American Society of Hirudotherapy

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Conditions

165

Tension-Type Headache

Tier C

Investigational use with small case series suggesting frequency reduction in chronic tension headache via reduction of pericranial muscle tension and venous congestion.

InvestigationalCase report

Hemorrhoids (Grade II-III, Symptomatic)

Tier C

Investigational use for symptomatic relief of grade II-III internal/external hemorrhoidal disease; does not address anatomic prolapse.

InvestigationalCase report

Glaucoma (Adjunctive)

Tier C

Investigational adjunctive use in primary open-angle glaucoma; weak case-series evidence. Not a substitute for IOP-lowering eye drops or surgery.

InvestigationalCase report

Dry Eye Syndrome

Tier C

Investigational use for dry eye disease; mechanism via reduction of meibomian gland inflammation. Weak case-series evidence.

InvestigationalCase report

Fibromyalgia

Tier C

Investigational adjunctive use; one small pilot suggests transient improvement in tender-point and quality-of-life scores. Not a primary treatment.

InvestigationalCase report

Lipodermatosclerosis

Tier C

Investigational use for chronic lipodermatosclerosis; small case series suggest softening of fibrotic gaiter-area skin changes.

InvestigationalCase report

Androgenic Alopecia

Tier C

Investigational use for androgenic alopecia; mechanism via local scalp perfusion improvement. Single-arm series only.

InvestigationalCase report

Rosacea (Erythematotelangiectatic)

Tier C

Investigational use for erythematotelangiectatic rosacea; case-series evidence for reduction in facial erythema.

InvestigationalCase report

Plaque Psoriasis (Localized)

Tier C

Investigational use for localized stable plaque psoriasis; small case series suggest plaque thinning. Not a primary treatment.

InvestigationalCase report

Atopic Eczema (Localized Refractory)

Tier C

Investigational use for localized refractory atopic dermatitis; very limited case-series evidence.

InvestigationalCase report

Chronic Recurrent Cellulitis

Tier C

Investigational use for chronic recurrent (non-acute) cellulitis with underlying lymphedema or venous insufficiency.

InvestigationalCase report

Primary or Secondary Lymphedema

Tier C

Investigational adjunctive use; case-series evidence for limb-volume reduction when combined with complete decongestive therapy.

InvestigationalCase report

Acute Gout Flare

Tier C

Investigational use for acute monoarticular gout when NSAIDs and colchicine are contraindicated; small case series.

InvestigationalCase report

Mid-Substance Achilles Tendinopathy

Tier C

Investigational use for chronic mid-substance Achilles tendinopathy; case-series evidence for pain and VISA-A score improvement.

InvestigationalCase report

Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

Tier C

Investigational use for non-surgical rotator cuff tendinopathy and chronic shoulder impingement; case-series evidence for pain reduction.

InvestigationalCase report

Trigger Finger (Stenosing Tenosynovitis)

Tier C

Investigational use for stenosing tenosynovitis of the digital flexor pulleys; small case series.

InvestigationalCase report

Dupuytren's Contracture (Early Stage)

Tier C

Investigational use for early-stage Dupuytren's nodules; case-series evidence for nodule softening, not for established contracture.

InvestigationalCase report

Plantar Fibromatosis (Ledderhose Disease)

Tier C

Investigational use for plantar fascia nodules in early Ledderhose disease; case-series evidence for symptomatic improvement.

InvestigationalCase report

Chronic Prostatitis / Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS)

Tier C

Investigational use for category III CP/CPPS; small case series suggest symptom reduction. Multimodal therapy remains standard.

InvestigationalCase report

Endometriosis-Related Pelvic Pain

Tier C

Investigational adjunctive use for chronic endometriosis-related pelvic pain; very limited evidence. Not a substitute for hormonal or surgical management.

InvestigationalCase report

Primary Dysmenorrhea

Tier C

Investigational use for primary dysmenorrhea refractory to NSAIDs and hormonal contraception; small case series.

InvestigationalCase report

Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (Non-Specific)

Tier C

Investigational use for non-specific chronic pelvic pain syndrome; case-series evidence for symptom reduction within multimodal management.

InvestigationalCase report

Subjective Tinnitus

Tier C

Investigational use for chronic subjective tinnitus; case-series evidence for THI score improvement. Mechanism speculative.

InvestigationalCase report

Deep Vein Thrombosis (Post-Acute Phase Symptoms)

Tier C

Investigational use for residual symptoms in the post-acute phase of DVT (>6 weeks); contraindicated in acute DVT.

InvestigationalCase report

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (Hurley Stage I-II)

Tier C

Investigational adjunctive use for Hurley stage I-II hidradenitis suppurativa in quiescent phase between flares.

InvestigationalCase report

Pulsatile Tinnitus (Vascular-Origin Subtype)

Tier C

Investigational use for pulsatile vascular-origin tinnitus distinct from subjective tinnitus; case-report evidence only.

InvestigationalCase report

Meniere's Disease (Vestibular Attack Frequency)

Tier C

Investigational adjunct for vestibular attack frequency reduction in definite Meniere's disease per AAO-HNS 2015 criteria; case-series evidence.

