Wet Cupping vs Dry Cupping: What Is the Real Difference?

If you have been researching cupping therapy, you will have seen two terms again and again: wet cupping (Hijama) and dry cupping. They use similar cups, but they differ in technique, in the training they require and, for Muslims, in their religious significance. This guide sets out those differences so you can choose the right cupping course for your goals.

What is wet cupping (Hijama)?

Hijama involves:

Placing suction cups on specific points of the body
Making small, superficial incisions in the skin
Re-applying the cups to draw a small amount of blood

Hijama is a Prophetic Sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ was cupped himself and said: "The best medicines you may treat yourselves with are cupping and sea incense." (Sahih al-Bukhari 5696). In classical Islamic medicine, wet cupping is understood to remove stagnant blood and restore balance. People commonly seek Hijama for muscular pain and tension, for relaxation and general wellbeing, and to follow the Sunnah.

What is dry cupping?

Dry cupping uses suction only: there are no incisions and no blood is drawn. The cups lift the skin and underlying tissue, increasing local blood flow and easing muscular tension. It is common in sports therapy and massage clinics.

Key differences at a glance

	Wet cupping (Hijama)	Dry cupping
Technique	Suction, small incisions, then suction again	Suction only
Blood drawn	Yes, a small amount	No
Religious basis	A Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ	No specific religious basis
Infection control	Critical: sterile blades, single-use cups and gloves, safe disposal of clinical waste	Standard hygiene
Client screening	Essential, including blood-thinning medication, bleeding disorders and pregnancy	Recommended
Common uses	Pain and tension, wellbeing, following the Sunnah	Muscular tension and recovery

What does the research say?

Most clinical studies group wet and dry cupping together. Systematic reviews suggest cupping may reduce some types of chronic pain, particularly neck and lower back pain, in the short term, but many studies are small and more high-quality research is needed. Claims that either method removes toxins, boosts immunity or balances hormones are not established by current evidence, and we do not make them.

Which course should you take?

If you want to practise the Sunnah and offer Hijama to clients, you need training in wet cupping specifically. The incisions mean infection control, bleeding management, client screening and aftercare are not optional extras. A dry cupping course will not prepare you for any of them.

If you only want to add suction cupping to a massage or sports therapy practice, a dry cupping course may be enough. Many practitioners learn Hijama because it covers both: the cupping points and suction technique are shared, and wet cupping adds the skills that dry cupping leaves out.

For a fuller comparison of providers, read how to choose the right Hijama course and 7 mistakes to avoid when choosing a Hijama course.

Learn wet cupping online

Our Online Hijama Course teaches wet cupping safely and professionally, grounded in the Qur'an, the Sunnah and modern safety standards.

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Complete starter kit included
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Supervised practical assessment
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Written by Taher

Co-Founder, Reviving Hijama Academy

Taher has spent years building expertise across human anatomy, health, training, rehabilitation, and nutrition. Alongside his clinical background, he has studied for years under scholars of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'ah and is deeply grounded in the Islamic sciences. He co-founded Reviving Hijama Academy to bridge the gap between authentic Islamic scholarship and professional clinical Hijama practice.