Heinrich Averbeck
Encyclopedia
Johann Heinrich Bernhard Martin Averbeck (13 August 1844 – 2 February 1889) was a German physician
who was a native of Bremen
. He earned his medical doctorate at the University of Basel
, where he was a student of Carl von Liebermeister
(1833-1901). Between 1868 and 1879 he was a general practitioner and obstetrician in Bremen, and in 1879 opened an institute for physical therapy
at Baden Baden. Beginning in 1882 he developed a health spa and physical therapy clinic at Bad Laubach bei Koblenz
, which was described as a model institution of physical medicine.
Averbeck was a pioneer in the field of physiotherapy. He believed that the right combination of therapeutic
exercises and massage
were vital in the treatment of chronic illness and disease. Among his written works was a treatise on acute neurasthenia
called Die akute Neurasthenie, die plötzliche Erschöpfung der nervösen Energie. Reportedly, Sigmund Freud
found it an important reference work in his research involving the correlation of modern-day stress and neurasthenia.
Heinrich Averbeck was brother-in-law to neurologist
Otto Binswanger
(1852-1929).
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
who was a native of Bremen
Bremen
The City Municipality of Bremen is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany. A commercial and industrial city with a major port on the river Weser, Bremen is part of the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan area . Bremen is the second most populous city in North Germany and tenth in Germany.Bremen is...
. He earned his medical doctorate at the University of Basel
University of Basel
The University of Basel is located in Basel, Switzerland, and is considered to be one of leading universities in the country...
, where he was a student of Carl von Liebermeister
Carl von Liebermeister
Carl von Liebermeister was a German internist who was a native of Ronsdorf. In 1856 he received his medical degree from Greifswald, and in 1860 became an assistant to Felix von Niemeyer at the University of Tübingen. In 1864 he became a professor of pathology in Basel, and in 1871 succeeded Dr...
(1833-1901). Between 1868 and 1879 he was a general practitioner and obstetrician in Bremen, and in 1879 opened an institute for physical therapy
Physical therapy
Physical therapy , often abbreviated PT, is a health care profession. Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment/intervention,and rehabilitation...
at Baden Baden. Beginning in 1882 he developed a health spa and physical therapy clinic at Bad Laubach bei Koblenz
Koblenz
Koblenz is a German city situated on both banks of the Rhine at its confluence with the Moselle, where the Deutsches Eck and its monument are situated.As Koblenz was one of the military posts established by Drusus about 8 BC, the...
, which was described as a model institution of physical medicine.
Averbeck was a pioneer in the field of physiotherapy. He believed that the right combination of therapeutic
Therapy
This is a list of types of therapy .* Adventure therapy* Animal-assisted therapy* Aquatic therapy* Aromatherapy* Art and dementia* Art therapy* Authentic Movement* Behavioral therapy* Bibliotherapy* Buteyko Method* Chemotherapy...
exercises and massage
Massage
Massage is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle"...
were vital in the treatment of chronic illness and disease. Among his written works was a treatise on acute neurasthenia
Neurasthenia
Neurasthenia is a psycho-pathological term first used by George Miller Beard in 1869 to denote a condition with symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, headache, neuralgia and depressed mood...
called Die akute Neurasthenie, die plötzliche Erschöpfung der nervösen Energie. Reportedly, Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud , born Sigismund Schlomo Freud , was an Austrian neurologist who founded the discipline of psychoanalysis...
found it an important reference work in his research involving the correlation of modern-day stress and neurasthenia.
Heinrich Averbeck was brother-in-law to neurologist
Neurologist
A neurologist is a physician who specializes in neurology, and is trained to investigate, or diagnose and treat neurological disorders.Neurology is the medical specialty related to the human nervous system. The nervous system encompasses the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. A specialist...
Otto Binswanger
Otto Binswanger
Otto Ludwig Binswanger was a Swiss psychiatrist and neurologist who came from a famous family of physicians; his father was founder of the Kreuzlingen Sanatorium, and he was uncle to Ludwig Binswanger who was a major figure in the existential psychology movement...
(1852-1929).