Leech Therapy — treatment

Heal with leechesLeeches are used in leech therapy. In addition to sucking blood, the leeches excrete therapeutically active substances with their saliva.Leech therapyNaturopathyWhat diseases are treated?Principle of treatmentHow effective is the method?Search for a therapistWho pays for the treatment?sourcesHealing salivaThe saliva of the leech contains over 20 different substances with numerous positive effects: anti-inflammatory, blood-thinning and bactericidal properties have been demonstrated.Blood robberThe leech is actually a predator and lives on the blood of other animals. It belongs to the ringworms and is a relative of the earthworm. After a blood meal, his weight can be ten times higher than before...

Leech therapy is a naturopathic treatment and belongs to the so-called diversionary procedures. Leeches are grown sterile especially for medical purposes and can be delivered through the pharmacy. They are subject to the drug regulation.The principle of leech therapy is based on local bloodletting and the action of specific leech agents.What is to be considered?Before treatment, the patient is informed about side effects such as: B. wound infections, scarring or hyperpigmentation (possible, intensified brown coloring of the skin) cleared up.Because leeches are particularly sensitive to odors, the patient should avoid alcohol, nicotine and fragrances (e.g. perfume) before treatment.Treatment should take...

Leech therapy"Leech therapy is an old procedure that has received increasing attention in clinical settings in recent years.It is particularly successful e.g. used for the therapy of painful knee joint arthrosis, tennis elbow or rheumatic inflammation.This book shows the basics, methodology and applications of leech therapy. The focus is on areas of indication already proven by scientific studies.Therapists benefit from specific instructions for leech therapy and learn about the range of possibilities, but also the limits of the procedure. The evaluation of the procedure for the individual indications helps to assess the choice of therapy more reliably. " (Michalsen & Roth:...

Leech therapy is an old and modern method at the same timeMany citizens feel disgusted at the thought of leeches.However, these small, slippery and worm-shaped bloodsuckers are an “old treasure of naturopathy” that has been preserved until today.200 years BC The leeches were successfully used by the healers at that time. Many older people have had very good experiences with these “animals” or are familiar with “leech therapy” at least from their childhood.Only a few naturopathic practices still use leeches for therapeutic purposes today.In many cases, leeches are not mastered, or the patientfundamentally reject such therapy. The scope of this...

The General Hospital (AKH) in Vienna not only focuses on the latest medical treatment options. Leeches, like those from antiquity, are used for healing purposes - about 50 times a year.The medical leech is not only the best-known representative of the leeches, but also a medical device and is used as such at the AKH. It is kept in a separate chamber in the AKH institutional pharmacy. There, Alexander Gregor, the senior pharmaceutical assistant, takes care of the animals that need a lot of care: “The leeches are happy about bathing. Then you become mobile. " The saliva of the...