Without naturopaths no naturopathy

Medical anthropologist dr. Noseck-Licul criticizes demand of the current health policy for proof of effectiveness and study documents for traditional medicine

06/25/2012

"Without the naturopaths naturopathy is unthinkable without them it is lost!" Was the plea of ​​Heinz Kropmanns, President of the Association of German Holistic Practitioners e.V. (VDH) and organizer of the German Healing Practitioner Congress. In the opening lecture, the medical anthropologist Dr. Michaela Noseck-Licul the thesis: "Traditional, naturopathic knowledge is valuable and proven, is therefore effective!" Experience count in today's conventional medicine less because of their purely scientific approach, which is propagated under the name "evidence-based medicine". However, the experience in traditional medicine make it capable of action, let risks estimate and empower therapists for treatment. The studies funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Health by the scientist and director of the Vienna Documentation Center for Traditional and Complementary Healing Methods prove: "Traditional medicine is characterized by long-standing and constantly updated experience. Experience knowledge is practical knowledge. In the case of pure factual knowledge, on the other hand, the senses are switched off. "This is a disadvantage of the current health policy with its omnipresent demand for proofs of effectiveness and study documents.

The focus of the two-day specialist event was a thematically broad lecture program. More than 30 speakers from all over Germany present diagnostic and therapeutic methods and provide information on new or proven alternative medical healing methods or procedures. The range of topics ranged from pain therapy, homeopathy, men's diseases to coping with stress and burnout. The general prevention as a domain of naturopathy is also on the program. The accompanying industry exhibition with around 250 exhibitors of biopharmaceutical and medical-technical companies and providers of naturopathic products, services and devices formed the platform for a lively exchange of views between manufacturers and users.

Around 32,000 non-medical practitioners, including 23,000 non-medical practitioners, are admitted according to the current status (2010) of the Federal Statistical Office in Germany. That is more than a double of 2001 (14,000 / 9,000). The profession of alternative practitioner remains a women's domain. Every day, an estimated 60,000 patients nationwide seek out a naturopathic practice; That is about 15 million treatments per year, which relieve the cost bearer billions of dollars each year, because medical treatment usually has to be paid by the patient privately.

Around 1,800 non-medical practitioners and non-medical practitioner candidates from all over southern Germany accepted the invitation of the umbrella association of German non-medical practitioner associations (DDH) and filled the Karlsruhe Exhibition and Congress Center (KMK). "Naturopathy - more up-to-date than ever" was the current motto of the specialist event, which took place for the 22nd time in a row in the Baden metropolis. (Pm)