What is 'leech therapy' and why do Hollywood celebs swear by it?
Leech therapy has a long history from medieval medicine and ancient Geek. The resurgence of this therapy, however, happened during the 1980s. It was a period when science was progressing and supporting leech therapy for microvascular and reconstructive surgery.
Throughout the medieval period, leeching was a standard therapy for humorism. Leeches were allowed to remove the blood from patients that were deemed to be ‘out of balance’. The treatment also helped people suffering from different skin diseases, diseases of the oral or nervous systems, and inflammation.
Soon leech therapy became a popular alternative to many techniques and theories. Otherwise known as Hirudotherapy, leech therapy became a rage amongst medical professionals. The leaching process is simple - leeches latch on to the patient's body parts where the blood flow is stopped or slowed and begin sucking blood. Celebrities like actress Demi Moore and model Miranda Kerr swear by the benefits of leech therapy on their skin. The process improves the blood flow and prevents tissue death. The doctor or expert controls the amount of blood and time that leeches can suck on, to ensure no adverse effects take place.
Understanding Hirudotherapy
Leeches have an enzyme called Hirudin in their saliva, which is an anticoagulant. It prevents clots and allows additional time for experts to repair an area. As leech bites promote blood circulation and prevent infections, continuous blood circulation prevents the death of tissue. Leech therapy intervention gives experts enough time to rejuvenate the tissue and make it healthy. With technology improving and many alternate therapies becoming popular, leech therapy indeed has some substantial benefits. Here are some ways leech therapy is showing promising results:
Leech Therapy For Hair Loss: Hair loss is a common problem, and most treatments are expensive and painful. But, alternatively, leech therapy can help treat many hair conditions such as fungal infection, alopecia, and dandruff. It can increase blood flow in the bald or thinning areas of the scalp so that the nutrients reach the roots and make the hair follicles stronger.
Leech Therapy for Diabetes: According to WHO, approximately 422 million people have diabetes across the world. Diabetes can sometimes lead to diseases of the vascular system that limit the blood flow into various areas of the body. Hirudotherapy helps improve circulation, easing the pressure on the heart by thinning the blood and preventing blood clotting.
Leech Therapy for Osteoarthritis: Sedentary lifestyle, obesity, genetics, and many other reasons can contribute to osteoarthritis. Pain, swelling, and stiffness are some issues for people with osteoarthritis. Hirudotherapy has been used as a treatment for OA and patients have reported significant improvement in their symptoms. In chronic cases, this therapy might have to be taken every 6 to 8 months for long-term relief.
As is true with all forms of therapy, there are many conditions in which one can apply leech therapy. Increasingly studies are conducted on the use of leech therapy to help heal people. Research suggests that chemicals in the saliva of leeches can help with making medicines. However, the fact that a lot of research is trying to identify if it can help with a host of diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and more is a heartening sign.
Text: Nikita Shah
