In traditional Arabic and Islamic medicine — often referred to as Unani-Tibb or classic regional folk medicine — abdominal care plays an important role in restoring bodily equilibrium.
The foundational medical theory behind Unani-Tibb (Traditional Islamic/Greco-Arabic Medicine) is that the four bodily humors (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile) need to be in balance (“mizan”).
Moreover, according to Unani-Tibb, if the abdomen becomes stagnant or cold, the humors fall out of balance, leading to illness. Subsequently, manual massage is used to clear these blockages.
Abdominal Therapy
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Abdominal therapy is a traditional form of reproductive and digestive bodywork widely applied across the Middle East.
It uses massage strokes on the abdomen, pelvis, and lower back to realign shifted organs, clear metabolic toxins, and improve blood and lymphatic flow to the liver, stomach, and reproductive organs.
Mind that Unani-Tibb abdominal therapy shouldn’t be confused with Bushra Finch’s Mizan Therapy, although the latter is (partly) derived from this modality.
Postpartum Treatments and Belly Binding
In many Arabic countries and North Africa, traditional abdominal massage is an essential part of the postpartum routine.
Local healers rub the new mother’s abdomen with warming oils (often containing black seed oil or olive oil) to encourage the uterus to safely contract and realign, followed by wrapping the belly tightly with cloth bandages.
Dry Cupping with Massage
While wet cupping is rather used for detoxification of the body, dry cupping combined with abdominal massage is often used to relieve chronic constipation, pull blood flow to the digestive organs, and relieve deep-seated tensions and cramping.
A therapist will gently massage the abdomen using oils and then use light glass or plastic suction cups on key abdominal zones.
