Traditional medical technique sucks in Iraqis
By Rahim Sahib

http://www.iraqupdates.com/p_articles.php/article/18362
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Baghdad, 14 June 2007 (AFP)
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Haidar al-Hajam carefully placed the glass jars over the slight
incisions on his patient's back and then began to pump out the air. In
the ensuing vacuum, the thick dark blood slowly oozed out of the cuts
and into the clear containers. "The Assyrians, the Chinese and the
ancient Egyptians all used to practice cupping to draw out the corrupt
blood," said Hajam as he deftly drained a few more spots on his
patient's back in his office in Baghdad's Sadr City slum.

Murtada Abu Ali, 45, has become a regular for this ancient treatment
known by its Arabic name of hijama, or sucking, and says it helps him
in a way no modern medicine can. "I got fed up with the painkillers
doctors were prescribing for my neck ache, so I decided to use hijama
and it's great - I urge others to try it," he said.

Increasingly Iraqis are following this advice and the ancient
technique is finding renewed popularity in central and southern Iraq
as people use it to cope with the stress of the country's unending
bloodshed.

The idea behind cupping, which was promoted by ancient Greek physician
Galen and medieval Islamic philosopher Ibn Sina [known as Avicenna in
the West], is to stimulate the skin and muscles to release toxins and
improve blood and lymph circulation. The process is also believed to
stimulate the release of histamine-like substances in the skin which
boost the immune system.

The immediate result is circular discoloration and bruising where the
glass has been placed, but many patients testify that the process
leaves them feeling rejuvenated.

The technique has long been used in the Arabian countries of the Gulf
and traditionally sections of horn were used, with the vacuum caused
either by the healer sucking out air or burning bits of cotton or
paper to eliminate the oxygen.

Hajam's tools have progressed with the times, however, and are
equipped with tiny pumps to remove the air and grip the skin.

The technique has also been prescribed for fevers and disorders of the
inner organs, including liver, stomach, intestines and kidneys and has
a firm position on the Western alternative medicine scene.

"The percentage of those who recover is very high, especially those
who have diseases of the heart and arteries, as well as diabetes,"
said Hajam, who sees up to 30 patients a day.

At first, Hajam asks the patient where it hurts and then places his
cup on the spot, sucks out the air, and leaves it for a few minutes,
before removing the cup. He then makes a number of small cuts,
replaces the cup and once again sucks out the air, bleeding the wound
for several minutes before sterilizing and bandaging the spot.

The back is the most common area to be cupped, because the "blood
stream is slow there and a continuous bleeding is ruled out,
furthermore it is less sensitive than other areas," Hajam explained.
"Prophet Mohammad himself used hijama. It is for many diseases, from
headache to arthritis and sciatica, even for sterility for men and
women."

The technique was also traditionally used by the historic pearl divers
of the Gulf to prevent diseases before they embarked on their three-
month-long pearling expeditions at sea.

"I sought out many physicians but they were all useless, so I decided
to try this," said Abu Tariq, 56, now one of Hajam's regulars. "I feel
energetic and revived now and will continue doing it."

Mushtaq Razzaq, 20, said it was his uncle who turned him on to the
technique. "Before I was always sluggish for no apparent reason, but
now I feel this wonderful change come over my body," he said.

Who loves ya.
Tom

Jesus Was A Vegetarian!
http://jesuswasavegetarian.7h.com

Man Is A Herbivore!
http://tinyurl.com/a3cc3

DEAD PEOPLE WALKING
http://tinyurl.com/zk9fk

take an elastic band, one which will *completely* stop blood flow, and
place it around your neck.  leave it on until you stop posting stupid
emails!