leech therapy

Leech therapy is one of the diversion procedures. These go back to the humoral pathology, according to which the person carries different juices in itself and then is ill when these juices occur in an imbalance in the body. In order to cure this so-called dyscrasia, certain diversion methods have been and are being used, with the help of which the harmful substances are released from the organism to the outside. In leech therapy, leeches are applied to the skin to heal, relieve and expel various diseases from the body.

The leech therapy is a very old form of therapy. Already some 3,000 years ago, this naturopathic method of treatment was used in the Orient, as the present record of the Babylonians shows. More detailed descriptions were written about 500 years before Christ in Sanskrit. About 200 years before Christ there were the first leech treatments in Europe, performed by the Greeks. In the 18th century, around one hundred leeches a year were performed in France. At the time, this method was called vampirism. At that time, this therapy was very discredited, as it was quite arbitrary, without taking into account the initial situation of the patients, was performed, also with too many leeches. In recent years, however, the leech therapy experienced a rebirth and is now increasingly used in naturopathic practices and now and then in conventional medicine.

Contents:
leech therapy
leech
Effect of leech therapy
Leeches that may be used
Performing a leech treatment
When does a leech therapy help?
Contraindications
How leeches are cared for
After the leech therapy
side effects

leech

Leeches are two to four inches tall. They are relatives of the earthworm and belong to the genus of the belt worms. Their habitat is freshwater. They have three jaws, all of which have big teeth. The bite of a leech is similar to a three-rayed star. These little creatures are bred in special farms. Later, in practice, they must be stored in a cool, dark and quiet place.

A leech is never used a second time: since it absorbs the blood of patients, which may contain bacteria or viruses, the animals are disposed of after treatment. This is extremely important so that no diseases can be transmitted.

More than 2000 years ago, leeches were used for medical purposes. Image: Gerhard Seybert / fotolia.com

Effect of leech therapy

In the treatment of leech, the active ingredients of the leeches are in the foreground. These little animals synthesize different substances that can have a positive effect on the healing. Eight important substances are known in their effects. These are substances that can be anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and Gewebelockernd.

By the leech therapy the lymph flow is stimulated. Deposits in the lymphatics are removed, so that the lymph (pale yellow body fluid) can flow better again. The followers of this old form of therapy also speak of an analgesic effect, which is also superior to an antisteroidal therapy. In addition, the leech have active ingredients that can have a relaxing and antispasmodic effect. Swelling and accumulation of water can also be reduced with the help of leech therapy.
The effect of the leech therapy is similar to the bloodletting, except that the substances of the leeches bring with it an additional effect.

Leeches that may be used

Strict requirements of the Medicines Act require that only leeches from breeding establishments undergoing continuous testing be used. There are eight leeches in the world that can be used for medical purposes, compared to only two in Europe. The leeches triple in size after treatment and can increase their weight tenfold.

Performing a leech treatment

The skin should not be soaped or creamed at the selected sites three days before treatment. Since the leeches are extremely sensitive to odors, the skin must first be cleaned with water only. Smokers and patients who take certain medications, such as beta-blockers, or are very stressed, may find it hard to catch the leeches. Scoring the skin can help here.

The patient should be comfortable and comfortable with the treatment since the therapy can take up to two hours. The therapist prepares necessary accessories before starting. Everything should happen in peace, since the leeches are extremely sensitive to stress.

To stimulate blood circulation, skin areas are rubbed with a damp cloth before treatment. In localized diseases, the leeches are also applied to the diseased site, for example in the area of ​​a joint. If it is a systemic disease that affects the whole body, such as in hypertension (high blood pressure), the leeches are set in places where a reflex effect is to be expected. Never put a leech directly on the site of inflammation or on a vein. In this case, a nearby location is chosen.

The leech is removed from the jar with tweezers and placed on the selected skin. The leech emits a secretion at the first bite, which opens the pores of the skin. This allows it to penetrate the skin better. The bite is not more painful than a little prick. During a session, about two to ten leeches are used simultaneously. In the course of the sucking process, they release their substances, which can act as blood clots, vasodilators, anti-inflammatory and analgesic.
Other forms of therapy in which blood is also withdrawn are, for example, bloodletting and bloody cupping. The difference is that during leech therapy, the active ingredients of the leeches enter the bloodstream, which can support the healing process.

