Hirudotherapy is a science known to mankind from time immemorial. It is used for a variety of diseases. Depending on their nature, the schemes for setting leeches also change. We will analyze the most popular recommendations and directions in this article.
The history of hirudotherapy and its principles
Leeches are the best natural healers. So say even the doctors themselves. They have been actively used since the 18th century: in our country alone, about 30 million leeches were used annually. Soviet times, leech treatment turnovers slightly decreased, but today they are again gaining popularity. In addition, now everything is much simpler: you need to go for small doctors not to a remote swamp, but to the nearest pharmacy.
Special medical leeches are capable of producing about 80 biologically active components and nutrients. The most famous of them is called hirudin. His leech also releases into the human body at the moment of suction to the skin. Such a multifunctional medicine relieves the symptoms of a wide variety of diseases. Depending on them, the schemes for setting leeches also change. The hirudotherapy atlas outlines them in detail, and also provides useful recommendations and indications. But the basic principles are the same.
How to treat with leeches
A medical leech is placed in a clean vial or test tube, the neck of which is placed close to the skin at the site of the intended setting. If the leech is hungry, it sucks quickly, within 3-5 minutes. It is important that the skin is clean, but without odors - from deodorant, perfume or soap. At first, painful sensations may occur, but hirudin has an analgesic effect, and after it enters the body, you will not feel anything. When the leech is pumped, it will fall off by itself. After this, a sterile dressing should be applied to the bite site and bandaged tightly. After a day, the wound will completely heal.
If you have never previously treated with leeches, you need to put only one and be sure to monitor the reaction to bites. Further staging is carried out if redness or itching does not appear in this place within 24 hours. In the absence of a negative reaction, the number of leeches is increased to 3-4, and then to 10-15. In no case should we forget that the scheme for setting leeches for various diseases is different. Leeches - a "cure" is purely individual, and you can not share it with others. However, you can use the same leech for yourself several times. True, you have to wait until she gets hungry - and this will happen no earlier than in a few months.
Scheme of leeches in various diseases
In each case, everything is individual. This applies to the place of production, and the number of leeches. Also, do not forget that treatment with leeches must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor and be accompanied by appropriate medications and other medical procedures.
Cardiological diseases
- With angina attacks, leeches are placed on the sternum, right costal arch and intercostal space. The total amount is 5-10 pieces.
- In coronary heart disease, they are located in the sternum, where the xiphoid process joins, in the region of the left 5th intercostal space, in the parathyroid zones, in the region of the cardiac impulse, in the left lumbar part and in the left zone of the anus.
- In hypertensive diseases, the scheme for setting leeches is as follows: on the crown of the head and in the jugular fossa, between the eyebrows, above the seventh cervical vertebra, in the cervical spine, in the lumbar triangle and on the mastoid processes. Leeches are placed on the tailbone starting from the third session. In total, their number can reach up to 30 pieces.
Pulmonary diseases
In lung diseases, leeches are applied to the jugular fossa, over the first thoracic vertebra, on the lower back and on the sides of the anus. When the infectious processes are completely neutralized, the scheme of setting leeches also includes zones 3 and 4 of the intercostal space, from where their secret penetrates into the lungs. In parallel with this, the introduction of Tactivin subcutaneously, as well as Sulfocamphocaine intramuscularly, is recommended.
Gastroenterological diseases
- With problems with the digestive system, leeches are superimposed on the solar plexus, above the fifth lumbar vertebra, on the tailbone and anus. The total number is 10-15 individuals.
- In diseases of the esophagus, leeches are also supplemented by the introduction of "Tactivin" and are located in the region of 2-5 vertebrae and on the lower edge of the ribs.
- In gastric diseases, the top of the xiphoid process and the region of 6-8 ribs will be the best location for leeches.
- Problems of the biliary tract suggest staging in the coccyx and in the region of the first lumbar vertebra (first you need to palpate this area and mark the most painful point).
- The scheme for setting leeches for liver diseases is as follows: to the right of the xiphoid process, along the lower edge of 6-8 ribs and below the right costal arch.
- With colitis, it is necessary to put leeches on the stomach, below the navel, in the area of pupartic ligaments. Taktivin is administered subcutaneously.
Neurological diseases
- Natural healers are often used for stroke, as well as during the recovery period after it. Scheme of leeches: mastoid processes, eyebrows and crown, region above the cervical vertebrae, to the right or left (depending on the side of the lesion) from the lower jaw.
- With ischemic disease and pre-stroke conditions, leeches are superimposed on the region of the crown of the head and cervical vertebrae, coccyx and zone of the carotid arteries, under the tongue and on the tip of the tongue.
- The use of leeches also helps with tunnel syndrome. In this case, they are placed above the tunnel itself, in the nerve trunk of which pinched.
- With atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries, leeches should stick to the jugular fossa and in the region of the carotid arteries, as well as on the cervical vertebrae and above the spinous processes.
Surgical diseases
- When thrombophlebitis is also additionally treated not by the limbs themselves, but directly by the organs that led to the disease. Leeches are placed on the popliteal fossae and along problem veins.
- With ventral hernias, leeches are located above the hernial gates, and a vacuum should be created.
- With vascular atherosclerosis, leeches must be placed above the sacrum and lumbar vertebrae, behind the ankles and in the popliteal fossae. Also the recommended area is between the toes.
- With boils and purulent inflammation, the leech is located directly above the lesion.
Leeches in cosmetology
The formulation scheme will be different, depending on the nature of the disease. And it should be determined by a specialist. By and large, a leech will be useful no matter where you put it. The exception is body cavities, areas in which the skin is especially thin, as well as places where large venous vessels are located.
Of particular note is the setting of leeches on the face. The scheme is individual in each case, and it is better to start the procedure from some inconspicuous place. After all, the bites of leeches can remain for a long time, and you will have to get rid of such unpleasant consequences even longer. So it is better to limit yourself to the collar zone and points behind the ears - in these cases, you can achieve rejuvenation and improve the appearance of the skin.
However, there are diseases in which leeches are recommended to be put on the face. For example, from sinusitis - to the right and left of the nose, and the symptoms of frontal sinusitis will help relieve leeches in the superciliary area. In case of eye diseases, leeches are superimposed on the temporal artery and the outer zone of the bony edge of the eye, on the mastoid processes, in the zone of the crown of the head and eyebrows.
As you can see, there are practically no problems that hirudotherapy would not cope with. Schemes of setting leeches in each case will be individual, and the positive effect of such a procedure does not have to wait long. In addition to improving the condition of the whole organism and reducing the symptoms of the disease, leeches eliminate cosmetic defects and increase skin elasticity.
Useful properties and contraindications of hirudotherapy
Treatment with leeches has a beneficial effect on the whole body: tone increases, sleep normalizes, swelling decreases, blood counts and its composition improve. All thanks to the secret of leeches, which contain special substances. They accelerate blood circulation and metabolic processes, contribute to the dissolution of plaques in blood vessels and blood clots.
In addition, a person improves vision and hearing, pressure returns to normal, and memory abilities increase. In diabetics, the sugar content is normalized. In general, the use of leeches will be useful for any average person.
But this procedure also has contraindications. You can not put leeches with hemophilia and low blood pressure, as well as with the diagnosis of acute anemia. They are not used during the period of taking anticoagulants and with purulent thrombophlebitis. Among other contraindications, individual intolerance to substances contained in the leech secret, as well as pregnancy and critical days in women, are distinguished.