What does anthroposophic medicine mean?
Anthroposophic medicine works diagnostically and therapeutically as a complement to science-based medicine. From spiritual-scientific perspectives, it broadens the medical view of illness, symptoms and the individual life story of the human being.
An illness or symptom is not seen solely as an isolated problem that must be removed, but also as a signal of a disturbed relationship between bodily and soul forces.
In this way, symptoms and illness can become a question within a person's path of development. A bone fracture, for example, is above all a physical symptom that needs good surgical treatment. An allergy can also raise questions about boundaries, strain and resilience.
This way of working requires an anthroposophic physician to be trained both scientifically and spiritually, and to have practical schooling.
How does an anthroposophic physician work?
The basic diagnostic process consists of a medical history conversation about the symptoms, the constitutional picture and the biographical path from a medical point of view. A physical examination also takes place. This basic diagnostic consultation takes approximately one hour.
Therapy may include prescribing anthroposophic medicines. These remedies come from the plant kingdom, the animal kingdom and the mineral world, and are prepared and potentised homeopathically. They are intended to support the body in self-regulating a disturbed process.
Referral to specially trained therapists is also possible, for example for:
- rhythmic massage or anthroposophic physiotherapy;
- eurythmy therapy, therapeutic eurythmy or movement therapy on an anthroposophic basis;
- artistic therapy;
- psychotherapy.
The therapy proposed depends on the question a person brings through their illness process. This is discussed and determined together with the patient.
Medical background
I completed my medical studies and doctorate in Aachen, Germany, in 1982. I then completed specialist qualifications in anaesthesia, intensive care and emergency medicine. In 1990 I stopped working in these fields.
After that I began training in homeopathic medicine, anthroposophic education and anthroposophic medicine. Among other things, I successfully completed a course at the Anthroposophisches Ärzteseminar of the Filderklinik in Stuttgart-Filderstadt.
Since 1997 I have worked in my own practice, first in combination with a medical practice in Aachen and later solely in Maastricht. I also take on school physician duties for the Waldorf schools in Limburg (Heerlen, Venlo, Sittard, Roermond) and for the Freie Waldorfschule Aachen.
Consultative physician
As a consultative physician, I work in addition to regular healthcare, for example the care provided by the general practitioner. With the patient's consent, I provide information to the GP and consult with the GP or specialist when necessary.
I treat people of all age groups with acute and chronic complaints. A particular focus is the treatment and guidance of children and their parents, for example in questions about development and vaccinations.
I am registered with the NVAA in the Netherlands as a certified, practising anthroposophic physician. BIG and AGB codes are available on request and are stated on invoices.
Practice arrangements, fees and invoicing
Consultation hours
Consultations are by appointment on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. I am not present in the practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
Consultations can be held in Dutch, German or English.
Outside these hours you can use the answering machine. I will call you back as soon as possible. In urgent cases, please contact the GP emergency post of the MUMC, telephone 043 387 77 77. In emergencies call 112.
Appointments and prescriptions
You can request an appointment via afspraak@antroarts.info. You can request a prescription via recept@antroarts.info.
If you cannot attend an appointment, please cancel it by telephone or email at least 24 hours in advance. Appointments that are not cancelled in time will be charged.
Fees and invoicing
Fees are available on request. Invoices and prescribed medicines are usually reimbursed by health insurers, or as a consultation within complementary care under an additional insurance policy.
If you do not pay the invoice immediately, the condition is that it is submitted directly to your insurer and that the amount is credited to the indicated account within two weeks. For questions about an invoice, please contact me via the answering machine or by email so that I can call you back at a suitable time.
Dissatisfaction, disclaimer and privacy
It may happen that you as a patient are dissatisfied or, despite all good intentions, have a complaint about treatment or other matters. The standard procedure can be found in the complaints procedure (currently available in Dutch only).
How disclaimer and privacy are arranged in my practice is described in the document disclaimer and privacy (currently available in Dutch only).