Strange Healing Treatments From Around the World

For the most part, we have become a society that depends on doctors, medicines and advanced technology in our quest for healing from the various ailments that plague our world today. This wasn’t always the case. There was a time when several techniques, though strange, were used to heal the sick. While some treatments were effective and brought patients much relief, others were not. Some of them caused more harm than good. Here are some strange healing treatments that were once practiced.\r \r 1. Fire Cupping\r \r Fire cupping, also known as cupping therapy, is an alternative form of medicine. This is practiced to a great extent in Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. Archeologists discovered evidence that this method was practiced from as far back as 1,000 B.C. If you saw the 2016 Rio Olympic Game, you may remember Michael Phelps sporting red circular marks on his back, shoulders and arms. Well, that was from fire cupping. This alternative, non-invasive treatment technique involves the use of special glass or silicone cups with a flammable substance that is lit and placed on the skin. The blood vessels dilate as a result of this process, promoting blood flow and improving circulation to the affected area.\r \r 2. Hirudotherapy\r \r Most people cringe at the mention of creepy crawlies like leeches. The thought of having these on one’s skin is even worse. Well, hirudotherapy is a healing technique using European medical leeches. This therapy is not new as it was used in ancient times to treat different illnesses; however, at that time, leeches found in the wild were used. Now only medical leeches are utilized. This became quite popular in the 1990s to treat abscesses, arthritis, glaucoma, thrombosis and some venous disorders. \r \r 3. Maggot Debridement Therapy\r \r Maggot therapy also known as larval therapy is a type of biotherapy where live disinfected maggots are placed in a person's soft tissue wounds or skin that isn’t healing as it should. The fly larvae are kept in the wound for three days, during which time they clean the wound by eating dead and infected tissue. They also kill any bacteria in the open wound, thus disinfecting the tissue. This helps speed up the rate of healing. Maggot therapy is an ancient practice but it has been researched and improved in the medical field today.\r \r 4. Moxibustion\r \r Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy derived from Chinese medicine. It involves the burning of dried mugwort, a small, spongy herb, on or near the surface of the skin. The goal is to warm and energize the body's Qi, drive away some pathogenic influences and maintain general health. This practice is used to relieve pain due to injury or arthritis, especially pain that feels better when heat is applied. Gynecological and obstetrical conditions, digestive problems, colds and feverish diseases are all treated using moxibustion.\r \r 5. Hay Bath\r \r The hay bath is a centuries-old custom that was invented by farmers in Tyrol, Italy. The hay bath can revitalize the muscles and relieve a variety of aches and pains throughout the body. It also removes all harmful toxins. The body's metabolic functions are also boosted by the hay bath, which is also said to boost the immune system. When this was first used, warm hay was poured into a hole where the individual stood until it covered him completely. Then the body would start to perspire. This process has improved over time. Today, the body is covered in hay and wrapped with foil and essential oils.\r \r  \r \r