What is Leech Therapy?
Leech therapy or also known as Hirudotherapy is a method of treatment that uses medicinal leeches to restore the blood circulation, reactivate the damaged permeability of tissues and organs, reduce pain, stimulate the metabolic system, increase and strengthen the immune system.
How does Leech Therapy work?
The leech or leeches are placed on various parts of the body depending on the client’s need. The leech will then bite the spot where it has been placed and will start to feed. The feeding can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. During feeding, the leech will inject its saliva which contains a mixture of different biologically and pharmacologically active substances into the wound. These include:
- Hirudin which is an anticoagulant
- Bdellins (Trypsin-plasmin inhibitor Anti-inflammatory)
- Destabilase (a clot dissolving thrombolytic)
- Opio-mimetics (pain reliever (anaesthetic)
- Calin (a collagen binding anti-coagulant and vasodilator)
- When feeding, leeches secrete anticoagulant and vasodilatory agents (antiplatelet agents and factor Xa inhibitors) which allow blood to flow freely to the site, once the leech is detached. (Michalsen 2008).
How will leech therapy benefit me?
Due to the increased blood flow, as well as the anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties, patients can experience a wide range of benefits when using leech therapy. The list of immediate and ongoing benefits includes, but is not limited to:
- Pain relief
- Improved range of movement
- Faster wound healing
- Increased energy
- Better mental wellbeing
Common medical conditions for leech therapy are:
Cardio-Vascular Disease
- Atherosclerosis-thickening of arteries caused by build-up of plaques
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Hypertension
- Myocarditis
- Thrombophlebitis
- Poor blood circulation
Vascular Conditions
- Haemorrhoids
- Varicose veins
- Spider veins
Musculoskeletal Conditions
- Inflammatory conditions such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis
- Non-inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis (ankle, hip, knee, shoulder, small joints).
- Soft tissues injuries: tendonitis, sprained/torn ligaments, and torn muscles
Skin conditions
- Eczema
- Lupus (SLE)
- Psoriasis
- Chronic infections and poor wounds healing commonly seen with diabetic patients
Digestive conditions
- Pancreatitis
- Fatty liver
- Liver cirrhosis
- Hepatitis
Diabetes
The Hirudin substance in leech saliva thins the blood and keeps it from clotting. Since people with diabetes tend to have thicker blood, Hirudin can help relieve the pressure on the heart and cardiovascular system by thinning the blood.
Urinary Tract
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Kidney disease
Obstetrics and gynaecology
- Infertility
- Polycystic ovaries
- Endometriosis and other pelvic inflammatory conditions
Otolaryngology
- Acute and chronic ear pain/infection
- Tinnitus: ringing noise in the ears
- Gradual hearing loss
Eye conditions
- Poor vision
- Cataracts
- Macular degeneration
- Glaucoma
Surgeries
- Skin grafting
- Reattachment of Severed Limbs
Cosmetic
- Anti-aging
- Hair loss
- Postoperative Infection
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