Do leeches help for weight loss, where to put leeches?

3206

Hirudotherapy is a session during which a leech is used. It is this type of annelid that can bring invaluable benefits to the human body. It is not only used to remove excess fluid and relieve swelling, but also to restore metabolic processes and the functioning of certain organs, joints, etc. A living organism is also used for weight loss. But it is important for specialists to find leeches for weight loss - where to put them should also be correctly determined.

The method of losing weight using leeches can be carried out no more than once a year - this is the opinion of most experts who use worms for rejuvenation and weight loss. Conducting sessions at home is strictly prohibited, since the home “doctor” has neither the knowledge, nor the special tool, liquid, nor the ability to use leeches for weight loss.

Medical leeches

These slippery and unpleasant creatures are actually very beneficial for our body. Hirudotherapy can solve a large number of health problems. At the same time, the medicinal leech is very different from its counterparts that live in stagnant bodies of water. It is sterile and does not introduce any infections into the human body.

They are used only once. However, today we will not talk about different types of treatment; we are only interested in where to put leeches for weight loss. Patients who have already tried this method note a quick effect that lasts for a long time. The benefits of this method are so significant that it has great prospects.

When not to be treated with leeches

Treatment with leeches will have to be abandoned if:

hemophilia or other diseases, the symptom of which is low blood clotting, the need for regular use of blood thinning medications;
anemia (hemoglobin level in the blood 100 mg/l and below);
chronic problems with cerebral circulation, especially with frequent hemorrhages;
severe chronic hypotension (after a session, blood pressure drops by an average of 20 units);
hemorrhagic diathesis (spontaneous frequent bleeding of a traumatic nature);
tuberculosis;
cancer at any stage, the presence of tumors of unknown etiology;
any infectious disease in the acute phase;
neurological diseases accompanied by seizures (the most common diagnosis is epilepsy), mental problems;
diseases that suppress the immune system (AIDS, hepatitis B and C);
severe general physical exhaustion of the body, a sharp significant decrease in body weight;
pregnancy at any stage;
feeding a child;
menses;
identified allergic reaction (individual intolerance to any of the components of leech saliva).

Another controversial issue concerns the age of the patient. Hirudotherapists are confident that there is no such limitation and leeches are a suitable method of treatment even for newborns. But other doctors are of the opinion that age under 10 years is also a contraindication.

In addition to objective contraindications, there is also a psychological barrier. Not everyone can overcome feelings of disgust and hostility. An alternative in this case can be creams and ointments with hirudin, but their effect is much less pronounced than that of a “natural product”.

Some people don’t even dare to pick up leeches, let alone let them bite themselves; trying to overpower yourself in such a situation is pointless - stress will only aggravate health problems

Video: contraindications for hirudotherapy

Hirudotherapy in action

With the help of these amazing creatures, you can treat excess weight and cellulite, and even fight severe obesity. Of course, you shouldn’t hope that leeches will suck all the fat out of you. This is not liposuction, but just one step towards defeating excess weight. The treatment itself proceeds as follows. The hirudotherapist places live, hungry leeches on biologically active points of our body. Thus, the mechanism of action is similar to acupuncture.

The process doesn't end there. The leech bites the skin 2 mm deep and injects its saliva into the wound. Now you can watch how her body begins to fill with blood. In total, she can suck up to 10 ml of blood. It would seem very little. But the fact is that blood, lymph and tissue fluid will ooze from the wound for some time, due to a special enzyme in saliva that prevents blood from clotting. After about 10 hours, the wound will heal.

During this time, you can lose from 60 to 200 ml of blood, lymph and tissue fluid. At the same time, the hirudotherapist knows exactly where to place leeches for weight loss. But if you want to perform this procedure yourself, then let's figure it out further.

Active Ingredients

The main therapeutic effect when using leeches for those who want to lose weight is achieved thanks to the following enzymes:

Destabilase stimulates the formation of new nerve fibers, which has a beneficial effect on tissue regeneration.
Eglins relieve all inflammatory processes, including those on the skin - pimples, irritations, acne.
Bdellins slow down certain biochemical and chemical reactions.
Hirudin has antibacterial properties and affects blood clotting.
Hyaluronidase relieves lymph stagnation and also eliminates swelling.

