Anthroposophic Medicine: The Art of Healing Short Film Series

Author: Goetheanum
Published: 2021/03/24 - Updated: 2025/02/24
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Films, Radio and TV - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: Rooted in the relationship series of short films on The Art of Healing gives insight into Anthroposophic Medicine.

Why it matters: This report dives into the world of anthroposophic medicine through a series of short films titled "The Art of Healing," offering a clear and engaging look at this holistic approach to health. It's packed with insights from experts, patients, and researchers, making it a great resource for anyone curious about integrative medicine - especially those with disabilities, seniors, or chronic conditions who might be exploring ways to boost their body's natural healing abilities. The films cover everything from pediatrics to oncology, showing how this century-old practice blends conventional medicine with therapies like art and movement to treat the whole person, not just symptoms. It's an interesting and practical introduction that could spark ideas for managing health in a more rounded way - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

Anthroposophic medicine (anthroposophical medicine) is defined as a form of alternative medicine. Anthroposophical medicine is based on occult notions and draws on Steiner's spiritual philosophy, which he called anthroposophy. Many drug preparations used in anthroposophic medicine are ultra-diluted substances, similar to those used in homeopathy. Practitioners employ a variety of treatment techniques based upon anthroposophic precepts, including massage, exercise, counselling, and substances.

Main Item

The film maker Benedikt Schulte presents Anthroposophic Medicine in a series of short films entitled 'The Art of Healing'. The films provide an insight into the medical practice, inviting experts, researchers, students and patients to share their experiences and casting a light on the history of Anthroposophic Medicine.

The Goetheanum is the headquarters for the School of Spiritual Science and the General Anthroposophical Society. The School of Spiritual Science with its eleven sections is active worldwide in research, development, teaching, and the practical implementation of its research findings and is supported by the Anthroposophical Society.

Continued below image.

Continued...

The paediatrician David Martin, professor of Medical Theory and Integrative and Anthroposophic Medicine at Witten-Herdecke University in Germany, describes one of the central aspects of Anthroposophic Medicine:

"We have to develop a medicine that offers the whole range of possibilities on the basis of which physicians and parents can choose what is the right thing to do in a given context. In order to achieve this, we need perceptiveness and sensitivity; we need to be present, with the patient, well rooted in the relationship - that will create the foundation for a good medicine."

Matthias Girke, who is head of the Medical Section and co-producer of the film series 'The Art of Healing', also speaks of starting by perceiving the individual patient in order to find out what they need and respond accordingly.

Anthroposophic Medicine focuses on the question of regaining health and develops therapeutic concepts in order to activate the human organism. The underlying view of the human being is that described by Friedrich Schiller as "It is the spirit that builds up the body". The aim is to treat the whole human being. The physician Ita Wegman and Rudolf Steiner laid the foundations for this medicine a hundred years ago.

The seven episodes in this series of films, each of which is about 15 minutes long, describe the integrative approach of Anthroposophic Medicine, providing examples of specialist areas such as paediatrics, oncology and pharmacy and of research topics such as how to respond when children are running a temperature.

Anthroposophic Medicine ranges from A&E to general practice to art therapies. It has hospitals with intensive care units, such as the Covid-19 ward at the Havelhöhe Community Hospital in Berlin, Germany, and outpatient clinics that provide medical and nursing care as well as therapies.

Because of Sars-CoV-2 restrictions applying during filming, the documentation had to be limited to Anthroposophic Medicine in Germany and Switzerland.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Here's the thing about anthroposophic medicine - it's not just another alternative fad; it's a thoughtful system that's been around for a hundred years, asking us to rethink healing as more than a quick fix. These films do a solid job of showing how it bridges science and spirit without tossing out modern medicine. For folks dealing with long-term health struggles, or even caregivers looking for fresh angles, it's a perspective worth chewing on. Sure, it's got its quirks - like any approach rooted in big ideas - but it's hard to argue with a method that's stuck around this long and keeps drawing people in with its focus on the whole human experience. Explore anthroposophic medicine in "The Art of Healing" films - a holistic blend of science and therapy for whole-person health, ideal for seniors and those with disabilities

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Goetheanum and published on 2021/03/24, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, Goetheanum can be contacted at goetheanum.ch/en NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.