Hijama (wet cupping) in Tampa
Hijama is wet cupping: cups and suction on the skin, with small, shallow cuts so a little blood is drawn into the cup.
Hijama $149 per session · dry cupping $125 — self-pay, assessment and aftercare guidance included. 150+ Google reviews, every one of them five stars
Many of our patients come to it as a Sunnah practice and want it done properly. At Lavena Health it is performed by Dr. Chanelle Azar, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and NCCAOM board-certified practitioner, inside our physician-owned clinic in Temple Terrace.
Hijama and dry cupping
Both use cups placed on the skin with suction. Dry cupping stops there and does not break the skin. Hijama adds small, shallow cuts, so a small amount of blood flows into the cup. Dr. Azar explains both at your visit and helps you decide which one fits what you are looking for. The longer comparison is in dry cupping vs. Hijama.
What the evidence says
We would rather you hear this from us. According to the NIH's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, cupping may help reduce pain, but the evidence for this is not very strong, and there is not enough high-quality research to draw conclusions about other conditions. Hijama is not a treatment for any disease, and it does not replace medical care. If something you describe needs a physician first, Dr. Azar will say so, and our physicians are in the same clinic.
Risks, said plainly
Cupping leaves round marks on the skin, and the discoloration can persist. Other reported risks include scarring, burns, infection and worsening of eczema or psoriasis, and repeated wet cupping has rarely been linked to anemia. Equipment that is shared or not properly sterilized can spread bloodborne infections, which is one reason to have Hijama done only in a clinical setting by a licensed practitioner.
Tell Dr. Azar before your session if you take blood thinners, have anemia or a bleeding disorder, are pregnant, or have a skin condition where the cups would go. If you see another clinician soon after, mention the cupping, because the marks can be mistaken for injury.
Booking a session
Hijama is $149 per session and dry cupping $125, self-pay, with no membership. If you prefer a particular day of the Islamic month, mention it when you book. The clinic is at 5340 E 131st Ave, Suite 106, Temple Terrace, with free parking at the door. See cupping and Hijama in Temple Terrace, in Tampa, or acupuncture with Dr. Azar.
Common questions
How much does Hijama cost?
Hijama is $149 per session at Lavena Health, self-pay, including your assessment and aftercare guidance. Dry cupping is $125. No membership is required.
Who performs Hijama at Lavena?
Dr. Chanelle Azar, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and NCCAOM board-certified practitioner, performs every Hijama and cupping session.
Will Hijama leave marks?
Yes. Cupping leaves round marks on the skin, and the discoloration can last. Mention recent cupping to any other clinician you see.
Who should not have Hijama?
Tell Dr. Azar first if you take blood thinners, have anemia or a bleeding disorder, are pregnant, or have eczema, psoriasis or another skin condition where the cups would go. She decides with you whether it is appropriate.
Is Hijama a treatment for a medical condition?
No. Cupping may help reduce pain, but the research is limited, and Hijama does not replace medical care. If you have symptoms that need a diagnosis, our physicians can see you first.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Chanelle Azar, DOM · Last reviewed July 6, 2026
This page is for general education and isn't medical advice. Every session starts with an assessment by Dr. Azar, who refers you to one of our physicians first if anything you describe needs medical review. Individual results vary. Call (813) 805-8917 or book a consultation to see what's right for you.