A holistic philosophy of approaching health and personalizing wellbeing paths are the pillars which the wellness concept of the Preidlhof Medical Spa is based on. Both concepts that are increasingly relevant and topical, and whose practical declination is crucial for successful results.
Concepts that by their very intrinsic definition - of general overview and attention to detail - cannot avoid including, in the overall assessment, the therapist and their individuality.
Klaus Ladurner, the charismatic owner of the family that runs Preidlhof for more than half a century, has always believed in and invested in human resources excellence, and the Preidlhof Spa hosts a well-being team of highly experienced and authentic specialists and experts, carefully selected and led by the legendary and internationally renowned Wellness Coach and Spa Designer Patrizia Bortolin.
We begin our conversation with Preidlhof's team of wellness experts with Dr. Alexander Angerer, an in-house physician from South Tyrol who has wanted to be a doctor since he was 10 years old after being treated for a rare form of thrombosis.
A holistic approach to health is perhaps still more of a theoretical concept than a practical one: how important is it to have a holistic approach? And how can we learn to really bring this paradigm into our lives?
“The holistic approach is convincing a growing number of people, as they understand that traditional medicines often merely control symptoms without addressing the causes or curing them. Therefore, self-responsibility, awareness and careful observation of one's health play a crucial role. We try to teach, root and pass on these principles to our guests, following the motto: “Prevention is better than cure!” explains the Doctor.
Expert in complementary medicine, complementary psychology, herbal medicine, homeopathy, magnetic field therapy (PAPIMI) and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dr. Angerer's portfolio of specializations is extremely rich and varied. A session with him offers a comprehensive assessment of one’s health status through diagnostic testing, acupuncture, helpful advice on choosing supplements and lifestyle changes.
What practices and therapies do you most often use in the Med Spa and Med Retreats at Preidlhof?
“At the beginning of the medical retreat, I try to define the holistic and detailed history of the guest's health problems with the help of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This is followed, if necessary, by a laboratory examination based on blood, urine, stool or saliva samples, to detect any nutritional deficiencies and fill those gaps through individually prescribed oral therapy. Depending on the guest's wishes, we supplement treatment with prescribed homeopathic and herbal products to rebalance the human system effectively and without side effects. In addition, we provide practical advice to maintain the well-being of body, soul and mind once the guest return home,” he continues.
Several transformational wellness retreats at Preidlhof include a session to measure the heart rate variability (HRV) - expression of the continuous change in the interval between one heartbeat and the next - from the Integrated Wellness Retreat to the Sensorial Journey to the Silhouette Retreat or the Women Retreat.
What does HRV measurement consist of and what information can it provide?
“With HRV I can mainly measure the interaction between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems of our vegetative system. This provides useful information on sleep quality, digestive performance, mental strength, immune defense capacity, vitality and energy reserves. Such analysis provides an in-depth view of the host's current state and allows to answer many questions about general symptoms. I consider the HRV as a “disease seismograph,” following the principle: “Detect danger in time to prevent it!” explains Dr. Angerer.
One of his specializations is the magnetic field therapy (PAPIMI), conducted through a high-performance medical device, which offers ideal support to traditional and complementary medicine.
What does the therapy consist of and how crucial today is technology to support the application of complementary medicine?
“The PAPIMI therapy is an ion induction therapy that transmits very powerful electromagnetic pulses directly into the cells of the body, without contact and without pain. This process activates the self-healing forces, stimulates the cellular metabolism by increasing cell membrane potential, and demonstrably improves the microcirculation. During the diagnostic treatment, the body is individually and effectively examined with an applicator to identify any weak points or problem areas. I have found particular success in pain therapy for conditions such as joint osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, shingles, headaches, facial pain, dental inflammation, carpal tunnel syndrome, and sports injuries. The results are promising: 40% of patients no longer have symptoms, 34% describe significant improvement, 21% report mild improvement, and 5% notice no change,” Dr. Angerer concludes.
Come and discover The Preidlhof Way philosophy of the Preidlhof Medical Spa in a customized Med Retreat or in an uniquely designed wellness path of therapies based on specific needs. We will embark on a journey where science meets philosophy, modern medicine blends with traditional and complementary medicine, and our innate healing power is activated and supported by innovative techniques and a team of therapists which combines excellence and intuition and will guide us to the understanding of ourselves and our individual dynamics.