Therapy results

If you have never engaged in alternative treatment, then you should seek the help of a specialist or study the literature well. Applying leeches for weight loss is not so difficult, we will now talk about this in a little more detail. What will you get as a result?

Reflex action, that is, activation of biologically active points.
Mechanical – that is, unloading the blood flow, removing excess fluid from the body and cleansing the circulatory system. And if you remember that the root cause of weight gain is sludge in the body, then this is a very important point in the process of losing weight.
Biological effects - leech saliva is very complex in its composition. Once in the bloodstream, it promotes the breakdown of fats and normalization of metabolism.

Possible complications

Normal reaction after the session (all negative signs disappear within 3-4 days):

tolerable itching;
redness around the bite sites;
slight swelling and local increase in skin temperature.

Minor bruising after a leech bite is normal

If you know that you are prone to allergic reactions, notify your specialist in advance. He will help you choose an antihistamine that reduces the intensity of unwanted effects.

Complications after a properly performed hirudotherapy session practically do not occur. But it is still impossible to completely exclude them; each organism reacts to leeches in its own way:

allergic reaction. Quite a rare occurrence. The allergen can be either the leeches themselves or any of the components of their saliva. The reaction can be very different - from a mild rash, tolerable itching and redness to Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock;
extensive hemorrhages. Most often they occur if leeches are placed on overly thin or hypersensitive skin;
prolonged (more than 48 hours) bleeding. Caused by problems with blood clotting or the fact that the leeches were placed directly above large blood vessels, places where capillaries accumulate;
introduction of infection. The transmission of diseases by leeches themselves is practically excluded; saliva disinfects the wound caused by the worm. Inflammation and suppuration begin if you scratch the bites after the session, touch them with dirty hands, and so on;
temporary increase in the volume of the lymph nodes closest to the site of installation of leeches. This occurs due to the fact that the enzymes contained in saliva “open” the foci of infection and internal inflammation in the body. The remnants of pathogenic microorganisms washed out of them by lymph “settle” precisely in the lymph nodes, where they should be neutralized. Sometimes the node cannot cope with the sharply increased load, becomes inflamed, and swells. After 10–12 days it will decrease on its own.

The experience of hirudotherapists shows that if you continue treatment, negative manifestations are gradually minimized. The exception is allergies. The body “remembers” its own negative reaction. If you try to repeat a bad experience, the immune system will respond even more sharply.

Video: “prefix reaction” to treatment with leeches

Benefits of leeches

Let's start with the fact that the procedure is completely painless. A moment of discomfort at the moment of the bite, and then a special enzyme contained in the saliva acts no worse than novocaine. In addition, it is also an excellent antiseptic, which means you don’t have to worry that the wounds will become inflamed after a bite.

We are very interested in living examples of whether leeches help with weight loss. Reviews emphasize that the results are indeed very good. If you have set a goal to lose weight and are not succeeding, we recommend that you use this method.

As a result of competent treatment, the following results are achieved:

Excess fluid leaves the body. As a result, you feel much lighter.
Leech saliva contains many enzymes, two of which help fight fat deposits: hyaluronidase and lipase. In the most problematic areas, a very unpleasant phenomenon occurs: connective tissue cells grow. And this is a frame for fat deposition and the appearance of cellulite. What happens in the body after the leech sucks blood? Hyaluronidase is a special enzyme that breaks down the basic substance of connective tissue. Thanks to this, water is removed from fat deposits, and fresh blood enters the tissues. Thus, you need to identify places that require special attention. Now you know where to put leeches for weight loss.
As blood supply improves, oxygen exchange within tissues also increases. This is a powerful, fat-burning and healing factor.
There are additional bonuses after using leeches. This is immunostimulation, which results in an acceleration of metabolism.

How is the procedure performed?

It is advisable to conduct the session in the evening so that the body has time to rest and absorb the incoming enzymes. The procedure takes on average no more than one hour.

You should not use aromatic substances before the session. Insects cannot tolerate them and may refuse to stick to the skin. Fragrant soaps, lotions, creams, perfumes, and eau de toilette are prohibited.

There is no need to worry about the sterility of the “healers”. After use, they are destroyed in dry bleach in front of the patient. Next time a fresh supply will be used (using the principle of a disposable syringe).

