Natural and Alternative Treatment with Medicinal Leeches in Northeast Philadelphia

At Leech Therapy USA in Northeast Philadelphia, Dr. Konstantin Lakeev offers a natural, alternative and holistic approach to chronic disease: treatment with medicinal leeches (hirudotherapy), hirudopuncture and wet cupping. He trained as a physician, later studied neurology, physical therapy and acupuncture, and has practiced hirudotherapy since 1997.

Why patients look for natural and alternative medicine

Patients usually find us when standard treatment has not been enough: the pain keeps coming back, the medicine doses keep growing, or the side effects have become a problem of their own. Others simply want to treat the cause of their disease in a natural way, without more chemicals. Holistic medicine looks at the body as one system, and so does leech therapy.

How leech therapy works on the whole body

A medicinal leech does much more than draw a little blood. With its saliva it injects natural biologically active substances, among them hirudin. Together they:

• thin the blood and restore microcirculation, the flow of blood through the smallest vessels;
• quickly and permanently relieve swelling and have a draining effect;
• reduce inflammation and pain;
• stimulate the immune system.

Because blood flow, swelling and inflammation are behind so many chronic diseases, one natural method can help the heart and vessels, joints and spine, nerves, hormones and internal organs at the same time.

Hirudopuncture: leeches on acupuncture points

Dr. Lakeev first worked as a neurologist and used acupuncture and moxibustion in his practice. He found that placing leeches on the points where he would usually insert a needle gave much stronger results. This method, called hirudopuncture, places leeches on the active points of the body known from Asian medicine, not only over the painful area. Hirudopuncture is still the foundation of his practice. Its effect is softer and longer lasting than acupuncture alone.

Wet cupping

In some conditions, leech therapy is combined with wet cupping. The small bleeding under the skin acts as a kind of autohemotherapy and helps scars, adhesions and congestion resolve. Dr. Lakeev decides at the consultation whether cupping will help in your case.

Conditions we treat naturally

Heart and blood vessels: coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, varicose veins, leg and venous ulcers.
Joints, spine and nerves: arthritis and knee pain, back pain and sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, chronic headaches and migraines, shingles pain.
Women's and men's health: gynecological conditions, menopause and hot flashes, prostatitis, low testosterone, interstitial cystitis.
Digestion and liver: hepatitis B and C, liver cleanse, chronic pancreatitis, abdominal and pelvic adhesions.
Breathing, ears and eyes: bronchial asthma, sinusitis, chronic ear infections, glaucoma and other eye diseases.
Hormones, skin and energy: Hashimoto's and thyroid disease, acne, eczema and other skin diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome, long COVID.

Natural treatment together with your doctor

Leech therapy is complementary medicine: it works alongside standard treatment, not against it. Keep seeing your doctor and do not stop prescribed medicines on your own. Many patients find that, as their condition improves, their doctor can lower the doses step by step. Tell Dr. Lakeev which medicines you take, especially blood thinners.

What a course of treatment looks like

At the first visit Dr. Lakeev asks about your health, reviews your test results and explains the plan. A session lasts from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours. How many leeches are used, where they are placed and how often the sessions are repeated depend on the disease, and the result and how long it lasts depend on getting this right. A typical course is 7 to 9 sessions, once or twice a week, and the effect most often lasts from six months to a year.

Is it safe?

Leech therapy must be done by a trained professional. We use only FDA-cleared medicinal leeches, and each leech is used only once. Read about leech therapy safety and contraindications and what to expect at your first visit.