Pain & recurring tension
Back, neck, shoulders, legs or another area that keeps feeling sore, tight or restricted.
Explore pain & tensionAlternative therapy & recovery clinic · St Albans
Pain, recovery & wellbeing support in Hertfordshire.
Hands-on treatment, cupping and Hijama tailored around your pain, recovery and wellbeing goals.
Read our 5-star Google reviews Private clinic Open 7 days Free parking
What brings you here?
Start with the outcome you want, not a treatment name.
Choose the situation that sounds most like you. We will guide you to the most sensible starting session.
Recovery & mobility
Physical overload from training, work or everyday life, or movement that does not feel as free as it should.
Explore recovery & mobilityHijama & cupping
You already know you want wet cupping, dry cupping or traditional fire cupping and want a professional private clinic.
Explore cupping & HijamaStress, wellbeing & standalone Hijama
You are not necessarily injured. Choose physical recovery work or standalone Hijama from £50 if you want wet cupping during a demanding period. Muslims and non-Muslims are welcome.
See stress & Hijama optionsStill unsure?Use the quick treatment finder below and start with what you are feeling.Help me choose
Three clear ways to book
Choose the route that matches what you need.
You do not need to work out every treatment method first. Start with the goal, then we tailor what happens in the session.
Pain, tightness & recoveryFrom £75
Deep Tissue & Muscle Recovery
For tight shoulders, neck pain, back tension, desk or manual-work strain, gym load and recurring muscular tightness.
- 60 minutes for one main area
- 90 minutes for several areas
- Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM), often called muscle scraping, can be added when useful
Wet cuppingFrom £50
Hijama Wet Cupping
For clients who specifically want Hijama for Sunnah practice, general wellbeing or targeted wet cupping.
- Private one-to-one treatment
- Single-use sterile equipment
- Combined recovery + Hijama options available
Cupping onlyFrom £35
Dry or Fire Cupping
For clients who want suction-based cupping without wet cupping or a full Muscle Recovery appointment.
- No scratches or blood removal
- Dry cupping from £35
- Traditional fire cupping available
Still unsure?Use the treatment finder after the reviews, or send us the main area and what you are feeling.Help me choose
Sessions and pricing
Choose the service first. Then choose the size of session.
Deep Tissue & Muscle Recovery is booked by area and time. Hijama is booked by cup coverage. Dry and Fire Cupping are short standalone sessions.
Deep tissue & recovery
One-Area Deep Tissue & Muscle Recovery
Focused deep-tissue-style hands-on work for one main area, with dry cupping, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM) or percussion used where useful.
What is this best for?+
Back, neck, shoulders, glutes, hamstrings, calves or another single focus area.
Most Clients Choose This
One-Area Recovery + Hijama
Focused hands-on muscle work for one main area with Hijama wet cupping included where suitable.
What is this best for?+
One recurring area where you want direct muscular work and wet cupping together.
Several areas
Full-Body Deep Tissue & Muscle Recovery
A longer session for several tight or overloaded areas, using deep tissue work, cupping or Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM) where useful.
What is this best for?+
Heavy training blocks, several problem areas or broader muscular recovery.
Most comprehensive
Full-Body Muscle Recovery + Hijama
Full-body muscle recovery across several areas with Hijama wet cupping included where suitable.
What is this best for?+
Several loaded areas, post-event recovery or a broader recovery reset with Hijama.
Still unsure?Tell us the main area, whether one or several regions are involved, and whether you specifically want Hijama.Ask on WhatsApp
Every session is priced clearly at the point of booking. If you are unsure which option fits, message us before booking and we will point you to the right session.
Visible proof
Read real client feedback before you choose a session.
Live Google reviews from clients who have visited the St Albans clinic. No edited testimonial carousel and no hidden review drawer.
5-star Google reviewsOpen Google profile
Private one-to-one clinicCertified practitionerSingle-use Hijama equipmentOpen 7 days
Not sure what to book?
Start with what you feel, not a treatment technique.
Choose the closest situation below. We will point you towards the simplest sensible starting session without asking you to diagnose yourself.
Likely starting point
One main area feels painful, tight, sore or restricted
Start with One-Area Muscle Recovery. It gives 60 minutes to one main region, with dry cupping or IASTM muscle scraping added only if useful.
One-Area Muscle Recovery · 60 minutes · £75
More ways to find the right page +
Why Herts Cupping is different
One clinic. Several methods. The right combination for you.