Important points:

no more than three leeches are placed on one projection;
the duration of therapy should not exceed two weeks;
It is recommended to enrich the menu with a sufficient amount of foods containing fiber;
it is necessary to exclude fast carbohydrates containing sugar from the diet;
proper drinking regime should be ensured (up to 2-2.5 liters of clean water per day).

The procedure is painless, except for a slight discomfort in the area of active points. After completion of the session, small wounds may be observed, which quickly heal under the influence of medicinal substances already ingested by the body. There is no need to panic, because even disinfection is provided by the leeches themselves.

Not leeches alone

The process of losing weight is a complex task that must be solved in all available ways. Abuse of harmful products and physical inactivity will lead to the fact that all the efforts of bloodsuckers will remain without results. You need to start with a cleansing diet and a complete lifestyle change. You need to walk more and do exercises every morning, eat only healthy food and give up sweets. By the way, those who have already undergone such treatment note that already from the first procedure there is a decrease in appetite. Now you can look at store-bought cakes without much trepidation and treat yourself to fresh vegetables and fruits. In addition, by excluding harmful foods from the menu, you can saturate it not with harmful fats, but with vitamins and minerals.

Basic rules for using leeches

To achieve a positive result from the use of leeches, it is important to complete the entire course of treatment, which is 2 weeks. From 1 to 3 leeches are placed on one biological point, the number of procedures per day is from 1 to 2. In order for the result to appear as quickly as possible and to avoid side symptoms, you must follow the recommendations and rules for conducting hirudotherapy:

Adjust your diet. Foods high in fat and carbohydrates should be excluded from the menu, but fasting is not recommended. The best diet for weight loss with additional hirudotherapy is a proper, balanced diet.
Completely avoid alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee and strong tea. These drinks contribute to fluid retention in the body and reduce the effectiveness of weight loss.
The basis of nutrition should be complex carbohydrates and protein.
Vegetables and fruits must be present in the diet. They are enriched with fiber, which, with a minimum calorie content of these products, gives a long-lasting feeling of fullness.
During therapy, it is recommended to take vitamin and mineral complexes. This is especially true during the cold season, when the diet contains few fresh vegetables and fruits, from which you can get all the beneficial elements necessary for the body.
1 session of hirudotherapy should last no more than 60 minutes. If the duration is exceeded, there is a possibility of side symptoms.
Number of procedures – from 10.
Sports must be present in life. To get rid of excess weight, you need an integrated approach. Leeches alone will not help you achieve good results in losing weight if you do not have proper nutrition and regular exercise.
When going for a hirudotherapy session, you cannot perform hygiene procedures using scented products. If the skin smells like shower gels or perfume, the leech’s sense of smell will be impaired and it will not be able to attach itself to the skin.

There is no need to be afraid that viruses and infections can be introduced through leeches. All leeches are sterile, never used twice; after a session, pharmaceutical worms must be disposed of.

Active points

You can use the classic schemes, according to which the herudotherapist administers leeches for weight loss. The photo shows very clearly where to put it. However, in any case, you need to focus on the individual characteristics of the client.

Basically, no matter where you put it, it will still be useful. An exception may be the area of large, venous vessels and places with thin skin, such as the face. It must be taken into account that there are special points that are zones of influence on the entire body. These are the coccyx and navel, the perineum and the liver, the pancreas area. Chakra points: base of the spine, solar plexus, heart level, hollow at the base of the neck, middle of the forehead and crown area.

In addition to general points, you can pay attention directly to the most problematic areas. In other words, it is the places of greatest accumulation of fat reserves that should be tested by bloodsuckers.

How does the session work?

Hirudotherapy sessions (at least the first few) must be carried out by a qualified specialist. Don’t be lazy to spend time and effort searching for it, because an incorrectly performed procedure can cause serious harm to health. Be sure to ask to see quality certificates for leeches. Now they are produced on special biofarms. You also need to make sure that after each session the leeches are destroyed. The likelihood of catching someone else's disease in this case is minimal, but such an outcome cannot be ruled out.

Officially, there is no such medical specialty as a hirudotherapist. Appropriate treatment can be prescribed by a therapist, pulmonologist, cardiologist, otolaryngologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist.

