Short answer: the main hijama points are the Sunnah points — the upper back between the shoulders (al-kahil) and the two sides of the neck — plus points over the shoulders, shoulder blades, spine, lower back, hips and legs. Tap the interactive chart below to see each point, what it is often chosen for, and how Dr. Siddiqui decides your points.
Tap a numbered point on the body, or choose a concern to highlight the points most often used for it. Gold points with a star are the Sunnah points.
Back view
Tap a numbered point on the body or in the list to read about it.
1 Sunnah point
Between the shoulders, below the base of the neck
The best-known Sunnah point, where the Prophet ﷺ was cupped (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 2051). It is the usual first cup of a Sunnah hijama and a central point for neck and upper-back tension.
2 Sunnah point
The two sides of the back of the neck
Named in the same narration of Anas (Tirmidhi 2051). Used with gentle suction and only after examination, because the neck needs a careful hand.
3 Doctor decides
Crown of the head
A traditional point in Unani practice, often asked about for headaches and heaviness of the head. A small area of hair is trimmed. At our clinic head cupping is used only when Dr. Siddiqui judges it suitable, under his supervision.
4 Common point
Over the trapezius muscle, left and right
The muscle that tightens with desk work, phone use and stress. A favourite point for shoulder stiffness and the tension that often runs up into the head.
5 Common point
Over and between the shoulder blades
Used for upper-back pain, frozen or stiff shoulders and posture strain. Often combined with al-kahil.
6 Common point
Either side of the spine, middle of the back
Points beside — never on — the spine, for mid-back stiffness and general wellbeing sessions.
7 Common point
Either side of the spine, at the waist
The most requested area after the Sunnah points. Used for lower-back pain and stiffness, often with the hip points.
8 Common point
Over the buttock muscles, left and right
Chosen for pain that spreads from the lower back into the buttock and leg, such as sciatica-type pain.
9 Common point
Hamstring muscles, left and right
Used along the path of leg pain and for tight hamstrings in active patients. The area behind the knee is avoided.
10 Common point
Calf muscles, left and right
For calf tightness and cramps, usually as dry cupping. Never over varicose (swollen) veins.
★ Sunnah point1 Common point1 Doctor decides
This chart is a guide. Your actual points are chosen by Dr. Siddiqui after taking your history and examining you — most sessions use about 5 cups.
| Concern | Points often chosen | Typical number of cups |
|---|---|---|
| Sunnah hijama (general) | Al-kahil, plus points chosen at examination | 3–7 |
| Neck and shoulder stiffness | Al-kahil, tops of the shoulders, shoulder blades | 5–7 |
| Headache and heaviness of the head | Al-kahil, sides of the neck, tops of the shoulders; head point only if the doctor advises | 3–7 |
| Upper and mid-back pain | Shoulder blades, mid back | 4–8 |
| Lower back pain | Lower back, hips | 4–8 |
| Sciatica-type leg pain | Lower back, hips, back of the thighs | 6–10 |
| Sports recovery | Shoulders, back, thighs or calves — where you train hardest | 4–10 |
₹200 per cup, consultation free. Use the price calculator to estimate your session.
Points are never picked from a chart alone. This is how your plan is made.
Where it hurts, how long, what makes it worse, your medicines and reports.
Posture, tender and tight areas, range of movement, and the skin where cups will go.
Sunnah points if you wish, plus the points for your complaint — usually about 5 cups.
Wet cupping (hijama) or dry cupping on each point, depending on your health and the area.
Points are adjusted at follow-up sessions according to how you have responded.
| Mark colour | What it usually means | Typically fades in |
|---|---|---|
| Light pink or no mark | Little tightness under the cup; good circulation in that area | Hours to 1 day |
| Bright red | Increased blood flow to the area — very common | 2–4 days |
| Dark red | More congestion or muscle tightness in the area | 4–7 days |
| Purple or dark purple | Long-standing tightness; often lighter at later sessions | 5–10 days |
| Very dark or black-purple | Marked congestion, often in a first session | 7–14 days |
Marks are not burns or injuries — they come from the suction and fade on their own. In Unani and traditional practice, darker marks are read as more stagnation, and patients often see them become lighter over a course of sessions. More: what cupping colours mean.
Knowing where not to cup is as important as knowing the points. Our clinic follows clear rules, so every session is safe and comfortable.
If you have any of these, tell us at booking: blood thinners, diabetes with skin problems, pregnancy, a recent operation, or a skin condition in the area.
The commonest hijama points sit over the large muscles of the neck, shoulders and back — exactly the areas where published studies show cupping relieves pain and stiffness.
A meta-analysis of 18 trials found cupping reduced neck pain and improved function compared with no treatment. Side effects were mostly mild and temporary.
Across 18 trials and 1,172 patients, cupping produced a large short-term reduction in chronic pain compared with no treatment.
A review of 22 studies found evidence that cupping improves soft-tissue flexibility and supports its use for back and neck pain, with a very low rate of side effects.
A review of 135 randomised trials found cupping — alone or combined with other treatment — effective for conditions including herpes zoster, facial paralysis, acne and cervical spondylosis, with no serious side effects reported.
Tap a card to see the fact.
The upper back between the shoulders (al-kahil) and the two sides of the neck (al-akhda‘ayn), from the narration of Anas in Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 2051. See hijama in Islam.
Usually al-kahil, between the shoulders. Other points are added for your complaint.
Most sessions use about 5 cups; it can range from 3 to 10 depending on your examination.
Lower-back points either side of the spine, often with the hip points; for upper-back pain, the shoulder blades and mid back.
Al-kahil, the tops of the shoulders and the shoulder blades are the core points.
Yes, the crown of the head is a traditional point. At our clinic it is used only when Dr. Siddiqui judges it suitable.
No, the points are the same. Female therapists and a private room are available.
Light marks mean little tightness; darker red or purple marks usually mean more congestion. They fade in a few days to two weeks — see the colour chart above.
You can tell us what you would like, such as the Sunnah points. The doctor then confirms the points that are safe and suitable for you.
Most patients feel a tight pulling from the suction and small quick scratches in wet cupping; it is well tolerated.
Largely yes. Some areas, such as the calves, are usually treated with dry cupping.
₹200 per cup, consultation free — about ₹1,000 for a typical 5-cup session.
The hadith, the Sunnah points and practice.
Read moreLive calendar of the 17th, 19th and 21st.
See datesHow wet cupping is done here.
Learn moreWhat is normal after a session.
Read more₹200 per cup — estimate your session.
See prices100 m from Okhla Vihar metro.
Get directionsBook a free consultation. Dr. Siddiqui examines you and plans your points before anything is done.