[Investigation of the rhythmical embrocating according to Wegman/Hauschka].

Introduction: With the research on Rhythmical Embrocating according to Wegman/Hauschka (RE) since the 1990ies, nursing science has made an important contribution in obtaining acceptance for complementary methods. AIM, MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on methods of phenomenology of the living body inspired by Goethean science, we aimed to investigate on the following question: What are the typical psychosomatic reactions of patients treated with RE? Theoretical sampling led to the inclusion of 13 nursing experts on RE.

Results: We found three typical pattern of patient-reaction on RE: being uncaged - re-identifing - empowering. These patterns do not only rely on changes of physical parameters, but also suggest changes of vegetative, mental and spiritual dimensions.

Conclusion: A careful interpretation of our results leads to the conclusion, that the concepts derived here might be seen as archetypes of human reaction on specific kinds of therapeutic touch.