The preparatory period lasts about a week. Prohibited:

drinking alcohol and smoking;
the use of cosmetics and medicines with a strong, pronounced aroma (perfume, creams, ointments, deodorants) - leeches really don’t like the strong smell and unnatural “taste” of the skin, they may simply not stick to it;
taking hot baths;
eating any high-calorie foods, especially sweets, fried, spicy and fatty foods, it is also recommended to reduce salt and meat intake to a minimum.

It is advisable to take blood tests before starting treatment - general blood tests, coagulation tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate tests, HIV tests and various types of hepatitis.

The course of treatment begins with a trial session. The skin is warmed up by steaming or massage. 1-2, maximum 3-4 leeches are placed on the problem area, which are placed in a clean bottle and pressed with its neck to the skin. Picking up worms with tweezers is not recommended. If the leech refuses to stick to the skin, you can lubricate the area with sugar syrup or honey diluted with water.

Provided that no allergies are detected, another 3–4 procedures are performed daily. The number of leeches increases to 8–10. The next 3 sessions are carried out at intervals every other day, the last 3-4 - once a week. The duration of the procedure depends on the severity of the disease. Courses are repeated as necessary, with an interval of at least 2 months, but not less than twice a year.

The pain during the process is minimal, as if from a mosquito bite or a nettle sting. The leech produces an anesthetic, so even minor discomfort goes away quickly. The volume of lost blood does not affect your well-being in any way.

Once eaten, leeches disappear on their own; if necessary, they can be quickly removed

Placement of leeches - biologically active points in the problem area:

for heart disease - on the chest or back in the places where pain is most clearly localized;
for hypertension - in the mastoid area and/or behind the ears;
after a heart attack and stroke - on the projection of the heart on the chest, under the left shoulder blade;
for varicose veins - approximately 1 cm to the right or left of the affected vein (or in a checkerboard pattern), in no case on it;
for migraines - on the temples and behind the ears;
for inflammation of the genitourinary system - on the coccyx area, next to the anus;
for gynecological diseases - on the lower abdomen;
for radiculitis - on the lower back, symmetrically to the right and left of the spine;
for problems with the liver - on the area around it;
for joint diseases - along the perimeter of the problem area;
for kidney disease - just above the lower back;
for obesity - on the sacrum and tailbone area, if its cause is problems with hormones, then also behind the ears;
for aesthetic problems with facial skin - at the base of the back of the head, behind the ears, on the collarbones closer to the shoulders;
for dermatological diseases - along the perimeter of the problem area;
for stress and for general improvement of well-being - on the solar plexus, navel, behind the ears, on the temples.

There are a lot of biologically active points on the body; only a specialist can accurately determine their location

Never place leeches on:

large blood vessels (especially the femoral artery);
places with very thin skin (eyelids, neck, décolleté, scrotum);
face (bite marks may not heal completely, leaving unaesthetic scars);
mucous membranes (rectum, vagina, oral cavity, cervix).

After the session, the bite sites are disinfected with hydrogen peroxide or another antiseptic, and sterile pressure bandages are applied (the same ones are designed to stop venous bleeding). Blood continues to ooze for another 6 to 24 hours; this is normal. The intensity of the process depends on the degree of its coagulation. If necessary, you can apply another bandage over the old one. Feminine sanitary pads help well in this case. But still plan your day so that after the session you can get home as quickly as possible.

After the procedure, for 2–3 days it is recommended:

minimize any physical activity, if possible, generally observe bed rest;
do not take hot baths;
do not treat puncture sites with iodine, brilliant green, or alcohol (you can get burned, this will slow down tissue regeneration);
do not use cosmetics and perfumes;
as prescribed by a doctor, take a course of iron-containing or antihistamines, use creams or ointments for bruises and swelling.

After a few days, crusts form at the site of the bites. Under no circumstances should they be torn off. Dark spots and ugly scars will remain. Traces of the procedure completely disappear after 3–4 weeks. The smaller the leeches used, the faster this happens.

Traces from leech bites, if you follow all the doctor’s recommendations, disappear without a trace within a month at the latest

How to place a leech?

So, you have decided on the procedure and will use leeches for weight loss. The necessary points (the photo will help you navigate the placement) are marked with a pencil and you can begin. Now the most important thing is that the picky creatures agree to suckle. To do this, the body must be washed clean without the use of scented gels and soaps. Give up alcohol and cigarettes, as well as perfume.

