10 Traditional Medical Treatments Still in Use Today

In a world bursting with advanced medical technology, you might think the practices of yesteryear have vanished completely. However, the landscape of medicine is sometimes slower to change than we’d like to believe. While most of our medical treatments are based on rigorous research and modern science, a handful of astonishingly bizarre treatments still linger. Here are ten medical treatments that might make you scratch your head in disbelief!

1. Bloodletting

Once a standard practice to treat various ailments—from fever to headaches—bloodletting involved draining a patient’s blood with the belief that it could restore balance to the body. Surprisingly, this practice is still used in some rare cases to treat conditions like hemochromatosis and polycythemia vera. While modern methods are vastly improved, the concept of removing excess blood hasn’t completely disappeared.

2. Shock Therapy (ECT)

While electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has gained more respect in recent years for its effectiveness in severe depression and treatment-resistant conditions, the process of inducing seizures in patients through electric shocks might still seem shocking. Although refined to minimize side effects and improve efficacy, it’s hard to believe that this method, considered barbaric at one time, is still on the table for certain mental health conditions.

3. Leech Therapy

Hirudotherapy, or the use of medicinal leeches, is a treatment for restoring blood circulation. Although it may sound like something from the Dark Ages, leeches are still employed in surgeries to reduce blood clots and assist with tissue reattachment. Their saliva contains anticoagulants that promote blood flow, and modern medicine recognizes their unique benefits.

4. Cupping Therapy

Popularized by athletes and celebrities, cupping therapy involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. It’s believed to boost circulation and alleviate pain. While some claim it’s a relic of ancient Chinese medicine, it still finds a place in modern alternative therapies, much to the surprise of many skeptical individuals.

5. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT)

The concept of using fecal matter to treat a medical condition may repulse some, but FMT is a legitimate treatment for recurrent Clostridium difficile infections. By transferring healthy bacteria from a donor’s stool into a recipient’s intestines, this practice aims to restore bacterial balance, challenging the expectations of what treatment should look like.

6. Chelation Therapy

Originally developed to treat heavy metal poisoning, chelation therapy involves the administration of agents to remove toxic metals from the body. Despite the absence of robust evidence supporting its use for a variety of ailments (like heart disease), some practitioners still offer it to patients seeking alternative therapies, showcasing the blurred lines between conventional medicine and alternative treatments.

7. Trepanation

The ancient practice of drilling holes into the skull to treat “evil spirits” or relieve pressure is thought to be long gone. However, some natural medicine proponents still advocate trepanation to improve mental clarity or as a “spiritual awakening.” While mainstream medicine does not support this practice, it’s a testament to humanity’s enduring fascination with cranial exploration.

8. Ozone Therapy

Using ozone gas to treat various conditions, including infections and chronic pain, ozone therapy remains a controversial alternative method. Despite numerous healthcare communities warning against its use due to potential risks, some practitioners and patients continue to believe in its therapeutic benefits, ignoring scientific skepticism.

9. Snake Venom Therapy

Some clinicians have turned to the venom of snakes for its perceived medicinal properties. These unconventional treatments involve either the venom itself or synthesized compounds derived from it to treat pain, inflammation, and even cancer. While the science remains in its infancy, the idea that snake venom could hold medical promise is both intriguing and bewildering.

10. Healing Crystals

Though not a “medical” treatment in the traditional sense, the use of crystals for healing has persisted through the ages. Advocates believe that specific crystals can channel healing energy or promote mental clarity. While mainstream medicine may dismiss this notion as unscientific, practices involving crystals can still be found in wellness rituals today.