Anthroposophic medicine
Anthroposophical medicine is a complementary medical direction connecting the scientific and academic medicine with the anthroposophy of Rudolf Steiner and is now practiced in approximately 80 countries.
Their theoretical and methodological foundations developed Steiner 1920-1924 in numerous lectures for doctors and medical students (Volumes 312-319 of total output ) and in the 1925 's doctor Ita Wegman ( 1876-1943 ) published book Understanding an extension of the healing art Science of the Spirit (where " humanities " refers to Steiners anthroposophical spiritual science refers, not to the humanities in the conventional sense ). The anthroposophic Advanced Medicine is based on the study of the physical, vital, mental and spiritual phenomena both on the principles of natural science as well as on the anthroposophical spiritual science as it has been founded by Rudolf Steiner. In this way results in an extension of the medical art, which in its relation to the substances and forces in nature and in the cosmos, the ratio of body, soul and spirit of man - would diagnostically understand and manage therapeutic - each in his individual fate situation. In Switzerland, carrier of a specialist title can attain awarded by the Swiss Medical Association FMH Fähigkeitsausweis " doctor / health care professional for anthroposophic medicine advanced " for a least two years of additional training.
- 5.1 Works of Rudolf Steiner 5.1.1 lecture transcripts
Anthroposophic medical teaching
Anthroposophy is different - like the Nicolai Hartmann's ontology - four levels or layers of reality. In contrast to Hartmann layers doctrine and similar philosophical systems, however, three of the four postulated by anthroposophy levels in their real essence should be recognizable only by a " psychic " perception. The latter can be obtained through a special training (meditation) or be present by a special talent in individual cases. However, may be assessed on the work of each level in the sensuous indirectly from any the corresponding layer. On all four levels of the human being has at least unconsciously share through its four nature elements that belong to each of these levels. Specifically, these are:
- The physical body, which can be obeys the laws of physics and researched by conventional science.
- The etheric body, which - as with all living things - follows as a special on the physical principle of organization going beyond laws that are the living ( " ethereal " ) own. The supersensible knowledge of this etheric is called " Imagination".
- The astral body, which is only present in sentient or animate organisms, ie in animals but not in plants. The appropriate level of knowledge is called " Inspiration".
- The ego, the spiritual individuality, which raises man above the animal kingdom. A I, every person, it is recognized as such but only through the highest level of supersensible knowledge, the "intuition" (not to be confused with the conventional meaning of that word).
Disease is the purpose of this doctrine is that the healthy interaction of these elements is being disturbed in any way. In a more precise definition of this disorder in this particular case is essentially the anthroposophic anthroposophic diagnosis, which is viewed as an extension of or addition to the conventional diagnosis.
Specific anthroposophic medicinal products are based on the postulate that mineral, vegetable and animal substances can influence the interaction of human beings limbs in each specific manner. In many cases, these substances are administered in homeopathic form. A particularly important in this mistletoe therapy obtained in cancer. There are also non-drug therapies such as the Salvation eurythmy, rhythmical massage and anthroposophic art therapy.
Problems and criticism
Anthroposophic Medicine Anthroposophy as mostly viewed as unscientific. Anthroposophy raises for themselves but claim to be a science in the "extended sense ". The fact that this claim will be redeemed, is often disputed.
If everyone ( anthroposophical ) doctor had skills of imagination, inspiration and intuition itself as a precondition to joining Steiner, Steiner's work would no longer singular stand out and would be much more incorporated into the general medical theory and practice. However, this is not so. However, when practically implement anthroposophic physicians only " messages " from the " spiritual research " Rudolf Steiner, they needed a generally binding teaching building with concrete instructions. Such does not exist. Instead, the " individual" diagnostic propagated. But you should then also ask the following: Is this learning and teachable and thus intersubjectively comprehensible? Otherwise there would be the following properties: It would be especially the individuality of the physician, according to which "individual " diagnosis and subsequent therapy directed and not primarily the individuality of the patient.
It would be important then at least the question: How can then recognize the individual doctor to see if he really is useful to the individual patient or not? For this purpose, it would also be important for a scientific claim to reflect the individual medical experience stronger and discipline. This approach is called Helmut Kiene " Cognition -based medicine ", and wants to ensure that the Evidence-Based Medicine supplement, mainly randomized study looks at one side as the gold standard of clinical medical research. Edzard Ernst is one of the most prominent representatives of evidenbasierten medicine in the field of research on complementary medical procedures, whose criticism is therefore often heard.
Since anthroposophic medical drugs frequently, that is highly diluted homeopathic doses applied, it also relates to some of the criticism that is leveled against homeopathy. But homeopaths criticize turn anthroposophic doctors often that they "their" funds without adequate knowledge of the homeopathic materia medica plus administer in " confusing " complex preparations.
There are after all areas in which reproducible positive healing results of anthroposophic medicine could be systematically monitored and evaluated scientifically.
Legal Status
Germany
Anthroposophical medicine is in Germany a "special treatment direction " within the meaning of the Social Security Code and the Medicines Act. Other "special treatment directions " in this legal sense, homeopathy and phytotherapy ( herbal medicine ). Unlike other medicinal preparations should be of special therapy approved, also without evidence of efficacy for them according to empirical- scientific criteria were provided, where a so-called internal recognition to be present by experts of the respective treatment direction.
The Medicines Act defines an anthroposophic medicines as "a drug which has been developed according to the anthroposophical understanding of man and nature, according to a European Pharmacopoeia or, in absence thereof, by a method described in the pharmacopoeias currently used officially in the Member States of the European Union homeopathic manufacturing procedure or after has been made a special anthroposophic preparation method and is intended to be used in accordance with the principles of anthroposophical understanding of man and nature. " against the background that regulation of this branch of therapy in European law are sought.
However, mistletoe preparations should not be prescribed for the curative, adjutant cancer therapy at the expense of the statutory health insurance. The eligibility for the palliative treatment of malignant tumors to improve the quality of life remains.
For doctors, there are not such as in homeopathy an additional designation of the German Medical Association, but an internal appreciation activity focus " Anthroposophical Medicine ( GAÄD ) " by the Society of Anthroposophical Doctors in Germany ( GAÄD ).
Switzerland
On 17 May 2009, a majority of the Swiss electorate voted, that the consideration of complementary medicine is enshrined in the Federal Constitution. The constitution now contains the phrase " Confederation and the cantons shall within the scope of its responsibilities for the consideration of complementary medicine. " To implement this Amendment, anthroposophical medicine as of 2012 paid in addition to four other alternative medical treatment under certain conditions of the compulsory health insurance. This rule applies provisionally by the end of 2017. During this time, effectiveness, appropriateness and cost-effectiveness of five complementary medical methods are considered to be partly controversial and will be evaluated in terms of these criteria.
Important clinical facilities
In Germany there are six anthroposophical hospitals:
- Community Hospital Herdecke in Herdecke, since 1969
- The Filderklinik in Filderstadt, since 1975
- Community Havelhöhe in Berlin, since 1995
- The Paracelsus Hospital in Bad Love Zell / Unterlengenhardt, since 1970
- The clinic Oeschelbronn in Niefern- Oeschelbronn, since 1970
- The clinic Lahnhöhe in Lahnstein
In addition, in Germany there are various anthroposophical hospital subdivisions, specialized hospitals and sanatoriums.
In Switzerland there are three anthroposophic hospitals:
- The Ita Wegman Clinic in Arlesheim, since 1921
- The Lukas Clinic for Tumor Diseases in Arlesheim, since 1963
- The Paracelsus Hospital in Richterswil, since 1994