Introduction to therapy

Before deciding on therapy with medicinal leeches, it is important to be aware that this is a serious and responsible therapeutic procedure. For most people, the first challenge is to overcome the initial reluctance or unease at the thought of leeches, but experience shows that this feeling usually passes quickly.

Therapy with medicinal leeches is carried out according to established professional guidelines and in keeping with the basic principles of safe practice. Even so, every therapy places a certain load on the body, so it is important that each person prepares appropriately for the procedure and allows enough time for it.

In an age when we are used to quick fixes and immediate results, we often forget that the processes of adjustment and of restoring balance in the body usually take time. Hirudotherapy is therefore not about looking for shortcuts, but about supporting the body's natural processes in a gradual and holistic way.

The therapy itself, together with preparation, applying the leeches and caring for the bite site, can take up to two hours, so we recommend that you set aside enough time for your visit and do not come to the therapy in a hurry.

Before beginning therapy, we recommend basic laboratory blood tests, in particular a check of haemoglobin, iron and other important blood parameters. Based on the results, we assess whether the therapy is suitable for the individual. In cases of marked anaemia or other significant deviations, the therapy is generally not performed.

The leeches may remain attached for anywhere from about 15 minutes to more than an hour, depending on the purpose of the therapy, the site of application and the individual's response. After the leech is removed, or "detached", prolonged bleeding is usually present; this is a normal part of the therapeutic process and may continue for several hours.

Come to the therapy in comfortable clothing. Since the dressings and the bite site may continue to release small amounts of blood or other bodily fluids for some time after the therapy, we advise against wearing especially delicate or favourite clothes.