- How painful is the procedure?
- For cervical osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a disease accompanied by severe pain. They are relieved with painkillers, the frequent long-term use of which causes significant side effects. This forces doctors to use a non-standard approach when treating osteochondrosis. The article describes the use of leeches in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system at the Paramita clinic.
Is it possible to cure osteochondrosis with leeches?
Hirudotherapy for osteochondrosis can completely or partially restore the condition of the spine, eliminate pain and other unpleasant symptoms.
In the initial stages of the disease, complete restoration of spinal function is possible. In the later stages, when compensatory growth of bone tissue occurs or complications develop in the form of intervertebral hernias, treatment with leeches for osteochondrosis significantly alleviates the patient’s condition, eliminates pain, inflammation, improves blood circulation in the affected area, and restores performance.
Action of leeches
In the case of osteochondrosis diseases, hirudotherapy is primarily valued for its relaxing effect. Increased blood circulation around the sore spot promotes rapid regeneration of intervertebral discs, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, and helps avoid thrombus formation.
Another valuable property of worm overlay is relaxation. Patients with osteochondrosis are permanently irritated due to severe pain in the spine, this is natural. During attacks, sleep patterns are completely disrupted, which in turn initiates other problems in the body. Leeches help restore relaxation and normalize well-being. Vasodilation relieves migraines and forms preventive protection against blood clots.
How the method works
Hirudotherapy session
Hirudotherapy is treatment using medicinal leeches. The method was used in their practice by the great doctors of the past, Hippocrates and Avicenna. In Russia, it was successfully used by such luminaries of medicine as N. Pirogov, M. Mudrov, G. Zakharyin. Professor Zakharyin spoke of leeches as a remedy, the benefits and importance of which many years of experience taught him.
Today, only specially grown sterile leeches that have passed appropriate control are used.
What happens in the body during osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a metabolic-dystrophic disease that develops against the background of circulatory disorders in small blood vessels carrying blood to the spine. Due to malnutrition, metabolic processes are disrupted in the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs, which perform a shock-absorbing function. This leads to changes in the intervertebral disc. It first thins, then cracks. Its central part - the elastic core - shifts to the periphery and protrudes, compressing the roots of the spinal nerves.
Each type of osteochondrosis has serious complications, so you should not delay treatment.
See how easy it is to cure diseases in 10 sessions
When the integrity of the cartilaginous ring is damaged, the core completely extends beyond the spinal column - this condition is called an intervertebral hernia and is accompanied by severe pain. With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, symptoms of compression of the vertebral artery appear.
Chemical composition of leech saliva
When a medicinal leech bites, it releases saliva into the blood, which contains a number of substances that improve tissue nutrition, activate metabolic processes, and have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. Their saliva contains:
- Hirudin
is a polypeptide consisting of dozens of amino acid residues. Suppresses the action of the enzyme thrombin, the formation of blood clots, and prevents the aggregation (sticking together) of platelets, from which clots are formed, which are the basis of blood clots. Hirudin dissolves blood clots and strengthens the walls of blood vessels. This increases blood fluidity in small blood vessels, improves tissue nutrition, and activates cellular metabolism. - Hyaluronidase
is an enzyme that decomposes hyaluronic acid, which is part of connective tissue. This facilitates the penetration of other active components of leech saliva into the tissue. - Destabilase
is an enzyme that actively dissolves existing blood clots. Helps biologically active substances penetrate the cell membrane. - Collagenase
is an enzyme that dissolves collagen fibers, preventing the proliferation of connective tissue and the formation of scars. - Orgelase
is an enzyme involved in the formation of a network of small blood vessels (capillaries). Blood microcirculation improves, fluid outflow from the intercellular space, and swelling is eliminated. - Eglins
are biologically active substances that have an anti-inflammatory effect. Suppress the action of the enzymes chymotrypsin and trypsin, which decompose proteins. - Kininase
is an enzyme that destroys kinins - polypeptides that form the pain effect. - Cholesterol esterase and triglyceridase
are enzymes that decompose cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Anti-sclerotic effect - elimination of atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of blood vessels, improvement of blood microcirculation. - Histamine-like substances
- promote the rapid expansion of blood vessels, which facilitates the absorption of other components of leech saliva.
How do leeches work for osteochondrosis?
After biting through the skin, the worm tries to drink blood as quickly as possible. But blood has a fairly viscous consistency, so to facilitate this task, saliva contains histamine-like substances that dilate small blood vessels and substances that thin the blood, making it less viscous.
