Medicinal leech hirudotherapy
Medicinal Leech Therapy
Medicinal leech therapy or Hirudotherapy is a kind of complementary and integrative treatment method applied with blood-sucking leeches. One or more leeches are attached to the skin of problematic area and the purpose is to gain potential utilities of leech saliva that is secreted while the leeches are feeding.
The leech produces a number of beneficial chemical compounds useful
in medicine including:
- A local anaesthetic
- A blood thinner (anticoagulant) which open the blood vessels, increases the blood flow and prevents clotting
- A chemical to reduce swelling
- An antibiotic that kills other harmful bacteria and therefore aids wound healing
From ancient treatment Hirudotherapy is making a comeback in Ireland as an increasing number of people are looking for drug-free solutions for their health conditions.
Hirudotherapy takes part in the processes of Cleaning the Body, Regeneration and Supporting the Systems in the treatment triad. It is effective on physical, chemical and electrical body structures. It is aimed to clean the blood containing heavy metals and free radicals accumulated in the connective tissue of the Physical Body, to accelerate the blood circulation.
With the leeches placed on the acupuncture points, it is ensured that the “qi” energy in the Channel Body circulates smoothly in all the meridians, and the irregularities in the Electrical Body are eliminated.
BENEFITS OF HIRUDOTHERAPY
Physical and mental relaxation, improvement in circulation and blood flow, relief of pain, treatment of skin problems, regeneration of brain cells and healing of nerve tissue, relieves the digestive system, joints are strengthened, performance increase in sexual power.
APPLICATIONS OF LEECHING
Arthritis, relief of pain and to reduce inflammation General state of fatigue;
Asthma and COPD;
Cardiovascular diseases (Blood clotting, high blood pressure, tachycardia, circulatory disorder, vascular occlusion, stroke, vascular coagulation, DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis);
Diabetes and Goiter; Type 2 Diabetes
Digestive system diseases (gallbladder inflammation and stones, colitis and pancreatitis);
Elimination of aesthetic problems (Wrinkle and wrinkle removal, skin appearance disorder, cellulite, surgical scars);
Elimination of orthopaedic joint problems;
Gynaecological diseases (infertility, inflammatory genital diseases, ovarian inflammation, myoma, cyst).
Haemorrhoid treatment;
Lipomas;
Migraines;
Nervous System diseases (Epilepsy, paralysis, nerve ruptures, nerve root inflammation);
Psoriasis;
Shingles;
Skin problems (Adolescent acne, boils and skin abscess, hair loss, eczema and psoriasis);
Stroke;
Tumors;
Urological diseases (prostate problems, kidney stone, kidney inflammation, varicocele);
HOW MANY DAYS IS LEECH THERAPY APPLIED?
It is usually applied in 1 session per week although it varies according to the condition of the disease and the patient. In some cases, 3 or 4 sessions a week may be necessary.
There is a defined protocol for treating different diseases and conditions with leaches. The areas where the leaches are placed, the number of leeches used, and the number of sessions vary depending upon the condition being treated.
The application of a leech can take 10-60 minutes. Once the leech is attached, it will likely remain safely in place until fully distended. It will drop off usually within 30-60 minutes.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Leech therapy is typically not painful, although there is a slight biting sensation, such as a pinprick at the first moment, however thanks to the local anaesthetic substances secreted by saliva of the leech, no pain is felt during the procedure. They will feed for a period of 10 minutes to an hour before falling off, and new leeches will be attached periodically over the course of several days until their assistance is no longer needed for proper circulation.
The bleeding is stopped with the dressing applied after the procedure. Dressings should not be removed, swimming and showering should be avoided for 24 hours.
One leech will withdraw approximately one teaspoon of blood. For the next 12-48 hours, the site will discharge – it depends upon the person – up to about 16 tablespoons.
OUR LEECHES
In order to provide 100% sterile and healthy leeches, we use cultivated leeches provided by medicinal leech farms.
Each leech is used only once, so during a session of hirudotherapy the possibility of contracting infections transmitted through blood (such as HIV, hepatitis, etc.) is excluded.
After detachment or removal from the patient, leeches are treated as contaminated biohazard material and disposed.
IS LEECH THERAPY SAFE?
It is an extremely safe treatment method when applied by specialist physicians under appropriate conditions.
CONTRAINDICATIONS OF LEECH THERAPY
- Absolute haemophilia
- Pregnancy
- Leukaemia
- Anaemia
- Arterial insufficiency
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Previous exposure to leeches (because of risk for allergic reaction)
WHAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE TREATMENT OF LEECHES?
- Blood thinners (like “Aspirin”) should not be used for 3 days before the treatment and should not be hungry longer than 4 hours.
- The dressings should remain for 24 hours after the treatment, and during this period, one should not take a shower, swim or steam room
DOES LEECH THERAPY HAVE SIDE EFFECTS?
Hirudotherapy is not a practice that can have serious side effects when applied by trained physician under the right conditions. In people with sensitive skin, structure, slight redness, crusting, and bleeding lasting up to 12 hours can be seen. Reactions may also occur in allergic bodies.
The following adverse effects can occur during or after leech treatment:
- Mild pain during treatment
- Some discomfort
- Prolonged bleeding from bite site
- Itching and reddening of skin around the leech bite
- Temporary enlargement of lymph nodes
- Pigmentation disorders / scarring at bite site
- Bruise
- Temporary swelling of treated part of the body
- Slight rise in temperature
COMPLICATIONS OF LEECH THERAPY
- Skin infection (Very rare. The most-reported complication related to leech therapy is an infection that would be easily controlled by prophylactic antibiotics.)
- Allergy (Possibly 1 person per 100. Allergy would be easily controlled by antihistamine medications)
- Prolonged bleeding (Very rare bleeding longer than 12 hours. Cupping on the bite site would help to suction more blood or allow the blood to flow for a while and then dress it. In some cases we would use Tranexamic acid or QuikClot gauze which promotes blood clotting rapidly without re-bleeding)
PRICE AND DURATION
The price of leech therapy consists of the number of sessions obtained plus the price of the medicinal leeches used.
The duration of a session is up to one hour. Please note: Full session price is payable, even if the duration of the treatment does not reach its limit of one hour.
The number of leeches used is dependent on the nature of the condition treated and the area affected. It can range from one to ten leeches.
First session – trial setting – checking for the absence of a conflict in the body in order to avoid allergic reactions – FREE OF CHARGE.
Price list below offers a choice of 5/10/15 sessions which include one leech applied per session. In some cases it would be advisory use of a number of leeches, in those cases additional charge of €12 per leech will be applied.