The area where you will place the leech should be treated with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, and then rinsed with water. Now put on a glove and use a small cup to catch the leech. By turning the vessel over, you can see how the leech has moved to the skin and sucked on.

Slippery, nasty annelids are very beneficial to the human body. Thanks to hirudotherapy, many different health problems can be solved, including obesity. However, before starting to treat the pathology at home, it is important to know about leeches for weight loss - where to place them (for this they use suitable points on the body), how many individuals can be used at a time, how often the placement can be done. Those who have tried this unconventional method of combating excess weight note a quick and lasting effect.

What are leeches

Hirudo medicinalis, also known as medicinal leeches, is a type of annelid worm measuring 10-15 cm in size and brown-green in color. They have suction cups on the back and front of the body, thanks to which they are attached to the human body. When leeches damage the epidermis, the creature's saliva, which contains histamine and hirudin, gets under the patient's skin. The former stimulates local vasodilation, and the latter serves as an anticoagulant that prevents blood clotting. These substances, together with an anesthetic, ensure a painless procedure during suction of the worms.

Treatment with leeches is called hirudotherapy. Similar to acupuncture, the method brings effective results. Leeches are used not only to treat various diseases, but also in cosmetology. In addition to losing weight and generally improving well-being, patients who have completed a course of hirudotherapy can get rid of cellulite, improve the condition of the skin of the face and body, and cure acne. For some, worms help in the treatment of varicose veins.

Indications for placing leeches

The benefits of hirudotherapy are obvious and proven by numerous reviews from people who have tried it. The main indications for placing leeches are:

heart and vascular diseases;
pathologies of the respiratory system;
inflammation of the genital organs, diseases of the genitourinary system;
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
inflammation of the biliary tract and liver;
high blood pressure;
cosmetic defects;
neurological pathologies;
eye diseases;
scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus;
joint diseases;
pathologies of the endocrine system, kidneys, liver, etc.

Thanks to hirudotherapy, an accelerated metabolism is launched, the human body is saturated with oxygen and freed from excess fluid. As a result of undergoing a 14-day treatment, you can achieve a significant reduction in body weight (up to a loss of 5-7 kg), without resorting to sports or grueling diets. However, despite this effect, doctors prohibit patients from resorting to hirudotherapy for weight loss more than once a year (except for individual indications).

Leech placement points

To achieve cleansing and rejuvenation of the body, it is important to follow the correct technique for installing worms. Suitable points for hirudotherapy can be seen in the diagram below. However, each hirudotherapist, when choosing places, focuses on the individual characteristics of each client. Almost any area is suitable for placing worms, the only exceptions being areas of large vessels and places where the skin is very thin, for example the area around the eyes. The main points for setting leeches for obesity are located along the chakras:

coccyx;
sacrum;
navel;
area on the abdomen near the pancreas;
solar plexus;
heart area;
dimple at the base of the neck;
center of forehead;
crown area.

Leeches in the fight against excess weight: features of the procedure

Leeches for weight loss began to be used not so long ago. In ancient times, it was not necessary to put annelids on the body to lose weight. They were used more to treat a wide variety of diseases. The revival of this practice happened in the 70s of the last century. But even at that time, various diseases were treated with annelids, but they did not think about obesity.

Hirudotherapy has only recently begun to be used for weight loss. The technique immediately became widespread. Despite fear and disgust, many people decide to use the technique because it:

Allows you to reduce total weight by 5–7 kg for all prescribed sessions;
Provides an opportunity to restore the functionality of various organs;
Allows you to get a lasting effect after eliminating extra pounds;
It will not require the use of various exhausting diet programs.

During the suction process, the leeches inject an anesthetic into the microwound - a substance that has an analgesic effect.

Leeches for weight loss

Annelids are suitable for the treatment of various diseases; in addition, hirudotherapy is widely used for weight loss. Thanks to it, metabolism is accelerated, decay products and excess fluid are removed from the body. Leeches are treated not through bites, but through the saliva they secrete, which enters the human blood through the wound and contains one and a half hundred useful enzymes. When they enter the circulatory system, these substances have a beneficial effect on the circulatory and immune systems, normalize blood pressure and hormonal levels.

