Health Benefits & Contraindications Flashcards

Which cardiovascular condition is hijama most commonly cited to help manage through improved circulation?

Answer: Hypertension

Hijama is commonly used as a complementary approach for hypertension by promoting vasodilation and reducing blood viscosity.

A patient taking warfarin requests hijama therapy. What is the primary concern?

Answer: Anticoagulant effect increases bleeding risk

Warfarin is an anticoagulant that significantly increases bleeding risk, making wet cupping contraindicated or requiring physician clearance.

Which of the following best describes hijama's proposed mechanism for pain relief?

Answer: It releases endorphins and reduces local inflammation

Hijama is thought to stimulate endorphin release and reduce inflammatory mediators, providing analgesic effects.

Hijama is generally contraindicated in patients with which skin condition at the treatment site?

Answer: Active psoriasis plaques at the cupping site

Active psoriasis plaques at the cupping site are a local contraindication due to risk of Koebner phenomenon and infection.

Which benefit of hijama is supported by its effect on increasing local blood flow and oxygen delivery?

Answer: Enhanced tissue repair and healing

Increased local blood flow delivers more oxygen and nutrients to tissues, accelerating cellular repair and healing processes.

A practitioner is asked to perform hijama on a patient who had a mastectomy with lymph node removal. Which area must be avoided?

Answer: The ipsilateral arm on the side of lymph node removal

The arm on the same side as lymph node removal must be avoided due to lymphedema risk from any procedure that could disrupt lymph drainage.

What is the rationale for avoiding hijama over varicose veins?

Answer: It can rupture fragile, distended veins and cause deep tissue bleeding

Varicose veins are structurally fragile and distended; applying suction over them risks rupture and significant bleeding.