Finding health is the task of the doctor.
Everyone can find sickness.
(Dr. Andrew Taylor Still)
Welcome to the osteopathy and trauma-therapie practice of Ambika Simone Niedermeier
Osteopathy was developed based the principle that the body has an innate capacity to repair itself under the right conditions. It is a type of ‘hands-on’ or manual medicine that seeks to restore the body to a state where this healing mechanism is able to work. This is achieved by removing restrictions to movement, improving circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid and by addressing any lifestyle factors and/or postural problems that may prevent recovery.
Osteopathy is based on the original discoveries and experiences of its American founder Dr. Andrew Taylor Still (1828 – 1917). Dr. Taylor Still was the first physician to recognise fully that the relationship between the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the body is interdependent and that this reciprocal relationship is vital to physical and mental well-being of the human body. Since those early beginnings, osteopathy has evolved into a modern regulated mainstream healthcare field with an evolving research community adding to its evidence base. In 2017, Osteopathy was formally recognised by the National Health Service (NHS England) as an Allied Health Profession.
Osteopaths assess their patients as unique individuals, reviewing all aspects of their symptoms (body, emotions, energetics, spirit). A detailed case history is taken during the first consultation, followed by a thorough physical and clinical examination to identify the patient’s problems. These include any diseases that might be responsible for their symptoms. The osteopath will explore factors such as the patient’s mobility, posture and general state of well-being and may also consider lifestyle factors, levels of activity, dietary preferences and levels of stress.
Working with their hands, osteopaths apply a range of techniques to help reduce pain, increase mobility, relieve muscle tension and enhance circulation. This potentially helps the patient’s own healing mechanism to work more efficiently and promotes recovery. Osteopaths help providing relief from structural, mechanical and functional problems in people of all ages and achieve this by restoring the body’s equilibrium and balance. This may be achieved through the use of osteopathic treatment or through exercise and lifestyle recommendations.
Osteopaths can help patients with a variety of conditions such as:
Exhaustion
Sciatica
Minor sports injuries
Tension
Arthritic pain
Neuralgia
Back, neck and head pain
Frozen shoulder
Functional difficulties of menstruation and digestion
Whiplash injury
Vertigo, tinnitus
Temporal-mandibular joint disorders
Even in serious conditions like cancer, aids and MS osteopathy may be used as accompanying therapy.
But providing list of conditions that osteopaths help to treat can sometimes deliver a misleading message. Osteopaths treat people not conditions and osteopaths are able to help in many ways when a person’s function is affected by his or her structure, no matter how it manifests.
Osteopaths can also help treat patients throughout their pregnancies to help relieve the symptoms induced by altered posture and weight bearing and many also help treat babies. Babies’ skeletons are softer than an adult’s and osteopaths will, therefore, use gentler techniques such as cranial osteopathy when treating babies.
The osteopath will spend time at the initial visit taking a detailed case history. This will involve asking questions about the patient’s current symptoms, and also about their general medical history. The patient will usually be asked to undress to their underwear in order for the osteopath to carry out a thorough examination. This will allow a diagnosis and treatment plan to be devised tailored to their needs. Treatment can include a range of stretching, mobilizing techniques designed to help restore normal function and to facilitate the body’s own healing process. The osteopath will explain what will be involved in any treatment.
Osteopathic treatment is not painful although the nature of some conditions are such that some discomfort may be induced. All my techniques are extremely gentle. In devising a treatment plan, the osteopath will take into account the nature of the symptoms and also the patient’s concerns. The osteopath will not perform a technique unless the patient wants him/her to proceed. Some patients are anxious about the “cracking” of joints which won´t be applied in my practice.
When needed, I am also able to offer to combinations with other alternative therapies like:
Japanese acupuncture
Shamanic counselling
Yoga therapy
Herbal therapy
Pre- and perinatale trauma therapy
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call me: 0176/66675447 or 0228/24008058.
Costs and refund
As alternative practitioner and freelancer I have to charge my services according to the German schedule of fees for non-medical practioners „Gebührenverzeichnis für Heilpraktiker“. Depending on the treatment, the charge can range from 50 to 100 Euro.
If you have a private (additional) insurance, you may claim the costs to be refunded according to your insurance policy. However, sometimes not all costs are covered by your insurance. Please inform yourself about the policy conditions of your insurance. Reguardless of the date and the amount of any refund, the costs of the treatment are to be paid when due.
Statutory insured persons may get a partial refund and need a presciption for osteopathic trearments before the first appointment.
However, a treatment should not become impossible because of its costs. Please contact me if you have financial problems.