For weight loss, components of worm saliva such as hyaluronidase and lipase are especially important. The latter actively destroys fat, and the former helps fight cellulite. Hirudotherapy, according to doctors, is an effective and healthy way to combat excess weight. Thanks to it, a person’s metabolic processes and brain activity are accelerated, and the immune system is strengthened. However, the procedure can cause harm to health if you do not take into account the specifics of its implementation, so it is important to know about leeches for weight loss - where to put it, how often to do it, etc.

severe anemia;
blood incoagulability;
low blood pressure;
menstruation;
pregnancy;
diathesis of hemorrhagic type;
oncological diseases.

Indications for use

Considering all the processes that are launched in the body under the influence of leech saliva, they began to be used in the treatment of excess weight. Hirudotherapy is prescribed in the following cases:

When other treatment methods do not give a positive result or you want to speed up the process of losing excess weight.
If the reason for gaining excess body weight is impaired metabolism, clogging of the body with toxic substances due to systematically poor nutrition.
If you need to restore the body and normalize the functioning of the digestive system after a person, in order to lose weight, has been on a strict diet with a very limited diet for a long time, which has resulted in a lack of vitamins and minerals.
Quickly get rid of cellulite.
When excess weight is caused by fluid accumulation in the soft tissues, and the person has extensive swelling.

Hirudotherapy for the purpose of losing weight is only an auxiliary method. To achieve the fastest results and gain a slim figure, you must follow a diet and perform regular exercise.

Benefits of leech treatment

The enzymes contained in the saliva of worms have a positive effect on the body, activate and normalize processes that promote active and proper weight loss. Beneficial properties of hirudotherapy for the body in the process of losing weight:

Drainage effect and removal of excess fluid from soft tissues. Swelling is eliminated, due to which volumes are reduced, especially in the abdomen and legs.
Lipolytic action. The enzyme contained in the saliva of the pharmaceutical worm promotes the active burning of subcutaneous fat. At the same time, fat cells are transformed into energy that tones the body.
Stimulation of the immune system. Helps normalize metabolism and speed up metabolism. Thus, the effect of dietary nutrition is enhanced, and extra pounds disappear faster.
Antihypoxic effect. Under the influence of saliva, the blood is saturated with oxygen, due to which the process of breakdown of fat cells in the subcutaneous layer is much more active.
Normalization of digestive processes. Beneficial enzymes in saliva speed up the process of digesting food, and all nutrients entering the body with food are absorbed correctly and evenly.
Reflex action. Leeches have a beneficial effect on the body. After the hirudotherapy procedure, vitality increases, the body is filled with energy, mood and emotional background improve.

Under the influence of leeches, the process of reflex transmission of nerve impulses is restored and improved, the consequences of the negative influence of stressful situations are eliminated, due to which a person’s metabolic processes are disrupted and excess weight appears.

Hirudotherapy has a positive effect on the skin and helps in the fight against cellulite. After several sessions, the skin becomes smooth and elastic, local metabolic processes are improved, blood circulation is normalized, due to which the “orange peel” is smoothed out.

What are the benefits of hirudotherapy

The first evidence of the use of annelids, called “live needles,” for bloodletting is found in ancient Indian Ayurvedic treatises. Essentially, this creature is a parasite that needs a warm-blooded “food source” in order to feed itself. Previously, worms were widespread in nature, they could be found in any pond, but industrial-scale fishing that lasted for almost a thousand years greatly reduced their population.

It is now almost impossible to find leeches in nature; long-term regular catching could not but affect their numbers

Hippocrates, Galen, and Avicenna recognized the health benefits of leeches. In the 17th-18th centuries, leeches and bloodletting were considered a remedy for almost all diseases, using them in excessive quantities. The results were not encouraging, so the technique was discredited. By the 19th century, its popularity had declined significantly. Although, for example, the outstanding Russian surgeon N.I. Pirogov widely practiced the use of worms during the Crimean War, for example, to stop bleeding.

The oral apparatus of a leech is a kind of suction cup

In the last years of the 19th century, hirudotherapy acquired a scientific basis. In 1884, John Haycraft isolated the enzyme hirudin from leech saliva and discovered its anticoagulant properties (the substance prevents blood from clotting too quickly, thins it). Around the same time, special medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) were bred, which are more beneficial for human health than their “wild” relatives.

