Dorn Therapy Method FAQs

Frequently asked Questions (and Answers!):

What conditions can be treated with the gentle manual therapy the 'Dorn Method'?

Every disease, even up to the psychical domain can be treated (positively influenced) unless an illness had already led to irreversible damages at organs. The main areas of application are: Muscle-Skeletal Disorders (incl. Back Pain, Sciatica, Scoliosis, Joint-Pain, Muscular Tensions, Migraines etc.)

Is there a scientific background for this kind of therapy?

1. A manual form of therapy which is basically unknown in conventional medicine until now, with absolutely revolutionary new knowledge. It concerns for example the manual adjustment of a difference in length of legs as a consequence of a subluxation of the hip-joint (subluxation=partly luxated=misaligned) and a subluxation of the joints of sacrum (Ilio-sacral joint) and possible knee and ankle joints. The longer leg is considered the ‘problem’-leg and Not the shorter leg as believed in classical medicine and chiropractic.

2. The osteopathic knowledge that there is a connection of each vertebra and its appropriate spinal segment to certain inner organs. That means that when there are damages at these structures, disturbances of organic functions are the consequence, which again are the base for the arising of diseases.

3. The knowledge of the Chinese medicine, especially of acupuncture and meridian science that the organic functions are stirred and leveled, also among each other, via the vegetative nervous system

4. The natural-scientific knowledge of anatomy, physiology, physics, chemistry and other domains.

Check also the page on Research and Clinical Trials (real case studies) done on the Dorn Method:

Click: RESEARCH

Different leg length leads to an inclined hip and therefore to a serious structural disturbance that is the main cause for most spinal problems.

What is the main cause in differences in leg length?

Sitting with crossed legs, wrong sitting positions and wrong stretching exercises will cause a (usually only temporary) subluxation (Misalignement) of the hip joint and an immediate unbalanced tensioning of the muscles around the hip that twist the hip blades, contribute to a sacrum misalignment and together lead to a difference in leg length. (I find an average of around 1,5cm or half an inch in most people I check!)

The joints of the knee and ankle can also get subluxated (misaligned) and can as well contribute to the leg length discrepancy.
When sitting and crossing legs the femural head (bone of the upper leg) is levered out of its natural position in the hip socket (acetabular) because in a sitting position the muscles around the hip joint are relaxed and do not stabilize the joint as they would while standing.
The same happens when bending down with straight legs (a very common stretching exercise) or every time we stretch our hip joint to an angle less than 90 degrees (as in many common known exercises). Long sitting in a car also shows this result.
This mechanism happens to everybody, no matter of age, already after one single wrong movement.

Also when I check this condition in children or even babies I found a difference in minimum 90% of the kids therefore I believe it is possible that this condition is a result of our birth where joints are stressed during delivery and not corrected immediately! Later in life we worsen the condition with our ‘un-natural’ movements.

For more details read further at the page: Causes for Misalignments

Is the treatment of the Dorn Method safe?

This form of manual therapy can be considered very safe since the adjustments are only done in cooperation with the patient during the dynamic of the joint to be adjusted, and the resulting relative force is by far below and only a fraction of the naturally occurring forces during everyday movements. The treatment is never done over the personal pain limit of the patient so injury is basically not possible and there are no reports of any problems in the 30 years history of the Dorn Method.

Are there any Contra-Indications?

The Do’s and Don'ts of the DORN METHOD:

Always consult a physician prior to applying the DORN METHOD on another person. Always be careful and get permission to treat. Give sufficient information to the patient about the treatment and brief him/her on possible reactions that can be expected. Observe the highest ethical and moral standards and cleanliness.

Immobile patients: An important component of the DORN METHOD are the dynamic gentle swinging motions that accompany the pressing and kneading actions, so if the patient cannot move or stand, the treatment is, in effect, not quite possible.

Accidents: After accidents or injury, you must not treat immediately, to avoid causing further damage, but six to eight weeks later, a treatment should be possible.

Cancer: Patients diagnosed with cancer often feel better after a Dorn treatment, but the treatment must be done very gently and with written permission/liability release from the patient. The cancer itself cannot be cured by the DORN METHOD but some symptoms may get better.

Inflammations: Patient with acute inflammations or fever should only be treated after the symptoms have disappeared.

Lumbago and prolapsed disk: Patients with Lumbago (Sciatica) can be treated very gently as long as they are able to move comfortably. It might be advisable to give a Breuss massage first to reduce the pain before correction with the DORN METHOD.

A prolapsed disk must not be treated using the DORN METHOD, and the patient needs emergency/first aid care first because the condition is very sensitive and may, in some cases, even require surgery.

Acute migraine: Patients with migraine should only be treated after symptoms have disappeared.

Numbness or Paralyzed patients: Light symptoms can be treated carefully, but if the condition is uncertain or getting worse, a neurologist should first be consulted.

Medication: Patients under medication should be treated very carefully and gently because weak bones or bleeding tendency might be among the side effects of some medication.

