Berlin, Germany. Integrative medicine at Berlin’s Charité hospital.
Traditional and holistic medical practices are widespread. Around 80 percent of the world’s population regularly uses therapeutic methods such as acupuncture, naturopathy, or therapeutic fasting. Practices such as yoga and meditation have also long been part of mainstream wellness. Nevertheless, the focus in public health care remains on conventional medical treatment approaches—integrative approaches are often met with skepticism, and in most cases, patients must bear the costs of treatment themselves. The newly established Competence Center for Traditional and Integrative Medicine at Berlin’s Charité hospital (CCCTIM) represents a significant step toward holistic healthcare, focusing on enhancing individuals’ self-healing capabilities.
The CCCTIM is a hub for applied health prevention, as well as for research and the further development of holistic therapies, and their systematic integration into conventional medical care. A study center and a university outpatient clinic are currently being established as part of the center. Knowledge of traditional and integrative medicine is also to be anchored in the study content of the university hospital. The therapeutic approaches to be applied and researched include, for example, traditional medicine from Europe, China, and India, as well as nature-based therapies such as forest therapy and Kneipp cures, yoga, meditation, aromatherapy, and topical treatments.
Translation Charles Cross
Picture THLT LCX