In hirudotherapy, only special medical leeches are used.

Now leeches successfully withstand competition from traditional medicine, complementing and even replacing drug treatment methods. Their popularity is due to the fact that any drug, especially an antibiotic, has a lot of contraindications and often causes allergic reactions and other complications. This is also possible with leeches, but the list of contraindications is much shorter. Hirudotherapy and acupuncture are two overlapping techniques. Leeches are placed on special active points. Worms often find them themselves.

Hirudotherapy and acupuncture are closely interrelated and harmoniously complement each other

Leech saliva contains many biologically active substances:

hirudin. Has anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effects;
hyaluronidase. “Dissolves” hyaluronic acid molecules, which create a “shell” of connective tissue around inflammation, which makes it difficult for oxygen and nutrients carried by blood and lymph to reach this area;
Eglin. Accelerates tissue regeneration processes;
apyrase and collagenase. They prevent atherosclerosis from developing by preventing platelets from “sticking together” into lumps;
vasodilators. A group of substances that dilate small capillaries and normalize blood flow;
proteinase inhibitors. Counteracts substances that destroy protein and amino acid chains.

Pressing the skin with its oral sucker, the leech bites it 1.7–2 mm deep and takes 12–15 ml of blood, “in return” leaving its saliva. It disperses throughout the body along with the blood, acting not only at the point of attachment, but throughout the entire body. The process takes 20–60 minutes. As a result:

blood and lymph flow is normalized;
blood viscosity decreases;
small blood clots are resolved and their occurrence is prevented;
processes of tissue nutrition at the cellular level, metabolism are normalized, oxygen circulation improves;
vascular spasms are relieved;
High blood pressure is normalized;
swelling and foci of inflammation disappear;
has an anesthetic effect.

Leeches also have a general healing effect. After the sessions, sleep and appetite are normalized, well-being and mood improve, depression and chronic anxiety syndrome disappear, performance and stress resistance increase.

Video: general information about hirudotherapy

Mechanism of weight loss

Some people have a misconception about the effect of leeches on the process of losing weight. They believe that getting rid of excess weight is achieved due to the fact that leeches drink blood. But the process of losing weight with hirudotherapy is different.

The saliva of pharmaceutical worms contains many useful enzymes and substances that normalize those disturbed processes that cause rapid weight gain and the inability to lose it. Excess weight and cellulite are diseases that have their own causes. And leeches eliminate these causes and failures.

Weight loss with hirudotherapy is achieved due to the normalization of the functioning of the hormonal system. The concentration of substances responsible for appetite and the feeling of satiety is leveled out. As a result, diets are easier to tolerate, it becomes possible to control your appetite and reduce the amount of food consumed. The process of transformation of fat cells into energy reduces the body's need for high-calorie food.

In addition to normalizing metabolic processes, which play a primary role in weight loss, leeches remove excess water from soft tissues, which means volume loss will be faster. In this case, there is no need to take medications with a diuretic effect, as people do to get rid of stagnant fluid.

Where to put leeches?

Only a doctor can determine the places where worms should be placed to achieve the best and fastest effect. The scheme for placing leeches is determined individually depending on which areas are the most problematic.

Most often, leeches are placed on the stomach and sacrum, because All processes take place there that require normalization and contribute to active weight loss. To remove swelling from the face and form a beautiful oval, pharmaceutical worms are placed on the neck and face area. Worms are also placed behind the ears - there are points that have biological activity.

During a session, 1 leech drinks from 5 to 10 ml of blood. During the procedure, after the leech is sucked onto the skin, a slight tingling sensation may occur. This is normal, you should not be afraid of such sensations.

Efficiency and results of the procedure

Hirudotherapy, combined with proper nutrition and regular physical activity, will help you lose 5 to 8 kg in a month. Due to the active breakdown of the subcutaneous fat layer and the transformation of fat cells into energy, the body receives an additional charge of vigor. This helps in playing sports, because... Physical endurance increases, strength and desire to exercise longer and more appear.

The effect of hirudotherapy, such as restoration of metabolism, promotes the active breakdown of fat cells entering the body with food. Fat is used to replenish the body's energy reserves, and is not deposited in the layer. The first results from using worms will appear within a few days.

