Hirudotherapy is a method of treatment using health leeches that has been used for centuries. It is a technique used primarily in the treatment of atherosclerosis, hypertension, sciatica and in a variety of physiotherapy treatments. Leeches are used to remove swellings and haematomas. Hirudotherapy provides pain relief, so that the patient recovers much more quickly than with standard treatment methods.
When leeches in physiotherapy are they effective?
Moderate physical activity is advisable on a daily basis. It has many health benefits, but it also carries a risk of injury, not only for amateurs but also for professional athletes. Regardless of safety precautions and warm-ups, the risk of a knocked-out toe, bruising, ligament damage (tearing or complete rupture) must be taken into account. Injuries are often accompanied by pain that prevents normal function. Treatment can be lengthy and a full recovery often takes several months. In order to help the body recover, it is worth turning to natural methods that have been used for centuries and, after consulting a physiotherapist, considering hirudotherapy, i.e. leech therapy.
Advantages of hirudotherapy
Classical physiotherapeutic methods often produce the desired result after quite a long time, leech therapy, in contrast, produces results almost immediately. In addition, leeches effectively cleanse the joint capsules. Thanks to the anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant compounds contained in their saliva, they accelerate the descent of haematomas, restoring damaged tissues to their original state. Medicinal leeches also have an analgesic and vasodilatory effect. They help reduce the swelling and haematomas that accompany common injuries. They are an effective way to treat torn ligaments, sprained ankle and knee joints and a variety of contusions.
Leeches in physiotherapy - course of treatment
Once the patient is qualified for the treatment, the physiotherapist applies leeches to the site of the injury. Depending on the ailment and condition, between 2 and 9 medicinal leeches may be applied at a time. Each leech incises the skin and, by penetrating with its chitinous jaws, sucks on the swelling. The procedure is painless thanks to the anaesthetic substances contained in the leeches' saliva. The whole thing takes about an hour. The leeches themselves fall away from the swelling or are gently removed by the physiotherapist. Blood may ooze from the resulting small wounds for up to several hours, so a protective dressing should be applied. The swelling naturally heals within a few days or so.
Contraindications to treatment
The main contraindication to hirudotherapy is an allergy to substances found in the saliva of leeches, so a blood test must be carried out before treatment. The specialist is required to interview the patient to exclude other contraindications as well. The procedure should not be carried out in patients with immunological deficiencies, blood clotting disorders or severe damage to internal organs. People suffering from anaemia and pregnant women are also excluded.
