ESSOMM - UEMS

ESSOMM
European Scientific Society of Manual Medicine
President: Dr. Ulrich Böhni, Schaffhausen (CH)
The Treasurer:
Dr. med.
Hermann Locher
Orthopedic Surgeon
Lindauerstraße 16
D-88069 Tettnang
derlocher@gmx.de
Dr. Bernard Maillet Fone. 00491712864359
UEMS Secretary General
Av. De la Couronne, 20 Kroonlaan
B – 1050 BRUSSELS Tettnang, 03. 04. 2011
Belgium
Multidisciplinary joint committee (MJC) Manual Medicine in UEMS
Dear colleague Maillet,
The reason for writing you this letter is as follows: the members of the European Scientific
Society of Manual Medicine (ESSOMM) and other societies concerning Manual Medicine are
convinced about the necessity of founding an MJC Manual Medicine in the UEMS.
There are several facts why the setup of such a committee is required. During the last years
has been a wide proliferation in the field of the National Associations of Manual Medicine,
mainly in research and training. Additionally the number of self educated osteopaths und
chiropractors throughout Europe increases. This development leads to a growing uncertainty
for physicians, patients and health insurances.
The scientific organisations of specialists and professional institutions are more and more
confused about the definition and the exact outline of Manual Medicine. Consented
guidelines set by a committee within the UEMS as an umbrella organisation could provide a
common agreement, especially for the medical doctors.

By now the National Associations of Manual Medicine and other scientific organisations have
not been able to work out a curriculum for instruction and schooling at universities to meet
the Bologna criteria and be comparable in Europe. Therefore the ESSOMM was founded.
We assume it to be better and essential to create a platform within the UEMS to establish the
option for discussion and to conclude on the basis of generally accepted set standards.
As there is a great demand for education standards it seems to be a good opportunity to
come up with it right now. The internet offers the ideal platform for publishing and interacting.
A first discussion level and the beginning of communicative exchange between the European
societies was prepared by the Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Working out an agreement among the Sections, Boards, Societies and further partners
should be easier than trying to find an individual consent between small groups. A well
equipped committee could start to work immediately. There are top-class scientifically
orientated and experienced physicians to support the MJC and to provide them with advice.
The standards set by the committee afford the possibility to build a common framework of
international importance and to optimize the quality of our job.
We would appreciate it if you would support us in the installation of the MJC. Be assured that
we will design an open and sustainable structure which is indispensable for the progress of
Manual Medicine - performed by well trained and skilled physicians. Manual Medicine and
the functional way of thinking are exposed to immense changes and expansion. Hence a well
based frame to be up to the mark and occurring challenges is necessary.
As the speakers of the MJC we would suggest Dr. Hermann Locher from Tettnang, Germany
who is one the founders of ESSOMM, and Prof. Dr. Ulrich Smolenski from Jena, who
already concentrates for a long time on questions concerning Manual Medicine in UEMS.
They would both equally share the responsabiltiy for this task.
I would be pleased to hear about your opinion on this topic.
Yours sincerely
Firming for all the following colleagues

Dr. Ueli Böhni (CH) Priv. Doz. Dr. Johannes Buchmann (D) Dr. Hermann Locher (D)
President ESSOMM Vice President ESSOMM Treasurer ESSOMM
Dr. Michaela Habring (A) Dr. Marcus Schilgen Münster (D) Dr. Günter Abt,(D)
Coordinator ESSOMM Secretary ESSOMM Orthopedic Surgeon,UEMS
Attached you find a list of important references in this question (based on a literature search
of the last fifteen years). Meanwhile, Manual Medicine is part of the National German
Guideline for the management of chronic and acute low back pain as an evident and
effective treatment.
Adresses:
DR. GUENTER ABT
12247 BERLIN
SEYDLITZSTR.5
+49 30 76 9999
Dr. Ulrich Böhni
Praxiszentrum ZeniT
Schwertstr. 9
CH- 8200 Schaffhausen
Tel: 0041- 52- 630 00 89
Oehningerstr. 14
CH- 8260 Stein am Rhein
Tel: 0041- 52- 742 00 39
Mobil: 0041- 79- 437 96 32
ulrich@boehni.ch
PD Dr. Johannes Buchmann
Zentrum für Nervenheilkunde, Universität Rostock
Gehlsheimer Strasse 20
D- 18147 Rostock
Tel: 0049- 381- 494 4610
Fax: 0049- 381- 494 4612
johannes.buchmann@med.uni-rostock.de
j.buchmann@t-online.de

Dr. Hermann Locher
Zentrum für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie
Lindauer Straße 16/1
D- 88069 Tettnang
Tel: 0049- 7542- 93 39 0
Fax: 0049- 7542- 93 39 20
Mobil: 0049- 171- 337 338 5
derlocher@gmx.de
Prof. Dr. Markus Schilgen
Leitender Arzt der Akademie für Manuelle Medizin an der Westfählischen
Wilhelms- Universität
Von- Esmarch- Str. 50
D- 48149 Münster
Tel: 0049- 251- 98 130 0
Fax: 0049- 251- 98 130 39
Mobil: 0049- 151- 229 584 34
Markus.schilgen@Markus-Schilgen.de
kontakt@manuellemedizin.de
Dr. Michaela Habring
Lauffnerwaldweg 1/5
A- 4820 Bad Ischl
Mobil: 0043- 676- 510 5310
michaela.habring@gmx.at
Prof. Dr. med. Ulrich Smolenski
Universitätsklinikum Jena
Institut für Physiotherapie
Erlanger Allee 101
07747 Jena
Tel.: 03641-9 32 52 00
Fax: 03641-9 32 52 02
E-Mail: Ulrich.Smolenski@med.uni-jena.de

Literatur
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derlocher@gmx.de