Service at Lans Medicum Osteopathy at Lans Medicum Hamburg

Osteopathy is a holistic, manual diagnostic and treatment approach that focuses on treating the origin of your discomfort. It is described as a “healing method in which the osteopathic practitioner examines and treats his patients with his hands” by the Osteopathic Association of Germany (Verband der Osteopathen Deutschland e.V., VOD).

The method was developed in the 19th century by the American doctor Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917), who tried to find the cause for various physical dysfunctions by looking at the skeletal system. It was only after he coined the term “osteopathy” that he realised that next to the bones, the connecting tissues between organs, muscles, tendons, ligaments and the fascia, also play a big role in mobility dysfunctions. He came to the conclusion that the location where pain is perceived does not have to be the origin of it.

An osteopath can identify mobility dysfunctions and treat the located areas accordingly. The treatment is based on the assumption that the body is able regulate and heal itself, given all structures are mobile and supplied with enough essential nutrients.

What are the application areas?

According to the VOD, osteopathy can be applied to all areas where dysfunctions are the cause for discomfort. John Martin Littlejohn, Anglo-American physician and student of Andrew Taylor Still said: “Don’t ask whether the case is suitable for osteopathy, ask what osteopathy can do for the case!”

At the beginning of your osteopathic treatment, we will take the time to thoroughly assess your medical history. Based on all the information they have, our osteopathic practitioners will then detect and treat the dysfunctions within the tissue that are causing pain by using gentle but powerful grips. If you have headaches, you might suffer from pelvic obliquity and if you experience back pain, digestive issues might be the cause. Dysfunctions in the body can be rectified so that other bodily structures don’t have to compensate anymore. The results are pain reduction and elimination.

Status quo

Today, the salutogenetic concept, which not only heals ailments but also promotes health, is widely recognised and on the rise in the field of complementary medicine.

In Germany, many statutory health insurance providers take on partial costs of osteopathy treatments. An informal note by a general practitioner is required, while the osteopathic practitioner needs to be a licensed professional. Most private health insurance providers usually cover the costs for osteopathic treatments