InvestigationalCase report

Bell's Palsy (Acute Idiopathic Facial Paralysis)

Tier C

Investigational adjunct in acute idiopathic facial nerve palsy; case-series suggest faster House-Brackmann recovery as add-on to corticosteroids.

InvestigationalCase report

Trigeminal Neuralgia (Classical / Idiopathic)

Tier C

Investigational use for classical trigeminal neuralgia refractory to first-line carbamazepine; anecdotal pain-frequency reduction.

InvestigationalCase report

Lumbosacral Radiculopathy (Non-Discogenic)

Tier C

Investigational use for lumbosacral radicular pain without disc herniation (foraminal stenosis, facet hypertrophy, lateral recess); case-series evidence.

InvestigationalCase report

Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder)

Tier C

Investigational adjunct in stage II frozen shoulder; small case series suggest accelerated range-of-motion recovery as add-on to physiotherapy.

InvestigationalCase report

Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy

Tier C

Investigational use for insertional Achilles tendinopathy distinct from mid-substance disease; weaker case-series response.

InvestigationalCase report

De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

Tier C

Investigational use for stenosing tenosynovitis of the first dorsal extensor compartment; small case series.

InvestigationalCase report

Recurrent Trigger Finger (Post-Injection Failure)

Tier C

Investigational use for trigger finger recurrent after corticosteroid injection failure; pre-surgical alternative explored in case series.

InvestigationalCase report

Calcaneal Heel Spur (Symptomatic)

Tier C

Investigational use for symptomatic plantar calcaneal spur; distinguished from plantar fasciitis by radiographic spur with localized pain.

InvestigationalCase report

Subacromial Bursitis (Chronic)

Tier C

Investigational use for chronic subacromial bursitis distinct from acute infectious bursitis; case-series evidence for pain reduction.

InvestigationalCase report

Trochanteric Bursitis (Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome)

Tier C

Investigational use for chronic greater trochanteric pain syndrome including bursitis and gluteal tendinopathy; case-series evidence.

InvestigationalCase report

Costochondritis (Chronic)

Tier C

Investigational use for chronic costochondritis with persistent chest wall pain after cardiac causes excluded; small case series.

InvestigationalCase report

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Tier C

Investigational use for SI joint mechanical pain with positive provocation tests; case-series evidence for pain reduction.

InvestigationalCase report

Coccydynia (Chronic)

Tier C

Investigational use for chronic coccyx pain after fall, childbirth, or idiopathic onset; small case series for refractory cases.

InvestigationalCase report

Piriformis Syndrome (Isolated, FAIR-Positive)

Tier C

Investigational use for isolated piriformis syndrome with positive FAIR test and excluded lumbar pathology; case-series evidence.

InvestigationalCase report

Chronic Migraine Prophylaxis (≥15 Headache Days/Month)

Tier C

Investigational adjunct for chronic migraine (≥15 days/month, ≥8 migrainous) refractory to two preventive classes; distinct from episodic migraine.

InvestigationalCase report

Chronic Tension-Type Headache (≥15 Days/Month)

Tier C

Investigational adjunct for chronic tension-type headache (≥15 days/month) with persistent pericranial muscle tenderness; small case series.

InvestigationalCase report

Cervicogenic Headache

Tier C

Investigational adjunct for cervicogenic headache referred from upper cervical (C1-C3) joints; case-series evidence for pain reduction.

InvestigationalCase report

Atopic Dermatitis (Adult Recalcitrant, EASI >21)

Tier C

Investigational adjunct for adult recalcitrant atopic dermatitis (EASI >21) refractory to dupilumab or JAK inhibitor; very preliminary data.

InvestigationalCase report

Psoriasis (Chronic Plaque, Recalcitrant)

Tier C

Investigational adjunct for chronic plaque psoriasis recalcitrant to biologic therapy; very preliminary case-series evidence.

InvestigationalCase report

Rosacea (Papulopustular Subtype)

Tier C

Investigational adjunct for papulopustular rosacea subtype with persistent inflammatory lesions; small case series.

InvestigationalCase report

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (Hurley Stage I, Localized)

Tier C

Investigational adjunct for Hurley stage I localized hidradenitis suppurativa; distinct from Hurley II-III with extensive disease.

InvestigationalCase report

Refractory Keloid Scars (Post-Injection Failure)

Tier C

Investigational adjunct for keloid scars refractory to intralesional corticosteroid; case series suggest volume reduction as adjunctive therapy.

InvestigationalCase report

Hypertrophic Scars

Tier C

Investigational adjunct for hypertrophic scars (within original wound boundary) distinct from keloid; case-series evidence for volume reduction.

InvestigationalCase report

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This website provides educational information and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Medicinal leech therapy carries clinically meaningful risks and should be performed only by qualified clinicians under institutionally approved protocols. FDA 510(k) clearance for medicinal leeches is limited to specific indications; investigational and off-label discussions are labeled accordingly. For patient-specific guidance, consult a qualified healthcare provider.

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