Accelerating metabolism is one of the key factors influencing the process of losing weight. All food entering the body is quickly digested, nutrients are properly distributed throughout the soft tissues, and intestinal peristalsis is accelerated. After a hirudotherapy session, a person physically feels lightness in the intestines.

Leeches remove toxic substances from the body, cleansing the digestive system, eliminating stagnation, and this also helps to reduce body weight.

Such a property of leeches as normalizing the condition and functioning of the hormonal and endocrine systems has a beneficial effect on the process of losing weight. Stabilization of hormonal levels allows you to reduce appetite, which has the best effect on the process of losing weight.

The effectiveness of hirudotherapy for weight loss also lies in improving the emotional background. A good mood and a boost of vigor make it easier to tolerate the diet. The absence of a depressed state and increased resistance to stressful situations reduce the feeling of hunger. The body stops requiring calories as a way to deal with stressful situations.

Elimination of frequent feelings of hunger and the inability to control appetite is also achieved due to the fact that hirudotherapy normalizes the concentration of sugar in the blood, so a person ceases to be drawn to sweet foods. The procedure also helps to normalize blood cholesterol levels, which leads to weight loss and prevents its re-gain.

What is obesity?

The main cause of obesity is excessive food consumption. As a result, the body receives more calories than it needs for life. They create a layer of fat.

Getting rid of excess weight is sometimes impossible for years. There are several types of illness that are associated with:

eating junk food;
hormonal imbalance;
changes in fat metabolism.

The first type of disease is most common. If you get too carried away with food, weight begins to increase immediately. Excess calories begin to be deposited in problem areas: in women on the hips, in men in the abdomen. This type of disease can be successfully treated with medicinal worms.

For maximum effectiveness, you should additionally give up junk food by excluding from your diet:

baking;
sweets;
chocolate;
sweet drinks;
fast food;
salted, fried and smoked foods.

And you need to drink more water, because water is the key to recovery from any illness. And you can find out how living and dead water is used for weight loss by clicking on the link.

INTERESTING fact: What diseases are treated with leeches

To all of the above, you should also add regular physical activity, gradually increasing it.

Contraindications for carrying out

Hirudotherapy has contraindications and restrictions for use, in the presence of which it is strictly prohibited to use this method of losing weight. Contraindications include:

hemophilia is a congenital disease characterized by a reduced rate of blood clotting and a high risk of extensive and prolonged bleeding;
diathesis of hemorrhagic type - sudden opening of bleeding;
anemia;
individual intolerance to leech saliva;
hirudophobia - panic fear of ringed worms;
pregnancy;
the presence of malignant and benign neoplasms in the body.

After the procedure, the wounds left by the leeches' teeth may bleed a little for 1–2 days. This is a normal reaction and does not require medical attention. Minor bleeding will go away on its own.

Contraindications

Medicinal worm therapy may not be suitable for everyone. It is recommended to carry it out after consultation with a specialist, having passed all the examinations.

Therapy is contraindicated in the following cases:

in the presence of hemophilia;
in case of allergic reactions to the components of the worm secretion;
for problems with the pancreas;
during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
at low pressure;
for mental disorders;
in the presence of malignant tumors;
with iron deficiency.

Reviews

Oksana, 48 years old, Murmansk: “I have been undergoing hirudotherapy twice a year for several years now. It, combined with proper nutrition and regular fitness, helps maintain weight at the same level. “Besides, after a session with leeches I feel much better.”

Marina, 31 years old, Kemerovo: “After giving birth, I had problems with being overweight. I couldn’t do anything about it: diets didn’t help, I was too lazy to play sports, and I didn’t have enough time for it. I turned to a nutritionist, he prepared a nutrition program and advised me to undergo hirudotherapy. Maybe I lost weight only due to the right diet, but the fact that my skin became smooth and toned and cellulite disappeared is definitely thanks to leeches.”

Angela, 27 years old, Moscow: “It took me a long time to get ready for a session with leeches. The first procedure was difficult; the leeches on the body seemed extremely unpleasant. But I calmed down and went through the procedure to the end. And after a couple of days I saw the first results. In 10 sessions, along with following a diet and regular exercise, I lost about 7 kg. The skin on my stomach has become more toned, cellulite has disappeared on my thighs.”