Leech therapy - Hirudotherapy

Treatment with medical leeches

Ancient yet modern

Procedure of leech therapy in my naturopathic practice:

• Initial consultation/anamnesis explanation:Please bring a current blood test with you!
• Second appointment: for treatment (the medical leeches and corresponding accessories are ordered from the Biebertaler Leech Farm according to the indication and individually for the patient and are returned to the pensioners' pond after a single treatment)
  Due to the anticoagulant substances in the leech's saliva, bleeding can occur for 12-24 hours. Strenuous physical activity should therefore be avoided. If the treatment is performed on the extremities (arms/legs), these should be elevated.

  
  

  Subsequent

  Contraindications

  exclude treatment with leeches:

  
  

  • Hemophilia, drug anticoagulation
  • Caution is also advised when taking high-dose fish oil / enzyme preparations / vitamin C / ginkgo biloba preparations
  • Anemia: Erosive gastritis and possible gastrointestinal bleeding, manifest gastric ulcers/erosive gastritis
  • Infectious diseases in the acute stage: acute systematic infections can lead to increased wound healing disorders
  • Serious organ diseases and immunosuppression
  • Severe allergic diathesis: Specific protein allergies / allergic reaction to foreign proteins
  • pregnancy
  • Wound healing disorders / diabetes mellitus:
  • Scarring and keloid tendency
  
  
  

  Image material courtesy of Biebertaler Leech Breeding - bbez
  

Leech therapy is used for various health problems. Some of the most common uses of leech therapy include:

1. Inflammatory diseases: Leeches can be used in inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, gout and rheumatic complaints to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
2. Circulatory disorders: Leech therapy can help improve blood circulation and help with venous disorders such as varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
3. Wound healing: Leeches can be used to improve wound healing and treat scars.
4. Pain management: Leech therapy is also used to relieve acute and chronic pain, especially back pain and muscle tension.
5. Skin conditions: Leeches can be used for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis to reduce inflammation and improve the appearance of the skin.

It is important to note that leech therapy is not suitable for everyone and in some cases there may be contraindications. Before you decide to undergo leech therapy, discuss the best options for you and your situation.



Leech therapy is an alternative treatment method that involves placing leeches on the skin to treat various conditions, such as inflammation, pain, and poor circulation. There are some studies that have investigated the use of leech therapy, although the evidence is limited. Here are some examples of studies on leech therapy:

1. "The efficacy of medical leech therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee: A systematic review and meta-analysis" (2019) - This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the efficacy of leech therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The study concluded that leech therapy can provide significant pain relief and improvement in knee joint function.

2. "The use of leeches in microsurgery" (2019) - This study investigated the use of leeches in microsurgery to promote wound healing and prevent blood clots. The results showed that leech therapy can help improve the healing process in certain microsurgical procedures.

3. "The efficacy of leech therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis" (2018) - This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the efficacy of leech therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. The study found that leech therapy can lead to significant pain relief and improvement in the function of the affected joint.

It is important to note that the evidence for leech therapy is limited and further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety for different applications.