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Jochen Reisberger runs Germany’s
leading Kneipp and health resort, the
Kneippianum in Bad Wörishofen. He is
also part of the Dornbracht Healthness
network of experts. He explains the
Kneipp principle – and its all-embracing
mode of action – in an interview.
MR REISBERGER, YOU ARE
A WELL-KNOWN KNEIPP EXPERT.
WHAT DOES KNEIPP THERAPY AMOUNT
TO? WHAT ARE ITS DISTINGUISHING
FEATURES?
J. Reisberger — Kneipp therapy is a
recognised holistic approach that acts
on the body, the mind and the soul. It is
unique in Europe. If you look beyond
Europe, there are only two other forms of
therapy like this: TCM, that is Traditional
Chinese Medicine, and Ayurveda, the
traditional Indian art of healing. Kneipp
therapy takes its name from the nine-
teenth century priest, hydrotherapist and
naturopath Sebastian Anton Kneipp.
He made the applications accessible.
WHAT IS THE BASIC IDEA
BEHIND KNEIPP THERAPY?
J. Reisberger — It is based on five
pillars: water or hydro therapy, medicinal
plant therapy, nutritional therapy, exer-
cise therapy and the so-called lifestyle
regulation therapy, which is to do with
your way of life. It is the bracket that
encloses all the other therapies. Its pri-
mary concern is for an individual to be
mentally at ease with their own situation
and with their social environment.
IF YOU CONSIDER THE
FIVE PILLARS: WHAT ROLE DOES
WATER THERAPY PLAY?
J. Reisberger — A crucial one. Firstly,
it strengthens the body’s natural defences
and the cardiovascular system. It also
gives the blood vessels a good workout,
boosts the metabolism and leads to a
balanced autonomic nervous system.
IS WATER THERAPY
ESSENTIALLY ALWAYS THE SAME?
J. Reisberger — Not at all, water
ap plications can be individually and
subtly graded. They are always adapted
to the individual and/or the particular
situation. In other words, a course of
Kneipp Treatment is an advanced and
finely differentiated system that can be
tailored to the particular constitution
with great accuracy. All in all, there are
about 120 different water applications
in Kneipp therapy.
KNEIPP EXPERT
Jochen Reisberger
“Kneipp improves
physical and
mental vitality.”
“Its primary concern
is for an individual to
be mentally at ease
with their own situation
and with their social
environment.”