Patients with the tendency to bleed easily must only be treated by very experienced therapists.

The same goes for patients with osteoporosis, however these patients also benefit from Dorn Therapy.

Pregnant woman can be treated, but with written permission and liability release. Please note that a correction of the lumbar area after the seventh month might induce early labor, although there has been no such case in the known history of the DORN METHOD. Most pregnant woman would highly benefit from a Dorn Treatment when properly applied.

Children and Infants can be treated carefully and with permission of the parents.

It is better to do a Dorn Treatment gently, conservatively and more frequently, rather than do it aggressively and attempting to correct everything forcefully in just one or a few sessions.

Why is this treatment form called a method?

Dieter Dorn the founder of this method developed it as a true self help method which is much more than a mere form of therapy. In the Dorn Method the patient learns about the cause of problems, receives a gentle, safe and very effective treatment and learns how to continue the therapy for lasting results by its own with simple self help exercises that require little time.
So in principle a Dorn Method practitioner is teaching someone how to apply the Dorn Method

Is it difficult to learn the Dorn Method?

No absolutely not! Within two days almost anyone can learn how to use this Method. All you need is the will to learn and two sensible hands. And with some talent only a longer period of practice is required for a student to become a master which should be guided by a qualified Dorn Method Teacher!
Everyone who has a background in medicine or manual therapy will very fast learn the simple movements and adjustment skills and greatly benefit from this new knowledge.

The basic training however, usually done in two days, may only be sufficient for some experienced therapists, but requires an immediate application of the newly learned skills in order to gain the necessary experience.

An extended training (min 4 days) or a review (advanced) training is highly recommended.

Such training is also required for therapists to be listed in the International Dorn Method Directory.

Who can learn and apply the Dorn Method?

Anyone can learn and apply the Dorn Method as Self Help Method for Non-Professional use.

The Professional Use of the Dorn `Therapy` Method however is usually regulated by the different laws in the respective countries.

If the Dorn Method is applied as Therapy for specific Health Problems (e.g. Back Pain etc.) the Practitioner must have experience and a license to practice. (e.g. MD, ND, DC, DO, LMT, PT etc.)

Usually a Liability insurance is also required to practice.

The Dorn Method can be applied by Non Medical or Wellness Practitioners (Health Coach, Alternative Medicine Practitioners etc.) for the purpose of teaching the client the Dorn Method Principles and Self Therapy Exercises.

This is educational work and may not require a special license.

Any hand´s on work in this case must be applied as Non-Therapeutic Client controlled action for demonstration purpose only. In this way the Dorn Method can also be applied as Wellness-Therapy that includes Customer Wellness Education for Prevention and Maintenance. (e.g. in Wellness Centers, Healing Centers, Spa´s etc.)

How many treatments are necessary to correct misaligned joints and spinal problems?

There are no set number of treatments and in many cases one treatment can already help. In a few cases up to three treatments are recommended and in long existing conditions several month of therapy might be necessary so it is best to learn the method and apply it on oneself or family.

Can the Dorn Method correct Scoliosis?

Depending on the state of scoliosis it can! It is the only form of manual therapy that might correct even quite serious forms of scoliosis. (further info: Scoliosis and Dorn)
Usually it requires some patience from the patient because the correction may take several weeks, months or years but can be done by the patient itself best with some help of a relative or friend

How long will the Result after the Therapy last?

The positive result often stays very long although this varies from patient to patient. But without the patients cooperation in the recovery process a real improvement is unlikely, so Self Help Exercises and changes in lifestyle and habits is part of the healing.

Is a Dorn Therapy all that is necessary to get and stay healthy and Pain Free?

Of course NO! It is best to combine the Dorn Method with other good and safe Therapies and Treatments, a change in lifestyle and in cooperation with accepted Conventional Medical Approaches, however a real healing in a state of Imbalance due to misalignments in the structural system is highly unlikely so The Dorn Method (or at least its principals!!!) should be part of all other approached Therapies.

Complementing treatments like deep neuro-muscular massage etc. are advised to assist the Healing and to avoid that the tensed muscles are provoking or causing further misalignments!

Does the Dorn Method use medication or surgery?

No, in the Dorn Method only gentle manual adjustments are done with the hands and without any tools or medication or surgery.

Can the Dorn Method replace other Therapies and what other approaches are recommended?

The Dorn Method cannot replace other Therapies as well as other Therapies cannot replace The Dorn Method. In case of problems usually the following priorities and possibilities are recommended: (depending on the actual case of course!)

1. Appropriate Emergency Procedures if indicated!

2. Conventional Medical Approach best in cooperation with CAM (Complementary Alternative Medicine)

3. Self Help including Exercises, Education instead of Medication (e.g. visit websites like www.curezone.com and www.mercola.com), Proper Nutrition with Plenty of Water.