Saliva quickly penetrates the blood and has a beneficial effect on the body. The following physiological effects develop that have a beneficial effect on patients suffering from osteochondrosis:
- blood clots dissolve in small blood vessels, their walls are strengthened - blood circulation and tissue nutrition improve, which leads to increased metabolism in the cartilage tissue of the intervertebral discs;
- the action of enzymes that dissolve atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of blood vessels further improve blood microcirculation;
- the process of tissue restoration is accelerated; several courses of procedures can completely restore the shock-absorbing function of the discs;
- activation of metabolism leads to the elimination of toxic products of inflammation and tissue breakdown from their body;
- inflammation and pain in the area of pinched spinal nerve roots are relieved;
- spasm of the neck and back muscles is eliminated - this also reduces pain;
- immunostimulating effect – the body’s defense reactions are activated;
- eliminating pain calms the patient, relieves prolonged stress, and restores night sleep.
Mechanical and reflex effects
The therapeutic effect of this method is not limited to the action of biologically active substances. Mechanical and reflex effects are no less important. The mechanical effect is that part of the blood is removed, improving local blood circulation.
Acupuncture points on the back
Back in the 19th century, Professor G. Zakharyin noticed that leeches themselves accurately select suction points that have a pronounced reflex effect on a particular organ. The locations they chose correspond to acupuncture points used in ancient Chinese medicine.
At the Paramita clinic, these properties of leeches are used for a complex effect: a combination of hirudotherapy with oriental methods of treatment. This significantly increases the effectiveness of therapy.
Why should you contact the Innovative Medical Center if you have a lumbosacral hernia?
At the Innovative Medical Center, unlike other medical institutions, they first look for the root cause of a spinal hernia and work with it.
The Center employs doctors and candidates of medical sciences, doctors of the highest category. They regularly attend Russian and international scientific conferences dedicated to the treatment and prevention of intervertebral hernias, and make presentations at them.
The doctors of our Center have significant experience and competence in the treatment of intervertebral hernias of the lumbosacral region, confirmed by statistics. About 90% of patients visiting the Center with hernias receive significant pain relief and an increase in the period without exacerbations and pain.
When treating hernias of the lumbosacral spine, we use an integrated approach using unique physiotherapeutic techniques (Khivamat 200, Evident, UVT) in combination with massage, acupuncture, kinesitherapy on innovative decompression simulators, methods of manual therapy and osteopathy.
To relieve tension from the muscles in the lumbar region, improve lymph and blood flow, the technique also uses a unique taping technology. Taping is the application of special cotton tapes that do not limit joint mobility due to an acrylic thermoactive coating, similar in elasticity to human skin.
Remember that the methods used at the Center are especially effective at the early stage of the disease. Therefore, it is important to contact us at the first symptoms. This will prevent further progression of the lumbosacral hernia and pain syndrome, and will greatly reduce the likelihood of surgery.
How does the session work?
Before carrying out therapy, the patient is warned that he should not drink alcohol, smoke, or use cosmetics with a strong odor.
The skin is not treated with antiseptic agents before or after the procedure. Leeches are applied to selected areas of the skin, after which they themselves choose the most active point and stick to it.
For the 1st session, 2–3 bites are enough. They are installed for half an hour and then forcibly torn off. These two sessions are considered incomplete; during them, the human body adapts to the effects of biologically active substances.
We combine proven techniques of the East and innovative methods of Western medicine
Read more about our unique method of treating osteochondrosis
Subsequent sessions are carried out at intervals of 3 to 5 days. The duration of the sessions is one hour. During this time, the worm drinks about 5 ml of blood and disappears on its own. A bleeding wound remains on the skin, onto which a sterile dry bandage is applied. In total, the course of treatment will require 5–10 sessions.
How painful is the procedure?
When a leech bites through the skin, it causes almost no pain. The sessions are painless and do not cause any discomfort. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory substances contained in the saliva of the worm prevent the development of infectious and inflammatory complications.
Who will treat you?
The Innovative Medical Center employs doctors of the highest category, doctors and candidates of medical sciences, who have extensive experience in the treatment of intervertebral hernias of the lumbosacral spine and have already helped many patients:
Bogdanov Vadim Yuryevich – chief physician, orthopedist-traumatologist. Completed internships in Germany to perform complex arthroscopic interventions, successful experience in performing thousands of operations. Read more about the doctor.
Ronami Valery Guseinovich is a professor, doctor of medical sciences, neurologist, reflexologist and chiropractor with 40 years of experience. Read more about the doctor.
Therapeutic effect of hirudotherapy for osteochondrosis
The effectiveness of treatment depends on the localization of the pathological process.
For cervical osteochondrosis
Hirudotherapy session for cervical osteochondrosis
Leeches are placed on the neck, back of the head, and areas in the upper back. They choose their own suction points. In the first procedures, no more than two individuals are used, they are applied for half an hour, then the number of individuals and the duration of the sessions increases. Usually there are about 7 sessions at intervals of 5 days.
