What is anthroposophic medicine doing?

Anthroposophic medicine puts the human being at the center

06/11/2014

Anthroposophic medicine promises a holistic view of the patient, which overlaps in many areas with the approaches of naturopathy and can represent a good complement to conventional medicine, especially in complex symptoms. Anthroposophic medicine "understands it as an extension of modern, science-based medicine," explains the umbrella organization anthroposophic medicine in Germany (DAMiD).

According to anthroposophic medicine, man is more than his body. And more than the sum of his disease symptoms, "says DAMiD. The individuality of humans is also determined in the event of illness by the complex interplay of physical, mental and spiritual characteristics, which should be taken into account in the treatment accordingly. Many critically ill patients want the attending physicians to take time to reflect on their state of mind. However, due to cost and time constraints, conventional medical practices often do not offer this option, according to the news agency "dpa". Anthroposophic medicine began here and, in addition to the conventional treatment, also addresses the general state of health and the individual life situation of those affected.

Take into account the patient's mental state
In anthroposophic diagnostics and therapy, all methods and procedures of conventional medicine can be used, but extending humanities findings are included, which go back to Rudolf Steiner and Ita Wegman, reports the DAMiD. Professor Alfred Längler of the umbrella organization Anthroposophic Medicine in Germany explained to the "dpa" that anthroposophic medicine not only draws on modern scientific findings, but also on spiritual, holistic approaches to anthroposophy according to Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925). Thus, not only the measurable findings of the diseased human being would be taken into account in the diagnosis and treatment, but the mental state also plays an important role. In the opinion of the users, this is an advantage, especially in complex clinical pictures.

Activate self-healing powers of the organism
The news agency "dpa" reports by way of illustration the example of a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, which can be clearly determined with an endoscopic examination, but in which emotional factors have a great influence. Many people also ask themselves what the disease does to them and how it affects their life plans. "The question is: what do I derive from this for therapy?", Quotes the news agency Professor Längler, who works as a pediatric oncologist and chief physician of the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at the Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke (North Rhine-Westphalia). The hospital is one of nine acute care hospitals in Germany, where the anthroposophic medicine is offered inpatient. The aim of the anthroposophic treatment is to choose a suitable therapy together with the patient, to find a way to deal with the disease and to stimulate the self-healing powers, so that the patients can contribute to overcoming the illness on their own, explains the DAMiD. "The purely mechanical history is one thing, (...) so that a therapeutic doctor-patient relationship succeeds well, it usually applies to look more than the purely physical-physical level," quoted the "dpa" the children's oncologist Professor Längler.

Active participation in the recovery process
First of all, in anthroposophic medicine, not only the physical symptoms but also the personal circumstances of life, the individual biography process or possible crises in the life of the patient are inquired within the scope of a thorough medical history, "reports the DAMiD. It follows a conventional medical diagnosis. "Doctor and patient then decide together in a detailed discussion which medical approach makes sense individually," continues the umbrella organization Anthroposophic Medicine. Here, anthroposophic medicine understands the patient as an active partner, who is to participate in the recovery process in a self-confident manner. They are said to have an active role in overcoming their illness. This would encourage patients to be proactive in their health and new ones, healthyLearn behaviors, "explains the DAMiD. An important factor in strengthening the self-healing powers in anthroposophic medicine are also the artistic therapies with sculptural design, drawing and painting, music making or speech design. Eurythmy Therapy, a special form of rhythmic movement art developed by Rudolf Steiner, is also used here.

Correct negative behavioral patterns
The children's oncologist Professor Längler is quoted by the news agency "dpa" in relation to the effect of artistic therapies with the statement that they "to influence my physical experience physical processes". According to the umbrella organization anthroposophic medicine, the examination of artistic processes in the patient can trigger a process of self-knowledge and thus correct ingrained and pathogenic patterns of behavior. "I experience something psychologically, and that gives me a piece of vitality, which is then available on the organic level," quotes the "dpa" Professor Längler. For example, when children are suffering from cancer, they will experience that they are able to do so, and that they can get rid of the negative feeling of "I can not do anything, I have to be repaired".

Criticism of anthroposophic medicine
The umbrella organization anthroposophic medicine also mentions on its website various physical and therapeutic measures which are intended to stimulate the respiration, circulation, digestion and metabolic processes as important components of anthroposophic medicine. The same applies to the rhythmic massage by Dr. med. Ita Wegman (1876-1943). Although anthroposophic medicine has enjoyed a remarkable track record over the past hundred years and is now practiced in more than 80 countries around the world, according to the DAMiD, it often encounters massive criticism. "In my view, anthroposophic medicine is anything but scientific, on the contrary, it wants to redefine the rules of science for itself," quotes the "dpa", for example Edzard Ernst, emeritus professor of the University of Exeter (Great Britain). Since every anthroposophic physician in Germany must have completed a medical degree with a degree in medicine, in the opinion of the DAMiD, however, conventional medical competence is ensured here and the doctors also have knowledge of anthroposophic medicine.

Cost transfer by the GKV possible?
Despite his criticism of anthroposophic medicine, Professor Ernst also sees advantages in some aspects of this method. For example, "anthroposophic physicians are usually very emphatic and tend to care for their patients," cites the "dpa" the British physician. However, he does not recommend the specific therapies of anthroposophic medicine. The statutory health insurances (GKV) in Germany often see anthroposophic medicine much less critically. Thus, for some anthroposophic treatment methods by some health insurance companies a cost transfer offered, reports the "dpa". According to Ann Marini of the GKV-Spitzenverband, anthroposophic medicine as an example of treatment methods, medicines and remedies for the special therapy directions in the GKV service catalog is not excluded, according to the news agency. However, legally insured persons should inform themselves before the start of treatment if their health insurance company pays the costs. (Fp)