Complementary Medicine Practices in Chronic Low Back Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial

The leeches used in the treatment were obtained from people producing in culture media. Leech therapy was applied to the patients once a week. Before coming to treatment, patients were warned not to use perfume or apply any chemicals on the skin. While no skin preparation was made before the treatment, in patients with cold legs, the area where the leech would be applied was heated to ensure easy adhesion of the leech. The leeches left on their own after approximately 40 to 38 minutes, but the leeches that did not release on their own until 60 minutes were removed by scraping them from the skin with the help of a gauze. The leeches used in the treatment were used only once and the used ones were disposed of by throwing them into medical waste bags. After the leeches were removed from the patient, the wound was covered with a printed bandage. Patients were instructed to remove the bandage after 10-12 hours.

Conventional physiotherapy applications were performed. Physiotherapy applications were performed with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, hotpack and ultrasound.

"In this taping technique, skin color, 5cmX5m kinesio tape material was used. Again, the patient standing upright will be prepared in terms of clothing and skin. The standing patient will then be asked to lean forward. Taping will be done using a special muscle technique for this group. When applying tape to the right paravertebral region, first the lower end of the tape will be adhered 7 cm below the sacroiliac joint, at the level of the paravertebral muscles. When applying tape to the left paravertebral region, the same procedure will be done in reverse as on the right, and the tape will not be stretched at all. The third tape will be applied to the patient who is standing upright and bending slightly forward, passing over the sacroiliac joints and parallel to the ground, with the tape stretched by 25%."