Your stomach is cramping, your head is pounding and your joints are aching like crazy - there are plenty of medications for this. 91 million packs of over-the-counter painkillers are sold in German pharmacies every year, risks and side effects included. Fortunately, however, it is often possible without ...

Acupuncture: needles release energy blockages

Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and works with fine, sterile needles. These are placed on specific points of the body's energy pathways. They release the blockages, which are considered to be the cause of the complaints, and allow the energy to flow freely again. Studies have proven the effect on pain in the lower back and knees. But acupuncture also helps with head and neck pain, allergies and asthma (approx. 35 to 50 euros/session).

Osteopathy: gentle hand movements instead of pills

Many complaints arise because body structures are out of balance. Such imbalances affect the bones, muscles, tendons and tissue. But in the long term, they also affect the psyche. The osteopath uses very specific hand movements to feel affected areas and restore balance. This has proven effective for back, head and joint pain, dizziness, tinnitus, digestive problems and even psychological problems. Many health insurance companies pay subsidies (treatment costs approx. 60 to 150 euros. You can find a list of therapists at www.osteopathie.de).

Kinesio tapes: plasters stimulate self-healing

Kinesiologists can recognize what stresses the body and soul by the muscle tension. Specially trained doctors, alternative practitioners and physiotherapists manually detect weak points and treat them with elastic adhesive tapes, the kinesio tapes. The tapes harmonize muscle functions, release blockages and stimulate blood circulation and metabolism. This allows the body to heal itself. Good for sports injuries, movement pain and also for stress and anxiety (treatment with 2 to 3 tapes, from approx. 100 euros).

Hypnosis: Healthy through deep relaxation

Medical hypnotherapy has nothing to do with involuntary trance. When the doctor or psychotherapist puts the patient into deep relaxation, the conscious mind is awake and unfavorable thought patterns and feelings can be corrected in the subconscious. This can be achieved with targeted suggestions. Example: For irritable bowel synd rome, imagining a gently rippling river helps to calm the gastrointestinal tract (costs approx. 80 to 150 euros/hour, therapists: www.dgh-hypnose.de)

Fascia training: roll away the pain

Fasciae are tissue-like sheaths that encase muscles, tendons, ligaments and organs. It has only recently been discovered that fascia can stick together due to lack of movement or poor posture and block movement. Targeted training with fascia rolls loosens adhesions and relieves muscle pain as well as osteoarthritis complaints (exercises are available on YouTube, for example).

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