ANALGESIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF LEECH THERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ARTHRITIS

Abstract

The day-to-day advancement in each and every aspect has made human’s life very fast, hectic and full of stress. In such an outfit every person is compelled to make the life fast and mechanical even shifted their food habits to fast food, altered their social structure and life style, having various negative impacts on the body. Occurrence of arthritis on large scale is one of the outcomes of this modification. It is commonest among acute as well as chronic inflammatory joint disease in which joint become painful, swollen and stiff. This study was designed to access the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Leech Therapy in the treatment Arthritis. The study was randomized open phase clinical trial. Jalauka used for the therapy were obtained from fresh water pond of Madhyam Akara (4-6gms weight). Jalaukas were applied once in every week for six weeks duration. The patients of age group 18 to 60 were selected on the basis of Ayurvedic signs and symptoms of Sandhigata Vata. Observations were recorded for Pain, Swelling, Stiffness, Score of ACR, RA index, ARA joint count, Tenderness. The laboratory values of ESR, CRP and S.uric Acid were also recorded before and after the treatment. Since the assessment criteria was Quantitative, paired 't' test was applied. In the current Study the treatment was found significantly effective in treating arthritis. The effect of treatment was 44% patients were of Uttam Upashya in relieving Pain, 40% in swelling, 28% in stiffness, 32% in restricted movement, 16% in deformity. So, we can conclude that leech therapy is effective in the treatment of arthritis.