A randomized controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Hijamah (wet cupping) in Irq-un-Nasa (Sciatica)

Mohd. Yaqoob; Yasmeen Shamsi; Md. Wasi Akhtar; Roohi Azam; Abhinav Jain; Sohrab Ahmad Khan

doi:10.5455/jrtm.2022/135439

2026, Vol: 12, Issue: 1

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Online Published: 21 Feb 2022

J. res. tradit. med. 2022; 8(1, Jan- June 2022): 13-22

doi: 10.5455/jrtm.2022/135439

A randomized controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Hijamah (wet cupping) in Irq-un-Nasa (Sciatica)

Mohd. Yaqoob, Yasmeen Shamsi, Md. Wasi Akhtar, Roohi Azam, Abhinav Jain, Sohrab Ahmad Khan.

Cited By: 1

Abstract
Background: Sciatica is “pain in the lower back and hip which radiates to the distribution of the sciatic nerve due to its affection”. In the Unani system of medicine, sciatica is known as Irq-un-Nasa; Hijamah (wet cupping) is recommended as one of the treatment options for its management. In the modern system of medicine, sciatica is treated by NSAIDs and/or spinal surgery.

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Hijamah to manage sciatica.

Materials and Methods: This was an open-label, prospective, and randomized controlled clinical study. Hijamah (wet cupping) was done on Warik (gluteal depression) and Fakhiz (lateral aspect of mid-thigh) of the affected side in group A patients (n=27); and on Saaq (over calf muscle) and Kaab (below lateral malleolus) in group B patients (n=25) on day 0, day 14 and day 28.

Results: The pain (VAS score) was reduced from 65.52 ±8.90 to 20.18±10.96 (p<0.001) in group A; 65.40±9.03 to 21.00±10.99 (p<0.001) in group B patients. The bothersomeness (SBI score) was reduced from 14.67±4.21 to 5.37±3.00 (p<0.001) in group A patients; 14.88±3.28 to 4.00±2.87 (p<0.001) in group B patients. The disability (MSBQ score) was reduced from 7.33±1.46 to 1.63±1.04 (p<0.001) in group A patients; 7.36±2.32 to 1.24±1.01 (p<0.001) in group B patients.

Conclusion: The study has revealed that Hijamah (wet cupping) is an effective regimen and treatment modality for the treatment of Sciatica, and Hijamah can be adopted as a better alternative to NSAIDs and spinal surgery.

Key words: Cupping therapy; Hijamah; Irq-un-Nasa; Maine Seattle Back Questionnaire (MSBQ); Sciatica; Sciatica Bothersomeness Index (SBI)

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How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Yaqoob M, Shamsi Y, Akhtar MW, Azam R, Jain A, Khan SA. A randomized controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Hijamah (wet cupping) in Irq-un-Nasa (Sciatica). J. res. tradit. med. 2022; 8(1, Jan- June 2022): 13-22. doi:10.5455/jrtm.2022/135439

Web Style

Yaqoob M, Shamsi Y, Akhtar MW, Azam R, Jain A, Khan SA. A randomized controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Hijamah (wet cupping) in Irq-un-Nasa (Sciatica). https://www.tmjournal.org/?mno=135439 [Access: June 27, 2026]. doi:10.5455/jrtm.2022/135439

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Yaqoob M, Shamsi Y, Akhtar MW, Azam R, Jain A, Khan SA. A randomized controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Hijamah (wet cupping) in Irq-un-Nasa (Sciatica). J. res. tradit. med. 2022; 8(1, Jan- June 2022): 13-22. doi:10.5455/jrtm.2022/135439

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Yaqoob M, Shamsi Y, Akhtar MW, Azam R, Jain A, Khan SA. A randomized controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Hijamah (wet cupping) in Irq-un-Nasa (Sciatica). J. res. tradit. med. (2022), [cited June 27, 2026]; 8(1, Jan- June 2022): 13-22. doi:10.5455/jrtm.2022/135439

Harvard Style

Yaqoob, M., Shamsi, . Y., Akhtar, . M. W., Azam, . R., Jain, . A. & Khan, . S. A. (2022) A randomized controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Hijamah (wet cupping) in Irq-un-Nasa (Sciatica). J. res. tradit. med, 8 (1, Jan- June 2022), 13-22. doi:10.5455/jrtm.2022/135439

Turabian Style

Yaqoob, Mohd., Yasmeen Shamsi, Md. Wasi Akhtar, Roohi Azam, Abhinav Jain, and Sohrab Ahmad Khan. 2022. A randomized controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Hijamah (wet cupping) in Irq-un-Nasa (Sciatica). JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE, 8 (1, Jan- June 2022), 13-22. doi:10.5455/jrtm.2022/135439

Chicago Style

Yaqoob, Mohd., Yasmeen Shamsi, Md. Wasi Akhtar, Roohi Azam, Abhinav Jain, and Sohrab Ahmad Khan. "A randomized controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Hijamah (wet cupping) in Irq-un-Nasa (Sciatica)." JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE 8 (2022), 13-22. doi:10.5455/jrtm.2022/135439

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Yaqoob, M., Shamsi, . Y., Akhtar, . M. W., Azam, . R., Jain, . A. & Khan, . S. A. (2022) A randomized controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Hijamah (wet cupping) in Irq-un-Nasa (Sciatica). JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE, 8 (1, Jan- June 2022), 13-22. doi:10.5455/jrtm.2022/135439

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