In a recent telecast from Libyan TV I came to understand that the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, treated himself by some sort of acupuncture therapy done behind the shoulders of the human body. I heard this before but not in full. Please clarify this further.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

We did not know that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ever used acupuncture therapy.  However, it is proved in the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) that he practiced cupping on his head due to migraine headaches.

It is reported in the book of Imaam Ahmad that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, cupped on both sides of his neck and on his back between his shoulders. [Ahmad]

In brief, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to cup and permitted its use; he said: “Cure is in three things: in drinking honey, in cupping and in cauterization. I prevent my Ummah from cauterization.” [Al-Bukhari]

Allaah Knows best.