In what condition is it used?

Hirudotherapy, hirudoreflexotherapy (treatment with leeches using reflexogenic points) is a therapeutic method tried for many centuries in the practice of doctors of all specialties. If our ancestors used leeches (hirudo medicinalis) only to regulate blood pressure, for brain concussions, trauma, to get rid of dizzy spells, curses, to calm hysterical attacks, nowadays the list of conditions that are treated by hirudotherapy has grown considerably. 

There are 30 biologically active substances in leech saliva

Scientific research at this time confirms the therapeutic power of hirudin (the substance found in leech saliva) on the human body. In addition to hirudin, there are 30 other biologically active substances in leech saliva that cannot be synthesized or artificially created. From the moment the leech begins to suck blood the therapeutic effect on pathologically altered organs begins to appear, after which a series of mechanisms for normalization of microcirculation begin to act; In particular, it involves the mechanism of removal of vascular spasms, and also the mechanism of exacerbation of hemorrhage, which helps to more rapidly distribute the assimilation structure to the target organs (organs with a pathological focus). 

Combined with herbal medicine, hirudotherapy can increase the effectiveness of treatment by 1.5 times. Oriental medicine has proven the existence of special areas (points) on the skin that are closely connected to the internal organs. This involves the action of the reflexogenic point, responsible for one organ or another in the human body, through the intervention of a mechanical influence (leeching sting), plus the injection into the blood system of leeching saliva – a complex of 30 biologically active ferments, which have therapeutic properties (anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, blood purifying, pain-relieving and metabolism-enhancing), normalizing the hormonal background.

Complications of cardiovascular disease are prevented

The therapeutic ability of leeches is based on three factors. Firstly, the leech will bite the reflex points carefully chosen by the therapist. Secondly, the leech will introduce saliva into the bloodstream which is made up of a range of physiologically active substances, an action that leads to normalization of the pathological process. Thirdly, the leech produces mechanical blood discharge. This also ensures the free pumping of blood by the leech and the hemorrhage that continues after the leech detaches. 

Hypertension, stenocardia, pre-infarction condition, ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis create an incomplete list of vascular system pathologies. The use of leeches is recommended as a very effective therapeutic means. They can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, but excluding anticoagulants.

 In atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels, heart disease, thrombosis, and cerebrovascular embolism, leeches can not only be used as a treatment method but can also prevent possible complications of these diseases.

Hirudotherapy is also used with a high success rate in treating and healing inflammatory processes in the kidney, bladder, gallbladder, and liver. Leeches can also be used in gynecology. Hirudotherapy has positive results in diseases such as endometritis, inflammation of the ovaries, mastitis, degenerative changes of the ovaries, sterility. The therapeutic effect is observed quite quickly, pain decreases suddenly, menstrual cycle and temperature normalize.

Haemorrhoid sufferers know how difficult it is to treat and how much discomfort it can cause. Once leech therapy is used, no sufferer will refuse this method in the future as the effect of the treatment can be seen quickly. 

Despite the wide range of treatments available to modern ophthalmologists, those who understand the effectiveness of hirudotherapy choose to turn to the help offered by leeches. It is recommended to use this therapy in inflammatory cases of the circulatory system, in ocular trauma (especially in the case of contusions), in glaucoma, in the case of increased eye tension. 

Since ancient times, leeches have been used to treat disorders of the nervous system. Today, the scope of these pathologies has expanded. Neuralgia, sciatic nerve neuralgia, concussion, peripheral facial nerve paralysis has been added to the neuralgia, sciatic nerve neuralgia, concussion, peripheral facial nerve paralysis, and stomato-neuralgia.

As a prophylactic means after surgery, leeches are also used in surgery. It should also be noted that hirudotherapy accelerates the healing of postoperative stitches, and helps to deflate scars.

In otorhinolaryngology, hirudotherapy has only recently entered as a treatment but has quickly found its place in treating acute auditory nerve neuritis, nasal cavity disorders, and acute otitis externa. 

Leeches have also been used and have had great success in the treatment of skin diseases: in various types of dermatoses, against eczema, in toxicoderma, in skin tuberculosis (lupus), in some cases even against psoriasis. In the case of boils, hirudotherapy is extremely effective and is a painless method of treatment. The swelling, redness, and pain disappear even after the next day of applying leeches. 

Hirudotherapy is also used to treat certain respiratory diseases: obesity in people with lung disease, severe forms of asthma, and pneumonia with respiratory failure.

Recently, hirudotherapy has become very popular in the dental field: for periodontitis, gingivitis, neuralgia, stomatitis.

Hirudotherapy sessions lower blood toxins

After the mandatory examination has taken place and the client’s condition is determined, the therapist determines the number of leeches needed, the area and points where they are to be applied (for example, the areas where the veins are seen on the head – in the case of hypertension – or next to the affected vein – in cases of thrombosis), and the number of sessions that will be needed. In some people, the session may take 10-15 minutes, in others – several hours, depending on the severity of the course and the development of the condition. If viruses, toxic products, or microbes are found in the blood, leeches start to spit out a liquid containing these harmful substances. After hirudotherapy the concentration of toxins in the blood is reduced tenfold. This intervention can be compared to the hemodialysis procedure or the operation of an artificial kidney.

The fear that existed in many people before therapy disappears quite quickly. After the first session, the psychological barrier is already overcome. At the end of the session, the leeches will either be given to the client or they will be killed to exclude the possibility of contaminating other people with the infection. The microscopic wound left behind by the leeches heals quickly and remains sterile 48 hours.

In domestic conditions, because leeches are very sensitive to outdoor conditions, they should be kept at room temperature, in a space where there are no strong odors.