Why Leech Therapy?
Leech therapy or hirudotherapy is the use of leeches to treat a variety of illnesses such as dental problems, nervous system abnormalities, skin infection, and diseases. The leech saliva is the one known to prevent or cure the diseases as it contains over 100 beneficial bioactive substances and enzymes. Therapy is done by allowing the leeches to attach themselves to your skin, then they will burrow into the tissues and feed off your blood.
In modern medicine, it is now used in microsurgery and plastic surgery when there is venous congestion and it works when the leeches secrete proteins and peptides that prevent blood clots hence keep blood flow to the wounds for healing purposes. They also suck off the excess blood which helps reduce swelling of tissues hence fresh oxygenated blood flow to the affected area until normal circulation is restored.
The leeches are not dangerous hence won’t cause serious body harm and they don’t suck a lot of blood from the body. The pain from a leech is very minimal and can be compared to a sting that lasts for about 1-5 minutes but there is a natural anesthesia from the leech that sets in the bite. There may be some itchiness on the site of the bite but patients are normally advised against scratching the area as it may delay the healing process instead they should use a vinegar wrap or cold moist wrap.
How does leech therapy works
During leech therapy, live leeches attach themselves to the target area and then draw blood until they become full and then they fall off and start digesting the blood they have sucked. They release an anesthesia when they are sucking blood hence it makes difficult for one to feel pain when the leeches bite and they use mucus and suction to stay on their host. On open wounds, they release proteins and peptides which help thin blood hence prevent clotting, improve circulation and prevent tissue death. The leeches leave a Y- shaped wound that will heal without forming a scar.
Examples of components found in the saliva include:
- Hirudin which acts as an anticoagulant agent
- Calin which inhibits blood coagulation
- Destabilase which dissolves fibrin clots and inhibits the formation of thrombus.
- Factor Xa inhibitor which restrains the coagulation effect of the Factor Xa coagulation.
- Hyaluronidase which enhances the viscosity of the intestinal fluid.
- Acetylcholine, histamine-like substances and carboxypeptidase A inhibitors which have a vasodilation effect and they increase the blood flow by dilating the constricting vessels.
What does leech therapy do
Leech therapy is known to:
- Helps relieve venous congestion especially in transplant surgery.
- They help nourish an amputated limb. stop swelling and also fresh blood to follow into the reconnected limb hence staying alive.
- It helps relieve pain and swelling in patients with osteoarthritis
- Can be used as a cleansing way or detoxification as the leeches suck away the “bad blood.”
How effective is leech therapy
Leech therapy is effective in treating because of the leech saliva which has special chemicals which when they are harvested, are made into pharmaceutical drugs and treat conditions such as varicose veins, hypertension, arthritis, skin problems, and hemorrhoids.
Leeches are effective for treating:
- Cardiovascular diseases where the hirudin enzyme is used as an anticoagulant for people suffering from heart attack and stroke and it also stimulates segmental reflex mechanisms. The saliva breaks up the blood clots and increases blood flow.
- arthritis by working as a natural anesthetic and through a natural process it removes the infected blood while releasing therapeutic enzymes which work effectively in reducing pain and inflammation from the joints. The entire process is relaxing.
- Alopecia by increasing the blood circulation which helps in the delivery and concentration of nutrients hence making the hair follicles strong and it assists in the promotion of hair growth. The leeches are placed on the thinning or bald areas. If balding is caused by infection, the leeches produce an antibacterial component that helps fight the fungal infection.
- Diabetes where the hirudin enzyme which suppresses blood clotting prevents blood clots forming which is a common occurrence in people with diabetes. It also thins out the blood and allows increased blood circulation hence reducing pressure on the blood vessels and heart.
- Hearing and ear problems which may be caused by a vascular problem or infection. Leeches by use of their anesthetic enzyme, they desensitize the area then release beneficial enzymes into the bloodstream hence preventing blood coagulation and dissolve blood clots. Antibacterial enzymes are also released to kill any bacteria causing infection and the antibacterial agents boost the immune system and fight off further infection.
- Endometriosis, where the hirudin enzyme allows free flow of blood into the blood hence toxins, are flushed out. The saliva also has anti-inflammatory enzymes which help in reducing inflammation hence blood flows free into the vessels which are also dilated by the vasodilator enzyme found in the leech saliva.
- Eye inflammation where the leech sucks out the blood hence reducing inflammation, pressure and lessens post inflammatory complications.
- It is also known to help in the treatment of severed body parts such as finger, toe, leg, nose or ear where a surgeon may have a problem in suturing veins because they are thin-walled and fragile.
Leech therapy cost
The total cost of leech therapy consists of the session price plus the number of leeches that have been used. At times you may need a series of sessions so that healing is complete but it is worth the cost of leech therapy is an effective alternative to medicine.
