Hirudotherapy (medical leech treatment)

Hirudotherapy is a method of traditional medicine based on the use of medical leeches Hirudo medicinalis for the treatment of various human diseases, which are grown on special biological farms.

The discovery in 1902 by John Haycraft of the leech saliva enzyme hirudin marked the beginning of the scientific use of leeches in medicine. The leech was used by Hippocrates and Galen, used by Avicenna, used by M.Ya. Mudrov and N.I. Pirogov, G.A. Zakharyin and V.P. Filatov.

Specialists of the direction

Barnaulova
Svetlana Olegovna Cardiologist of the highest category, phytotherapist, hirudotherapeutist, Ph.D.

Tagirova
Elena Rasimovna Neurologist-hirudotherapist of the highest category

Hirudotherapy is approved by the Ministry of Health of Russia and has a pharmacopoeial article FS-42-702-97, that is, the State Standard of the drug with a list of indicators and quality control methods.
The therapeutic effect of a leech bite lasts even after the procedure, when lymph oozes from the wound, with which toxins come out, swelling and inflammation disappear.
Leeches have a sense of smell, taste, touch, heat and light perception.
A satiated leech needs at least six months to digest food, and a leech can endure a hungry period for 1-3 years.
The leech is an unconscious "acupuncturist": it sticks only where the reflexogenic points are located.

Contrary to popular belief, hirudotherapy is the cutting edge of modern medicine. Most of us at the mention of treatment with leeches wince in disgust. However, the first impression is deceptive – it's not so scary at all. To imbued with respect for this "animal", let's get to know him better.

First you need to "break" the usual stereotype. Let's make a reservation right away that the whole conversation will be about a special, thoroughbred, medical leech, in no case about a pond one. The medicinal leech is grown on special biological farms and is absolutely "sterile" before use. It is used, like a syringe, only once – after the procedure it is killed: for our health with you, this miracle of nature gives its life.

Treatment with leeches is also notable for the fact that it does not give complications, does not have negative side effects on the human body and has only a few contraindications (violation of the blood coagulation system, a persistent decrease in blood pressure, pregnancy, individual intolerance)

The mechanism of action of hirudotherapy

reflex action is that the leech bites through the skin at biologically active points (acupuncture points). The mechanism of reflex action is similar to that of acupuncture.

mechanical action expressed in the unloading of regional blood flow by leeches.

Biological action It is provided due to the presence in the saliva of a leech of a whole range of biologically active substances.

Effects of hirudotherapy:

antithrombotic (prevention of blood clots);
thrombolytic (destruction of blood clots);
anti-ischemic (improvement of blood supply to tissues and organs);
antihypoxic (improvement of blood oxygen supply to tissues and organs);
hypotensive (normalizes blood pressure);
decongestant, draining;
restoration of microcirculation;
lipolytic (splitting of fatty deposits);
restoration of neuromuscular transmission of impulses;
restoration of the permeability of the vascular wall;
bacteriostatic (death of microorganisms that caused the inflammatory process);
immunocorrective;
analgesic (pain reliever);
improved mood and sleep.

Who is hirudotherapy indicated for?

Hirudotherapy is indicated for patients suffering from the following diseases:

of cardio-vascular system: ischemic heart disease, angina pectoris, hypertension, postinfarction cardiosclerosis, heart failure;
peripheral nervous system: radiculitis, neuritis, polyneuropathy, neuralgia, ganglioneuritis;
musculoskeletal system and nervous system: polyarthritis, myositis, consequences of injuries of the spine, limbs, widespread osteochondrosis of the spine, complicated by herniation;
lungs and upper respiratory tract: chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, respiratory failure;
gastrointestinal tract: chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, constipation, chronic cholecystitis and pancreatitis;
urological: chronic pyelonephritis, prostatitis, prostate adenoma, impotence;
gynecological: acute and chronic diseases of the uterus and appendages, fibroids, adhesions, painful menstruation, infertility;
ophthalmic: glaucoma, inflammatory eye diseases, cataract;
surgical: varicose veins of the lower extremities, acute and chronic thrombophlebitis, hemorrhoids, rectal fissures;
allergic: urticaria, neurodermatitis, bronchial asthma;
dermatological: infiltrates, furuncles, carbuncles.

Hirudotherapy is used in the complex treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system, nervous system, musculoskeletal system, lungs and upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, urological, gynecological, ophthalmological diseases, in surgery, dermatology and cosmetology.