A leech lingers on the body for about twenty to ninety minutes until it drops off by itself. Never should the animals be forcibly removed. The amount of blood withdrawn is about ten to twenty milliliters per leech. That is why this therapy is often referred to as a "miniature release.".

If the leech has fallen off, the wound bleeds a little more. Thereafter, the wound is loosely closed with absorbent dressing. This is part of the treatment and should not be interrupted as it still supports the effectiveness of the leech treatment. The wound is also freed from any germs by the after-bleeding. Bleeding may take up to twenty-four hours. Therefore, in some practices, the patient is asked to stay for a few more hours. The bandage must be changed at the latest the next day.

Leeches should never be torn away. Because while parts of the jaw could remain in the wound. There is also the danger that the leech breaks down and releases the digestive and digestive bacteria into the wound. Sprinkling salt on the leeches, as often mentioned, should also be avoided.
However, if the treatment has to be stopped prematurely for some reason, a wooden spatula is used to lift the head of the leech from different sides in order to remove it carefully. Sometimes, an alcohol-soaked swab helps to place it near the bite.

A used animal must never be used a second time. The leeches should either be placed in alcohol or frozen after treatment to induce their death. Afterwards a disposal as "infection-preventive waste" in commercial waste is recommended. A leech therapy usually only needs to be done once. Rarely, a more frequent application is required.

When does a leech therapy help?

Leeches are used in medicine in plastic and reconstructive surgery. The often persisting stubborn hematomas are treated with leeches. Also, for the decongestion of the lymph after mammary reconstructions (recovery of the breast after surgery) are occasionally set up eels. Conventional medicine recommends antibiotic therapy for prevention.

The leech therapy helps to stimulate the lymphatic flow, to promote blood circulation, to relieve and detoxify. It has anti-inflammatory effects in acute and chronic diseases. In acute inflammation, the effect occurs faster than in chronic diseases, as well as in local limited use better than in diseases that affect the whole organism.

The leech therapy can be used in many different diseases, such as high blood pressure, spider veins, inflammation, joint pain, boils, carbuncles, tinnitus, acute gout attacks, chronic inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis) and the middle ear and much more. A desired detoxification and discharge is supported by leeches. However, the main area of ​​application is venous congestion, varicose veins and thrombophlebitis (superficial phlebitis).

Contraindications

The leech therapy is not a scientifically researched form of therapy. However, it is based on centuries of experience. In people who are very weak and / or suffer from anemia, this miniature jar should not be used. In children and pregnant women is also foreseen from the use of leeches. Other contraindications include blood clotting disorders, diseases in the arterial vascular system, a known allergy to the leech secretions, diabetes and autoimmune diseases.

Now and then a leech treatment leads to allergic reactions, but these are usually short-lived. It is important that only leeches originating from certified leeches or pharmacies are used.

How leeches are cared for

Leeches are kept in a container with screw cap. This must be filled with low-calcium water. In order for the leeches to breathe, the lids are provided with the smallest holes, no larger than one millimeter in diameter. In these containers, the leeches can be kept for several weeks.

Before treatment, the leeches are rinsed with lukewarm water and removed from the jar with tweezers. The hygiene regulations provide for the wearing of disposable gloves.

After the leech therapy

In many practices, the patient has to stay a few hours after the treatment. As the leeches begin to bleed after the fall of the leeches, the wound is covered with a loose but thick bandage. The rebleeding time is four to twenty-four hours. It belongs to the treatment, is important for the healing and contributes to the self-cleaning of the wound. It is important that the association is changed regularly. Most therapists therefore order the patient to change bandages for the next day.

On the day of the leech therapy, the patient should rest and especially pay attention to a sufficient fluid intake. Eventually, an itching arises after the treatment. Unfortunately, it is not allowed to scratch, otherwise the wound could become infected. An injection of 1% lidocaine can help.

side effects

Often the treatment starts with a burning pain. But this only lasts about five minutes. The edges of the bite site may discolour, which remains recognizable for up to two weeks. Frequently, itching occurs in the first three days after the leech therapy. Other side effects include hematoma at the bite site, circulatory problems and lymph node swelling. Scarring is also possible. Side effects that are uncommon or uncommon include prolonged bleeding, delayed wound healing, hypotension, allergic reactions, severe local inflammation and infection. Leech therapies should therefore only be performed by experienced, trained therapists. As part of the therapy is to pay particular attention to the compliance with the hygienic rules. (Sw)