About

Before you have leech therapy, the therapist will talk through the treatment, including any risks or side effects. They will then ask you to sign a consent form. This confirms that you are happy for the treatment to go ahead and you understand what is involved.

Prior to the treatment

You are asked to avoid drinking any drinks containing caffeine (such as tea, coffee and energy drinks). You will also need to avoid or minimise the use of nicotine-containing products (such as cigarettes or nicotine patches). This is important, as caffeine and nicotine cause blood vessels to narrow, which may affect the success of your treatment.

What happens during leech therapy?

The therapist will explain the procedure for applying the leech therapy. They will continue to monitor you whilst the therapy is applied and during treatment.

The area to be treated will be cleaned before the application of the leech. How many leeches are used and how often they need to be applied will depend on how severely your tissue is congested.

The therapist will guide the leeches to the affected area, where they will attach. We may need to cover the leeches with a dressing, to make sure they stay in the correct position during the procedure. You will be asked to remain in one position while the leech therapy is taking place. This helps to prevent the therapy being disrupted.

To check if the leech therapy is working, the therapist will monitor the colour of your skin and the amount of oozing around the site of attachment to check on blood loss (usually there is a small amount, which helps to reduce the congestion).

The leech will be attached for between 30-60 minutes. Once the leech has finished feeding, it may fall off or be removed. Each leech is used only once and is humanely disposed of at the end of the treatment.

When the leech has finished, the therapist will clean away the dried blood to keep the bleeding going. If the colour of the tissue is returning to normal (a healthy pink colour) then the circulation has improved.

It is important not to stop leeching too soon, as it may take three to five days for the new blood vessels to grow and be able to maintain a good blood supply.

Will I feel any pain?

No. The leech produces an anaesthetic, which makes the attaching painless. At most a small initial pinching sensation might be felt.

Сontra-indications for Leech Therapy:
• Anaemia
• Haemophilia
• Pregnancy
• Very low blood pressure (prolonged)
• Severe exhaustion
• Strong allergic reaction to insect bites
• Any diagnosed blood disorders
• Recent treatment with anticoagulants
• Chronic alcoholism
• Hepatitis (any variety)
• HIV / AIDS
• Sexually transmitted diseases

Consent form
I have read and understood the leech therapy procedure and I give my consent to the therapist to touch my skin and proceed with leech therapy.

I confirm that, as far as I know, I do not belong to any contra-indicated groups.

I confirm I do not have any COVID-19 symptoms at the time of the treatment.