Leech therapy with horses
Leech treatment or Hirudotherapy is one of the oldest treatment methods in medical history. Long before our era, the therapeutic effect of this treatment method was already known.
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The Hirudo medicinales is the scientific name of the species of leech that possesses these medicinal properties. It is the saliva of these animals that does the actual work in our body. They inject a combination of 100 active substances into the blood that are unique in type and composition, most of which are anti-inflammatory and analgesic.
These scientifically proven medical substances include: hirudin, hyaluronidase, chymotrypsin, destabilase, proteinase inhibitors, collagenase and other unidentified substances.
What are the effects of leech treatment?
Blood thinning
Anti-inflammatory
Analgesic
Improving the quality of blood vessels
Stimulates the immune system
Softening of scar tissue
Release of adhesions
Mild bloodletting
Lubricating the joints and reducing joint pain
Blood pressure and hormone regulating
Lymph cleansing
Antibacterial
Reducing medication use
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Where do the leeches come from?
I buy the leeches in Germany from the Biebertaler Blutegelschijn GmbH in Biebertal. Here these animals are properly bred and checked before they leave the house. I always have enough leeches at my disposal to be able to help acute cases quickly.
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In Germany, the leeches have been officially registered as “medicine” since 2005. This means that they have to meet the same requirements as medicines with regard to quality, safety and efficacy. Medicinal leeches belong to the protected species. They are grown in special nurseries under strict government supervision.
Thanks to the pharmaceutical substances they create, they purify our body and make it healthier in a 100% natural way.
How does leech therapy work?
First and foremost, I determine the correct treatment method for each patient on the basis of a conversation with the owner. If I choose leech therapy, I will first explain everything in great detail and ask a few additional questions. Then I put the leeches on the horse where they are needed.
When the animals suck themselves, they grate a small wound into the skin with their microscopic teeth. This briefly gives a stinging sensation or the feeling of a small prick, but disappears due to the pain-relieving effect that the leeches cause. The horses don't notice this.
The blood they suck is seen as food by them (10-40ml). The leeches release on their own and fall off the animal when they are engorged. This can take 1 to 2 hours. The wounds can continue to bleed for 12 to 24 hours, this is due to the blood-thinning effect and is desirable.
A leech treatment usually gives a positive result after 1 to 3 treatments, but this strongly depends on the problem.
When or for which complaints do we use leeches?
Joint complaints all over the body: osteoarthritis, rheumatism, calcifications, ...
Inflammatory symptoms all over the body: common inflammations and inflammations of the joints (arthritis, tendovaginitis), periosteum inflammation, bursitis, inflammation of the blood vessels
Tendon and skin problems
Abscesses, ulcers, wounds, growths and hematomas
Migraine, chronic headache, cluster headache, ...
nerve damage
Skin disorders: scars, eczema, fluid retention, thrombosis, poor circulation, wound healing disorders…
Back pain, kissing spines,…
After operations to promote blood flow and as pain relief
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Opgezwollen gallen
Are there any contraindications?
As for any treatment, there are certain situations for Hirudotherapy where we have to adjust the method or are not allowed to perform it.
That is why I always make time for a preliminary conversation in which I can fully analyze the situation.