On the basis of a case history, the question is considered as to how the pathophysiological dynamics of an organically defined syndrome (herniated nucleus pulposus) may be seen against the background of a stress situation from a holistic point of view (anthroposophical medicine) and treated accordingly. The basics of the interpenetrating levels of the human organization (“four bodies”) are given and also applied to the patient in question (physical diagnosis, evolution, psycho-social context and bio-graphy with reference to the vertebral column, power of uprightness and self-awareness). In addition to medical treatment and physiotherapy, therapeutic speech was used to good effect. In the second part of the paper, the significance of such an approach to medicine for the individual doctor-patient relationship is considered against the background trend towards evidence-based medicine.

Keywords: Herniated nucleus pulposus, Anthroposophical medicine, The four bodies, Art therapy, Evidence-based medicine, Medical conscience

By: Hendrik Vögler
Original title: Ganzer Mensch - krummer Rücken. Die anthroposophische Medizin in der allgemeinmedizinischen Praxis. Der Merkurstab 2003;56(5):252-259.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14271/DMS-18352-DE
This article is published with the kind permission of the journal Der Merkurstab.

DM English issue 2004

Citation: Völger, H. (2004). Whole person—Twisted back: Anthroposophical Medicine in general practice. Der Merkurstab, 2004 (English issue), 3–9.