As a result, after the first session of hirudotherapy for cervical osteochondrosis, the patient will feel relief: headaches, dizziness, attacks of nausea, fainting, and radicular pain decrease. After a full course of treatment with leeches for cervical osteochondrosis, the pain disappears completely and performance is restored. After several courses of treatment at intervals of 3–4 weeks, the patient forgets about health problems.
For lumbar osteochondrosis
Hirudotherapy session for lumbar osteochondrosis
Lumbar osteochondrosis is accompanied by severe pain in the lower back and along the back surface of the lower extremities. If the sacral region is involved in the pathological process, then disorders of the pelvic organs may appear - urinary and fecal incontinence.
Leeches are placed on the lumbar region and points of the Michaelis diamond (see figure). The very first session of hirudotherapy leads to a reduction in pain. After the course of treatment, the pain subsides completely. Disorders of the pelvic organs can also be treated with leeches. But to consolidate the beneficial therapeutic effect, most experts recommend several courses of treatment at intervals of about a month.
Indications for the procedure
As a palliative, the placement of leeches is indicated for any osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, regardless of severity. An important advantage is the healing properties of leech saliva. The technique goes so far that the leech falls off the patient’s body on its own (unless the procedure is interrupted by the doctor himself for medical reasons), and it is forbidden to fill the wound with an antiseptic. The scarification site is simply easily tamponed and left to heal naturally. Blood loss is small, about ten milliliters; with normal clotting, the wound heals very quickly.
Worms do not tolerate strong flavors, so before application it is forbidden to use antiperspirants, deodorants, or eat garlic and spices. It is advisable to abstain from perfumes as much as possible during the entire course. Otherwise, the leech will simply refuse to grab.
The technique of treatment with leeches is as follows:
- The first two times take no more than half an hour, the exposure of the worms is incomplete, that is, the doctor removes the leech until it is completely saturated.
- The third session is already an hour long and until full exposure. Usually small leeches absorb about five milliliters of blood, which is quite enough
- The remaining sessions of the course, if conditions are favorable, also last up to an hour, and the hirudas are given the opportunity to get drunk and fall off on their own. The number of leeches per application is several.
Indications and contraindications for hirudotherapy
Good to know
- Proper massage for osteochondrosis
- A set of exercise therapy exercises for osteochondrosis
- Is it possible to safely treat osteochondrosis during pregnancy?
- How to get rid of dizziness with cervical osteochondrosis
- Complex physiotherapy for osteochondrosis
Treatment is indicated for any location of osteochondrosis. But this procedure can be especially effective in treating the combination of osteochondrosis with the following diseases:
- arterial hypertension – persistently high blood pressure (BP); leads to dilation of blood vessels and a decrease in blood pressure; the hypotensive effect persists for a long time after the course of treatment;
- coronary heart disease – one of the manifestations of atherosclerosis; biologically active substances contained in the saliva of the worm dissolve atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of the coronary vessels that supply the heart muscle; This leads to the elimination of angina attacks - pain in the heart.
Contraindications for treatment:
- hemophilia – a congenital bleeding disorder;
- oncological diseases;
- allergic reactions to components of leech saliva.
Temporary contraindications are anemia, low blood pressure, pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Treatment of osteochondrosis with leeches is an effective technique that allows you to completely relieve the patient not only of the symptoms of the disease, but also of the causes that caused it. In our clinic, patients can undergo a course of hirudotherapy and completely restore spinal function.
Literature:
- Baskova I.P., Isakhanyan G.S. Hirudtherapy. Science and practice. Moscow, 2004
- Kamenev O. Yu., Baranovsky A. Yu. Treatment with leeches. Theory and practice of hirudotherapy Moscow, 2015
- Hirudotherapy and hirudopharmacology (edited by Nikonov G.I.). Moscow, 4th branch of Voenizdat, 1996
- Savinova V.A. Hirudotherapy. M., Medicine 2004
- Volin S., Dyachenko S., Dyachenko T. Three most effective ways to improve the health of the spine. Litres 2021
- Nikonov G.I., Baskova I.P. Physiological and biochemical aspects of the therapeutic effect of medicinal leeches. Advances in modern biology, T.101, no. 1 (1986).
- Seleznyov KG Leeching in the reconstructive surgery of oral and pharyngeal defects. Third international conference of leech scientists. Program and abstracts. Jerusalem (1990).
Themes
Osteochondrosis, Spine Date of publication: 10/21/2019 Date of update: 10/21/2019
Reader rating
Rating: 5 / 5 (2)
Special offer from the Yellow Emperor clinic
We practice an integrated approach. Depending on the severity of the disease, various techniques are used to achieve a lasting treatment effect: hirudotherapy, acupuncture, massage. The level of qualification of medical personnel allows us to provide all types of services at a decent professional level.
Each patient is able to consolidate the results independently. To do this, you need to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, eat right, and protect your lower back from hypothermia and physical overload. Value your health and enjoy life every minute!