Herts Cupping is not built around one treatment. We assess the problem first, then use the methods that make sense for the person in front of us.
That may mean focused hands-on muscle work, dry cupping, muscle scraping, movement work or Hijama depending on what you book, what is suitable and what you actually need.
The method is not the starting point. You are.
Start with the person
Your symptoms, history, activity, previous treatment and goals shape the session.
Use more than one tool
We are not limited to massage or cupping alone, so the session does not have to follow a generic routine.
Keep the choice simple
You choose the appointment route. We explain the techniques and agree the treatment with you before starting.
Looking specifically for sports massage or deep tissue massage?Those familiar hands-on techniques sit within our broader Muscle Recovery approach rather than defining the whole clinic.See sports massage
How our multi-method approach works
The service is what you book. We choose the methods within it.
Hands-on work is usually the base of Muscle Recovery. Other methods are added only when useful, suitable and agreed with you.
The hands-on base
Hands-on muscle work
Sports- and deep-tissue-style hands-on work is the foundation of Muscle Recovery. Pressure is adjusted to the area rather than following a generic massage routine.
How it feels, when it may fit and what to expect +
- Feels like
- Firm, controlled pressure that is adjusted to stay productive rather than simply painful.
- May fit
- Painful or tight backs, neck and shoulders, glutes, hamstrings, calves and other overloaded muscular areas.
- Marks
- Usually no circular cupping marks. Temporary tenderness can occur after firm work.
- Book through
- Included as the foundation of One-Area and Full-Body Muscle Recovery.
Dry cupping or Hijama? Dry cupping is suction only. Hijama breaks the skin and has different preparation and aftercare.+
No incisions
Dry cupping
- Suction only
- No blood removal
- Often used within muscle recovery sessions
- Temporary circular marks are possible
Wet cupping
Hijama
- Suction plus small superficial scratches
- Controlled blood removal
- Standalone or combined with muscle recovery
- Specific preparation and aftercare
What happens at the appointment?
A simple process. You do not have to plan the treatment yourself.
Tell us what is bothering you. We assess the area, agree the approach with you and use only the methods that make sense for that session.
- 01Discuss the problem
Main area, history, training load and previous treatment.
- 02Check the area
We assess where the main tightness sits and whether connected areas need attention.
- 03Agree the treatment
The approach is explained before we start. You remain in control.
- 04Leave with guidance
Marks, aftercare and whether follow-up is worthwhile are explained.
Fresh injury or worsening symptoms?Significant swelling, weakness, numbness, loss of power or unexplained severe pain should be assessed by a GP or physiotherapist before booking.
Who you will work with
A private session, personally delivered.
“I assess what is actually tight, explain the available options and build the session around the main area rather than following the same routine for every client.”
Abdus Shahid
Lead Practitioner · Cupping, Hijama & Recovery
Hijama Cupping TherapyIASTMMyofascial CuppingTrigger Point Therapy
Ladies’ HijamaA female practitioner is available for Hijama sessions only, with limited availability. Please WhatsApp before booking.
Read about the clinic and practitioner
Before your first visit
Practical answers without another long page.
Open only what is relevant. The full guides remain available for preparation, safety and aftercare.
Do I need to choose every treatment method?
No. Choose the appointment by focus area, time and whether you want Hijama. We confirm which methods are suitable before treatment begins.
Should I choose 60 or 90 minutes?
Choose 60 minutes for one main area. Choose 90 minutes when several areas need meaningful time or you want broader full-body muscle recovery.
What should I wear and how should I prepare?
Wear comfortable, loose clothing. For Hijama, leave at least 2 hours after food, stay hydrated and avoid alcohol or heavy training beforehand.
Will cupping leave marks?
Dry, fire and wet cupping can leave temporary round marks. Hijama also leaves small superficial scratch sites. Marks and aftercare are explained first.
When should I contact you before booking?
Message first if you are pregnant, take blood thinners, have a blood disorder, uncontrolled diabetes, active infection, fever or an acute or unexplained condition.
Is this physiotherapy, and can ladies book?
This is hands-on muscle recovery and complementary therapy, not diagnosis or rehabilitation. Female practitioner availability is currently for Hijama only and must be confirmed before booking.
St Albans · Hertfordshire · Open 7 days
You do not need to know the treatment name. Start with what you want help with.
Book online when the route is clear, or message what you are dealing with and we will point you towards the simplest sensible starting option.