? The answer must be yes.
Do you wear new gloves, and how do you dispose of sharps and used items? Look for a sharps container and a clean room.
Do you take a health history and ask for consent? They should ask about medicines, blood thinners, pregnancy and illness, and they should be willing to say no.
Can I have a practitioner of the same gender? Many people prefer this for modesty, and good clinics offer it.
What do you charge, and what do you claim to treat?

Red flags

Reusing cups, blades or towels between clients, or "cleaning" instead of replacing.
No gloves, no health questions, and no consent.
Claims to cure cancer, diabetes or serious illness, or advice to stop your medicine.
Sessions in a home, a car or a place with no sink, and no sharps container.
Pressure to book many sessions in advance, or to buy a package of products.
Discouraging you from seeing a doctor.

If there is nobody near you

Try dry cupping. Physiotherapists, massage therapists and acupuncturists offer it in many more places, and it involves no blood.
Do not teach yourself wet cupping at home. Learning to cut skin safely takes proper training, and mistakes can mean infection.
Be careful when you travel. Hijama is easy to find in many Muslim-majority countries, but the same questions apply there. Ask them anyway.

Preparing for a session

Eat lightly, and drink water, before and after. Avoid going on an empty stomach or after a very heavy meal.
If you are fasting, scholars have differed on whether cupping breaks the fast. Many people schedule it after iftar. Ask a scholar you trust.
Skip heavy training that day. Walk gently, and return to your plan when you feel normal.
Tell your doctor you had it, particularly if you have a condition or take medicine. Never stop prescribed medicine because of cupping.
Hijama is generally not covered by health insurance, so ask about the price first.

In short

You can receive hijama in the West, especially in large cities and areas with big Muslim communities.
Ask for a professional licence as well as a hijama certificate, and check your local rules.
Insist on single-use sterile blades, gloves and cup liners every time.
If there is nobody trustworthy nearby, dry cupping or no cupping at all is better than a risky wet session.

References

Classical sources: Al-Zahrawi, al-Tasrif (surgery and cupping); Ibn Sina, The Canon of Medicine (cupping).

Modern research and guidance:

Medical disclaimer

This page is for general education about a traditional practice. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose or treat any condition. Talk to a qualified doctor about your own health, and do not delay treatment because of something you read here.