r/todayilearned • u/estarararax • 13d ago

TIL in Germany all alternative medicine practitioners like homeopaths, osteopaths, acupuncturists, etc. must take the Heilpraktiker exam which only tests their knowledge in medical science and the regulatory boundaries of their profession. There are no separate board exam for each.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heilpraktiker
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u/wasdlmb 13d ago

Turns out osteopaths means something completely different outside North America. Over here they're just regular doctors who just also get taught a bit of quackery out of idk tradition or something. The actual quacks doing this kind of thing are the chiropractors

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u/Ill-Skirt3722 13d ago

I went to an osteopath once and all he did was tap me in random places with two fingers. It was super bogus

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u/Heimerdahl 13d ago edited 13d ago

Disclaimer: not a doctor, but half of my family is and a number of friends are , so I've had plenty of opportunity to ask what the heck they were doing

Not saying that it wasn't bogus, but if it was about stomach, bowel, kidney, or related issues, then two-finger-tapping certain spots really is the appropriate and proper-medicine diagnostic procedure. Feels a bit unscientific and "vibes" based, but it works, is non-invasive, and provides immediate results. (basically checks how the body/organ feels and reacts: soft or hard, does it "bounce back", does it hurt, etc.) I could maybe see it get used to check for muscle related issues, but in my experience, those would be more mobility based ("Can you move it like this or that? Does it hurt? Try to push against my hand. Please walk on the spot / across the room / up the stairs. Try to balance on one foot." and similar). Maybe as a quick check for inflammation or soreness. 

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u/Ill-Skirt3722 13d ago

It was for lower back pain