What to Expect in Your First Hijama Session in Nairobi

Before the session

Once you book, we confirm your location and time, and share simple preparation steps. The most important ones: avoid a heavy meal for two to three hours before the session, drink water through the day, and set aside a quiet room. If you take medication or have a health condition, mention it when booking — some situations call for adjusting or postponing treatment, and we would rather tell you honestly in advance.

The consultation

Every session starts with a conversation, not a cup. Your practitioner asks about your complaint, health history, medications, and what you hope to get from the session. This determines whether dry or wet cupping is appropriate, where cups will be placed, and how many. Women are attended by our certified female practitioner and men by our male practitioner.

During the session

For dry cupping, sterile cups are placed on prepared skin and gentle suction is applied — most people describe a firm pulling sensation that quickly becomes relaxing. For wet Hijama, an initial dry-cup stage is followed by very light, superficial incisions with a sterile single-use blade, then the cups are reapplied to draw a small, controlled amount of blood.

A typical first session takes 45 to 60 minutes including consultation. Gloves, clean coverings, and single-use consumables are used throughout, and everything is disposed of safely.

Aftercare

Expect circular marks that fade over three to ten days — they are normal and not bruises in the ordinary sense. For the rest of the day: hydrate steadily, eat light and warm, avoid strenuous exercise and hot showers, and rest early. Your practitioner leaves you with specific aftercare guidance before departing.

• Drink water steadily for the rest of the day
• Keep meals warm and light; avoid heavy or cold food
• No gym, heavy lifting, or hot showers for 24 hours
• Sleep early — rest is part of the treatment