{"id":"972c54f9-4c41-4660-98fc-8282e250e479","slug":"leech-therapy-for-pain-relief-rational-behind-a-notion","title":"Leech therapy for pain relief: Rational behind a notion","authors":["Mohsen Nouri","Kourosh Karimi-Yarandi","Farhad Etezadi","Abbas Amirjamshidi"],"abstract":"Background: Leech therapy, known as 'Jalaukavacharan' in Ayurveda, has been used for medicinal purposes, including pain relief, since ancient times. The therapy has seen a resurgence in interest due to its potential therapeutic effects and minimal adverse effects. Despite its historical usage, the mechanisms of action for leech therapy in pain relief remain poorly understood. Methods: This article presents a case study of a 34-year-old woman with left L5 radiculopathy who experienced temporary pain relief after leech therapy performed by a traditional healer. The patient subsequently underwent L4/L5 discectomy, resulting in complete symptom recovery. The article discusses the rationale behind leech therapy and its historical context. Results: The case highlights the potential for leech therapy to provide temporary pain relief in patients with radiculopathy. The discussion includes various components of leech saliva that may contribute to anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, as well as references to recent studies that support the efficacy of leech therapy in other pain conditions. Conclusion: Leech therapy may serve as a temporary solution for pain relief in medically high-risk or reluctant patients, despite the availability of advanced treatment options. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the effectiveness of leech therapy specifically for lumbago and sciatica. Keywords: leech therapy, pain relief, sciatica, Hirudo medicinalis, Ayurveda, radiculopathy, analgesic effects, traditional medicine","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/972c54f9-4c41-4660-98fc-8282e250e479/featured/hero-1782420975248.png","publishDate":"2012-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/2152-7806.105098","categories":["Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"http://sni.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/3499/SNI-3-159.pdf"}