Pain therapy
From 13 to 17 February a Medical Conference on anthroposophic pain therapies organized by the Medical Section took place at Wellington University (NZ).
Chronic pain syndrome is a widespread disorder. In its chronic form it is often associated with important biographical incidences such as painful experiences and physical illness. It therefore requires the kind of comprehensive therapy concept that has been developed in Anthroposophic Medicine. There is evidence of the pain-reducing effect of this therapy concept in diverse illnesses, in particular for the drugs it uses, mistletoe therapy, eurythmy therapy, music therapy, external applications and body therapy. Pain therapy is represented in several of the Medical Section’s Care Areas: in oncology, palliative care and Care 3 (depression, trauma, sleep disorders and pain).
While the global ipmts in Anthroposophic Medicine provide training for the diverse professional groups, the Medical Conferences serve the multiprofessional deepening of challenging medical questions within the Care Areas.
Initiatives in Anthroposophic Medicine and healthcare provision
More than 80 people from New Zealand and Australia came together in Wellington in late autumn to work in lectures and study groups on the essence of pain and its therapy. The central event in the mornings was the work on one of Rudolf Steiner’s lectures on the physical, emotional and spiritual dimension of pain. This was followed by the discussion of pain syndromes from a rheumatological, neurological and oncological point of view as well as in connection with the inner development of the therapist, the therapeutic significance of patient meditations and the anatomical changes that occur in the nervous system as a result of spiritual and mental activity (neuroplasticity).
As a result of this conference a number of initiatives have arisen that may lead to new developments in Anthroposophic Medicine and healthcare provision.