Leech therapy (leech therapy, hirudotherapy or leech therapy) is a technique in traditional Iranian medicine that can be useful in small surgeries, blood coagulation, and the treatment of some diseases such as venous disorders, varicose veins, and abscesses.. Of course, in ancient Egypt, it seems that leech therapy was also used for nerve problems, skin diseases and centuries.. Leeches are back, they have returned to the field of medicine and have something to say.... in this article from GCORP LLC We want to know what leech therapy is, what it is used for, how it is performed and what side effects it may have.

What is leech therapy?

In this technique, the leech is the most important tool you need for treatment.... Leeches are ringworms that produce certain peptides and proteins.... These substances prevent blood from clotting.... That's why it is said that leech has anti-clotting properties.

What is leech therapy for?

The use of leech therapy can be summarized in the following:

Improving blood circulation

This technique can improve poor blood flow in different parts of the body and increase it.... The saliva of this worm contains a substance called hirudin, which has anti-coagulant properties... This substance can effectively help blood flow.

Treatment of injuries caused by plastic surgery

Sometimes leech therapy can improve the results of plastic and cosmetic surgeries.... In this situation, blood supply to the affected areas is done with better quality, and this reduces the complications caused by surgery.

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Treatment of venous diseases

Varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and chronic venous insufficiency are among the medical conditions that leech therapy can be effective in curbing.... because it helps to reduce venous congestion and improve overall blood flow.

Arthritis and joint pain

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of leech saliva help reduce pain and inflammation in conditions such as arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis and relieve symptoms.

Detoxification

Some expert doctors claim that you can detoxify the body with leech therapy.... If you need guidance in this field, you can ask them your questions by getting an online consultation from a GCORP LLC internist.... GCORP LLC doctors will provide you with more detailed information according to your conditions.

Chronic skin diseases

It seems that leech therapy can be beneficial for some skin problems such as psoriasis and eczema due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

What leeches are used for leech therapy?

Doctors use medical leech for this purpose... There are different types of medical leech, which is the Hirudo Medicinal type, which is mostly used in Iran... Other types include the following:

• leeches with red bellies.
• leeches whose color is dark red.
• leeches that look like mouse tails or small grasshoppers.
• leeches that have small and narrow heads.

Experts keep these worms in closed containers with a certain amount of water inside them.. It is also good to know that sanitary leeches are disposable.

On the other hand, there are poisonous leeches that cannot be used. For example, some of them look like eels or their bodies look furry and fluffy.. Their use can lead to serious complications such as bleeding, fever and severe wounds.

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What are the stages of leech treatment?

After consulting with the patient and examining his condition, the specialist doctor starts the leech treatment... Its steps generally include the following:

Disinfection of the desired area

The area where the leech is placed is thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic solution to reduce the risk of infection..

Encourage biting

Sometimes the leech may not stick to the skin.

Leech therapy monitoring

During the treatment session, the doctor regularly checks the behavior of the leech and the health status of the patient so that medical measures can be taken faster in case of complications. The duration of the leech therapy session varies, but on average it can be between 20 and 45 minutes.

Leech removal

Once the leeches have taken enough blood, they detach from the skin on their own...otherwise, other techniques such as saline solution are used to remove them.

Wound care

To prevent infection, the bite site is cleaned and bandaged with sterile bandages... Slight bleeding at the bite site is normal and nothing to worry about... This bleeding can last for several hours due to the presence of anticoagulants in leech saliva... The doctor uses pressure dressings to control it.

After these steps, the patient is asked to visit the doctor again... This visit is to evaluate the patient and check the results of leech therapy.... To check the results of leech treatment, many doctors suggest taking photos to see the process of changes better.

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Which parts of the body are treated with leech?

Leech therapy can be performed according to the patient's condition in different parts of the body, including:

• Facial leech therapy: which is used in plastic and reconstructive surgeries to improve blood flow and speed up the healing process.. It can also be useful for treating diseases such as acne and rosacea.
• Knee: Placing leech in this area can help curb inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
• Leech therapy behind the ear: Leech therapy in this part of the body pursues different goals....for example, we can mention reducing the intensity and number of migraine attacks and tension headaches.
• Elbow: If you suffer from problems like tennis elbow, leech therapy in this area can help curb it.
• Leech therapy on the back: This technique leads to the reduction of back pain.
• Arms and legs: Used for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), varicose veins, and other circulation problems.
• Scalp: Leeches in this area can help treat diseases such as alopecia or scalp psoriasis.

What are the most important benefits of leech therapy?

Leech therapy can be associated with the following benefits:

• Blood thinning
• Prevention of blood clotting
• Prevention of tissue death
• Improving blood circulation
• Blood purification

What are the side effects of leech therapy?

One of the most important side effects of this treatment method is the following:

Allergic reactions

Some patients may have allergic reactions to leech saliva... These reactions can be accompanied by symptoms such as itching, skin rashes, swelling and, in rare cases, breathing problems.

Infection

If this method is not done correctly, there is a risk of infection at the site of the leech bite.. Infection leads to fever, redness, swelling, pain and pus in the affected area..

Prolonged bleeding

Since leech saliva has anti-coagulant properties, it can lead to prolonged bleeding at the bite site. These bleeds are often minor, but if you have bleeding disorders or are taking blood thinners, you may have problems.

Transmission of diseases

If sanitary conditions are not observed or leech grows in a contaminated environment, there is a risk of transmission of various diseases.

Anemia

If a large number of leeches are used during treatment sessions, there will be a risk of anemia.

In addition to these, some people may experience problems such as fatigue, headache or dizziness after leech therapy....These symptoms are transient and disappear after a short period of time....If these symptoms become severe over time, you should go to the treatment center....You can ask them your questions in this field by getting an online consultation from GCORP LLC internists.

Preparation tips before leech treatment

Before starting leech treatment, it is good to review the following points:

• Do not eat heavy food 3 hours before starting the treatment.
• 24 hours before treatment, do not do vigorous activity or exercise.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking at least 24 hours before the treatment.
• You should stop taking some medications such as aspirin, warfarin, heparin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.... In this case, be sure to consult your doctor to provide you with detailed information.
• Be sure to ask your doctor about fasting or not.
• Clean the skin area... Trim body hair if necessary.
• Avoid lotions, creams, or perfumes on the treatment area, as they can interfere with the leech's ability to stick.
• Wear comfortable clothing for easy access to the treatment area.
• Use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing to mentally prepare yourself.
• If you have a history of allergies, request a patch test to check for any adverse reactions to leech saliva.

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Care after leech treatment

After the leech therapy session, pay attention to the following points:

• Leave the bite site alone.... Avoid touching or scratching the bite...Any manipulation of the wound can allow bacteria to enter or cause further irritation.
• Let the wound heal naturally... Only use special creams or lotions with the doctor's advice.
• Check the wound area regularly to make sure it is not infected.
• Be sure to consult your doctor before going to the bathroom.
• Avoid going to the pool and swimming until the wounds are completely healed.
• You can use over-the-counter pain relievers for pain relief.
• Have proper nutrition and drink enough water... You can consult your doctor about diet.
• After leech treatment, rest and do not engage in vigorous sports activities....let the body rest.

Leech therapy in several lines

From improving blood circulation to surgery and managing venous diseases and chronic pain, leech therapy is widely used... Of course, leech therapy can also be associated with possible complications and not everyone is a good candidate for it... Be sure to consult your doctor before using this method... Internal specialists at GCORP LLC are ready to provide online and telephone consultations. are.

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Source: amrutayucare |​​ healthline | theleech clinic