Reto Graf
DemoPraxis Reto Graf
- 4.8(4)
- Bern
- Languages: de · en · fr
Leech therapyNaturopathyTraditional European Medicine (TEM)
ASCA
- Price
- CHF 66–150
- Next appointment
- Available Thu, 15 Oct
Leech therapy
In leech therapy, medicinal leeches are placed on the skin, usually near a painful area. They attach themselves and suck blood for about 30 to 90 minutes before falling off on their own. Their saliva brings substances such as hirudin into the wound, which slow blood clotting and may reduce inflammation locally.
- therapists
- 2
- session length
- 60–120 min
Therascout does not diagnose. Have new, severe or persistent complaints checked by a doctor first. In an emergency: 144
Origin and approach
Leeches have been used since ancient times; in plastic surgery they are now used specifically for blood congestion, for example after a finger has been reattached. In naturopathy, leech therapy is one of the draining methods. Some smaller studies show pain relief for a few weeks in knee osteoarthritis; for most other uses there is no evidence.
What a session is like
Length: 60–120 min- Beforehand, blood thinners, blood clotting, allergies and your general health are checked.
- The skin is cleaned and usually 2 to 6 leeches are applied; the bite is briefly noticeable, similar to a nettle sting.
- After they fall off, the small wound keeps bleeding for 12 to 24 hours and is covered with an absorbent dressing.
- The leeches are used only once; the wound is checked in the following days.
Leech therapy: what is it used for?
- Joint pain from knee osteoarthritis; there are some smaller studies on this.
- Back pain; this use is based on tradition and experience.
- Vein problems and bruises, traditionally.
How well is the effect supported?
Complaints for which this method is commonly used, sorted by the state of research. The rating shows how well the effect is supported, not whether it will help you.
What do the dots mean?How to read the rating
- Established
- recommended in guidelines, well studied
- Partly supported
- effect shown in studies, with limitations
- Limited evidence
- few or weak studies
- Hardly studied
- used, but hardly or not studied
The rating covers the research, not the therapist.
- Limited evidence
Joint pain
A few small trials show less knee osteoarthritis pain for some weeks.
Therapists: Leech therapy
Jasmin Wyss
DemoPraxis Jasmin Wyss
- 5.0(2)
- Zurich
- Languages: de
Leech therapyNaturopathyHerbal medicine (phytotherapy)ASCA- Price
- CHF 60–140
Costs and health insurance
- Basic insurance
- only with doctors who hold the relevant certificate.
- Supplementary insurance
- often 50–80% with EMR- or ASCA-recognised therapists, often up to an annual maximum.
- Your insurer
- Each profile shows which insurers recognise the therapist.
- Practice prices
- See prices in each practice profile.
Good to know
- Usually 1 to 3 treatments are enough; expect continued bleeding, itching and small scars.
- Not suitable with blood thinners, clotting disorders, anaemia, a weakened immune system or during pregnancy; infections or allergic reactions occur rarely.
- Medicinal leeches come from controlled breeding; treatment does not replace a medical assessment.
Training and recognition in Switzerland
Leech therapy is offered by doctors and by naturopaths, for example with the federal diploma in Traditional European Medicine (OdA AM); depending on the canton, a licence is required. Basic insurance generally does not pay for it; supplementary insurers contribute depending on the policy, usually only with EMR or ASCA registration.