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| - Last Updated on October 29, 2024 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
A social media post claims that leech therapy can cure cervical pain in 7 sessions. We did the fact check and found out it’s Mostly False.
The Claim
A viral Instagram reel claims that leech therapy can cure cervical pain. The video shows a therapist applying leeches to a patient’s neck, stating that noticeable relief is seen after just one session. It suggests that seven sessions will cure the pain, with laser treatment also used to enhance results.
Fact Check
Can leech therapy help relieve cervical pain?
It may, but only temporarily. Leech therapy, also called hirudotherapy, is an old treatment that uses leeches to improve blood flow and ease swelling. Leeches release substances like hirudin, which act as natural blood thinners and reduce inflammation. This can sometimes help with temporary pain relief.
However, this does not mean a cure. Leech therapy might relieve pain by improving blood flow and reducing swelling, but it doesn’t fix the root causes of cervical pain, like muscle strain, nerve issues, or disc problems. So, relying only on leech therapy without other treatments may not solve cervical pain. Leech therapy is also gaining popularity for its potential cosmetic benefits, particularly in the context of leech therapy for acne and hyperpigmentation. However, these claims have not been definitively proven.
We reached out to Dr Aryan Kumar Mohanty, Senior Resident, Department of Orthopaedics, MKCG Medical College & Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha, for his take on leech therapy for cervical pain. He says, “While some people may report benefits, the absence of evidence and potential risks, especially for patients with bleeding disorders, immunocompromised conditions, or diabetes, should raise caution. Instead, treatment of neck pain should be directly proportional to the type and duration of pain, which is closely related to the underlying cause. The probable types of pain are axial pain (confined to the neck) and radicular pain (radiating to the shoulder or arms).”
Dr Mohanty adds, “The possible causes of neck pain can be mechanical (degeneration of the intervertebral disc, fractures, canal stenosis) or non-mechanical (tumours, inflammatory conditions, infections). Since neck pain can result from numerous causes, a thorough medical history, physical examination, and lab and imaging tests will be helpful in identifying the underlying cause.”
Is there scientific proof that leech therapy works for cervical pain?
No, there isn’t strong evidence for this claim. Research on leech therapy mostly focuses on conditions like arthritis, varicose veins, and recovery after surgery. Some studies show it helps with osteoarthritis pain and healing wounds. However, there’s no solid research proving that it can cure cervical pain, let alone within seven sessions.There is also another claim suggesting that leech therapy can completely cure cancer instead of conventional cancer treatments; however, this is not true.
A 2023 review indicates that leech therapy shows promise for wound healing and post-trauma care but also stresses on the fact that we need more studies to understand its benefits. Another study from 2022 shows positive effects when combining leech therapy with herbal treatments for frozen shoulder. But no research confirms it can cure cervical pain.
What are the risks of leech therapy?
Yes, there are risks, including:
- Prolonged bleeding
- Infections
- Allergic reactions
The bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila lives in a leech’s gut and can cause serious infections if passed to patients. Some reported cases include pneumonia, gastroenteritis, and even sepsis (a severe infection). Therefore, proper aftercare is very important, usually involving antibiotics.
Can combining leech therapy with laser treatment cure cervical pain?
No, this is unlikely. Laser therapy might help reduce inflammation, but no evidence shows that combining it with leech therapy cures cervical pain. The social media post gives a false impression, suggesting that this combination will fix the pain in just a few sessions.
Neck pain can arise from arthritis, disc degeneration, muscle inflammation, or strain. In rare cases, it may signal serious issues like cancer or meningitis. For severe neck pain, consult your doctor, and you might need to see a specialist, such as a neurosurgeon, for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Effective treatment usually needs a mix of methods customised to each person’s condition. Claiming a cure in “seven sessions” is unrealistic and might lead to false hopes.
Can cervical pain be cured in seven sessions of leech therapy?
No, it is highly unlikely. Cervical pain can have various causes, like muscle strain, herniated discs, or nerve irritation. Different causes may require various treatments, including physical therapy, medication, or possibly surgery. Suggesting that leech therapy alone can cure it in seven sessions ignores the complexity of treating cervical pain. Successful treatment plans typically include a mix of methods, and making broad claims about a cure can be misleading. Apart from leech therapy, there are also claims suggesting the use of bee venom for back pain, but this hasn’t been clinically proven to work as a cure yet.
Senior Physiotherapist Upma Lal, states, “There is no credible evidence to support leech therapy as a cure for cervical pain, let alone in just seven sessions. Treating cervical pain should be based on the underlying cause, with a focus on targeted physiotherapy, posture correction, and strength-building exercises for long-term relief. Quick fixes like this lack scientific backing and may pose health risks, especially for certain patients.”
THIP Media Take
Leech therapy has shown some benefits for managing pain in conditions like arthritis and wound healing. However, there’s no scientific evidence supporting the claim that it can cure cervical pain in seven sessions. Plus, the therapy carries risks, including infection and bleeding. The claim in the viral video is therefore mostly false. Anyone dealing with cervical pain should consult healthcare professionals for proven, evidence-based treatments instead of relying on unverified remedies.
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