Hirudotherapy also known as leech therapy is a method of treatment that uses medicinal leeches to restore the blood circulation, reactivate the damaged tissues and organs, reduce pain, stimulate the metabolic system, increase and strengthen the immune system.
The healing properties of leeches have been known for thousands of years. Leeches were used during medieval times because they were known to heal infections, before antibiotics were discovered.
How does Leech Therapy work?
The principal mechanism of action in leech therapy appears to be the secretion of a complex mixture of biologically active substances from the salivary glands of the leech at the time of biting.
During feeding, the leech will sucks out blood and toxins, at the same time, they inject its saliva which contains a mixture of different biologically and pharmacologically active substances into the wound. These include:
1. Hirudin which is an anticoagulant
2. Bdellins (Trypsin-plasmin inhibitor Anti-inflammatory)
3. Destabilase (a clot dissolving thrombolytic)
4. Opio-mimetics (pain reliever (anaesthetic)
5. Calin (a collagen binding anti-coagulant and vasodilator)
What medical conditions are leech therapy used for?
1. Cardio-vascular disease: post stroke, pre-heart attack symptoms and poor blood circulation.
2. Soft tissue injuries (strains/sprained/torn ligaments)
3. Skin conditions such as eczema, lupus and psoriasis.
4. Musculoskeletal pain such as: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and etc.
5. Digestive conditions such as: haemorrhoids, pancreatitis, fatty liver, liver cirrhosis and hepatitis.
6. Obstetrics and gynaecology: poly-cystic ovaries, endometriosis and inflammatory pelvic conditions.
7. Otolaryngology: acute and chronic ear pain,ear infection, vertigo, dizziness, Meniere’s disease and tinnitus.
8. Chronic infections and poor wounds healing commonly seen with diabetic patients
9. Surgeries: skin or limbs grafting
10. Eye conditions: cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma
11. Cosmetic: anti-aging, baldness and varicose veins.
Are there any contraindications for leech therapy?
Yes. Leeches are contraindicated in anaemia, and also in haemophilia and other clotting disorders. If you are taking Aspirin or any blood thinning medications (which inhibits blood clotting), you should avoid leech therapy. In addition, leeches cannot be used to treat blood-borne infections, such as hepatitis B and C, and HIV disease. They are also contraindicated in pregnancy. For cosmetic reasons, leeches should not be used in patients with a tendency to keloid scar formation.