What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a manual technique for detecting and treating disorders in the joints, muscles and inner organs.
The human body is treated as a whole (instead of just focusing on individual symptoms) and the self-regulation of the body is stimulated.
Furthermore, the aim is to detect causes and effects. For example, a headache may be due to a blockade in the foot, or pains in the shoulder be caused by a disorder in the blood circulation or the lymphatic flow.
In order to find out where your discomfort truly originates I carry out a detailed anamnesis and palpate the parts of your body which show signs of excessive or lacking mobility.
In the course of the treatment the causal relationships become increasingly clear.
Don't hesitate to contact me for a first appointment.
Up
The History of Osteopathy
Osteopathy was founded approximately 120 years ago by the American physician Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917).
As doctor and cleric he developed this new method as a mixture of "healing" (via the laying-on of hands) and "adjustment" (classic chiropractics).
His personal fate also played a role in his professional endeavors: He lost three children and his wife due to severe diseases and frequently went back to studying the anatomy and physiology of the human body.
Since then osteopathy has been continuously developed and supplemented with important new fields of study and practice.
At the beginning of the 19th century the method reached England, in the 1950s France and finally all of Europe, as well as Australia and New Zealand, representing nowadays an established and widely recognized form of medical practice.
Up
Special Forms of Osteopathy
Parietal Osteopathy:
Treats the system of muscles, joints and the connective tissue, having a direct impact on the causes of particular disorders, for example via the targeted "manipulation" of vertebra. This can have a positive impact on the inner organs (for example, the blood flow in the stomach).
Visceral Osteopathy:
This technique directly treats the inner organs. For example, the pancreas can be stimulated by facilitating its free movement, thereby enhancing the blood circulation. Similarly, limited flexibility in scar tissue can be improved, as well as constraints due to malposition or after accidents.
Craniosacral Osteopathy:
Between the cranium (skull) and the sacrum (sacral bone) lies the vitally important system of the brain and the medulla.
Via the rhythm of the brain fluid (liquor) ailments can be diagnosed and treated.
Qualifications
In Germany anybody may refer to him or herself as "osteopath", as this title is not legally protected.
However, a therapist which uses osteopathic techniques should have successfully completed a full-time training of five years, or a part-time degree on the basis of adequate previous knowledge (already being a doctor, a naturopathic practitioner or a physiotherapist, for example).
Apart from anatomy and biomechanics this includes also knowledge in neuroanatomy, differential diagnosis and other medical contents.
Moreover, therapists may choose to undergo a voluntary evaluation by the Association of German Osteopaths (Verband der Osteopathen Deutschland e.V.). Don't hesitate to ask your therapist for his qualifications.
You can find my qualifications under the menu item About me.
Up
What is Classic Massage?
This well-known and widely common method loosens the muscles via mechanic action, stimulates the blood circulation and aids the removal of waste products.
Classic massage helps in case of tensions, malposition (e.g., after accidents) and has a relaxing effect.
In the course of my experience I have developed my own massage technique within the framework of classic massage.
Feel free to make an appointment and just try it out!
Up
What is Back Training School?
I offer a special form of back training which is still relatively little known.
It is derived from Brügger therapy (http://www.bruegger-therapie.de).
In single sessions or in groups with a maximum of 12 participants you learn how to ease and relax your back muscles with the help of simple devices (e.g. broom stick, tennis ball, hot-water bag).
Furthermore, you learn how to systemically stretch shortened muscles and, on the basis of that, how to practice new and more adequate forms of body movement and position. For this purpose, the respective muscles are trained and you learn how to incorporate these exercises in your daily life.
For the group courses most health insurances grant a subsidy (of up to 80%) for which you can apply. The dates for the next sessions can be found here.
Up
What is "Therapeutic Walking"?
This therapeutic concept is also derived from Brügger therapy (http://www.bruegger-therapie.de) and is rather unknown so far. Therapeutic Walking helps you to enhance your endurance, stimulates fat burning and specifically aids the loosening of muscle and joint blockades.
In Therapeutic Walking the body is put into an upright position. Then you advance with long, relaxed steps, letting your arms swing naturally. In addition, you get individual guidance on how to relax your muscles from the feet up to your cervical spine.
Up