Recommended are CAM Therapies in following Priority:

1. The Dorn Therapy

2. Wholistic Therapies for the Muscles and Nerves (Manual Therapies like Massage, CST, Acupressure, Rolfing, etc.)

3. Wholistic Therapies and Approaches that improve our Metabolism (Detox, Herbal Medicine, Good Food Supplements, Natural Biological clean Diet, Exercise etc.)

4. Wholistic Therapies that improve our Physical and Non-Physical Imbalances (TCM-Approaches like Acupuncture, Hydro-Therapy, Reiki or other Energy-Therapies, Hypnosis, EFT, Meditation, Yoga, Non-Fanatic Religion (Prayers), Electro-Magnetic Therapies (like the BEES, Rife), etc.)

5. Last but probably most important: Self Help (Look for the Solution inside Yourself not only on the outside) by changing Lifestyle and unhealthy habits and patterns. Find sense in life without causing harm to others and the environment.

Is the DORN METHOD similar to Chiropractic or Osteopathy?

No, the DORN METHOD is different in most aspects! Although the outcome target is the same, namely a correction of misalignments, the way this is achieved varies to a great extend, however it has some similar approaches and could be called a gentle relative to Chiropractic and maybe even a closer relative to Osteopathy. (Click Research to read more about that relationship)

Chiropractic can be a very effective and safe therapy and it has proven to be with very little risk if done the right way, however it is not completely risk free. Because the Dorn method is not yet as popular as it should be a good Chiropractor or Osteopath would always be my preferred choice when it comes to Back Problems. Unfortunately quite a few Chiropractors as well as many other Medical Professionals seem to be more after the financial result rather than the highest benefit of the patient which is somewhat understandable after a long period of study and the enormous cost involved in our modern (advanced???) medical system. Actual time spent with a patient is often only around 15 minutes and patients are more like ‘numbers’ rather than people with a name that’s remembered on a follow up consultation.

I hope that one day in the near future many Chiropractors will also learn the Dorn Method and combine the two Therapies and revolutionize the way Back Pain is dealt with.

A Session with a good Dorn Method Practitioner most likely lasts at least one hour intensive hands on and tutorial and explanations, that is time most other Medical Practitioners simply don’t have anymore even they would like to!

Chiropractic

DORN-Therapy

Abrupt, fast corrections

Gentle, sensitive corrections

Uses traction (stretching)

Uses gentle pressure only (no traction)

Correction in static position

Correction in a dynamic (motion)

Surprises the muscles

Diverts the muscles attention

Very few repetitions possible

Unlimited repetitions possible

Patient stays passive

Patient cooperates actively

Numerous contra-indications

Very few contra-indications

Some risk (if done incorrect)

Almost no risk (Dorn Method way!)

Long training period required

Very short training period (few days)

Pre-knowledge required

No Pre-knowledge required

Few explanations to patient

Detailed explanations to patient

No Self Help Exercises

Numerous Self Help Exercises

The Dorn Method can be combined with classical chiropractic however the Dorn Method should be applied after any Chiro-Treatments

What indicates a good Dorn Method Practitioner?

A good DORN METHOD Therapist should have a certificate showing that he was properly trained by an authorized Lecturer.

The Therapy must include explanations, leg length control and correction, gentle treatment without causing pain and the teaching of self help exercises as well as explanation of possible causes and wrong movement habits. The patient should be given instructive hand-outs for their homework, ask for it!

Treatment fees may vary but should be reasonable.

The Therapist should be available for further guidance and advice.

The Therapist must maintain the highest ethical and moral standards.

The Therapist should not be in a rush and have sufficient time for the patient.

The Therapist must not act against the advice of a physician and make the patient believe that his therapy is the answer for all concerns.

The sincere desire to help should be the first concern before any material consideration.

The Therapist should be skilled and have some familiarity with general medicine concepts, anatomy and physiology.

How is the body reacting to a treatment?

There are many possible reactions following a 'Dorn' treatment. Usually the patient feels better directly after the treatment which is also an indication that the treatment did no harm! Due to the new positions of the joints (especially in the spine) the muscles may react with some tension and pain up to a few days after the therapy. The points that was pressed may be sensitive to pressure and light pressure marks may appear on the skin. Also Flue like symptoms are possible. The increased nerve flow may lead to a detoxification of our body due to a positive change in our metabolism so this cleansing can show at the skin or in a chance in urination or stool. Even psychological issues may appear.
All this is often called 'healing crisis' and should be judged positive.
The patient is encouraged to drink lots of water and refrain from wrong positions and movements and heavy exercises directly after the therapy. Remember: Healing needs rest!

For further details and questions please e-mail me: info@dorn-method.com

Visit the very interesting website with loads of info about Alternative medicine

and an English Dorn Method Forum with very informative messages and articles at:

http://www.curezone.com (go to Dorn Method Forums)

Visit also the Dorn Therapy Forum and share your experiences with others!

For more information of recommended Healing Approaches like Reiki click here: Reiki & Dorn

New: Check out the newly created Code of Ethics and Conduct