The Dorn Method - Controversy

A Yes to Self Responsibility and a No to Back Pain

Note: Dorn Therapy is NOT the same as Dorn Method! » see DORN Method vs Therapy

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A Critical Lk at The Dorn Method:

Because of the development and spread of this Method during the past years, the fact that it was re-discovered by a Lay-Healer and not a Medical Professional, money issues involved, egoistic and self-centered attitudes of practitioners and the fact that it was not and will not be controlled by a trademark owner or copyright executed through its founder Dieter Dorn brings the DORN Method more than just praise in these modern times!

The situation that there is no uniform way how the DORN Method is used, explained, named and understood even by professionals who are convinced about its effectiveness is further not really helping to solve this controversy.

Regardless how the Method presented here is called, or renamed from so many different practitioners who all present theirs as the best, complete new, only correct one etc., it is still a fact that all are based on the same basic principles of the DORN Method (from Dieter Dorn the Name giver, (» name coined by Helmuth Koch))
Although Dieter Dorn, the founder of this Selfhelp-Method, may have used explanations about this Method that are scientifically wrong or at least unproven claims he never intended to cheat on people or give false statements to enrich himself but did this due to a lack of medical training and a simple however good-hearted and tolerant attitute towards mankind and life in general.

To clarify: The DORN Method is not the same as the Dorn Therapy. The Dorn Therapy is actually only the practical manual application part of the DORN Method and used by therapists to work on a patient for a specific therapeutic outcome in view. All therapists that use DORN on their patients should practice the Dorn Therapy always with the goal to coach the client towards Self Help / Self Therapy so it becomes again a complete selfhelp method.

I have the hope and wish that all practitioners of the Dorn Method are willing to cooperate and that they agree on simple yet important principals and regulations (as outlined here on this website and by the official german DORN association: www.dorn-bewegung.org) and agree on a common code of ethics and conduct.

I also want to remark that the fact how some practitioners denigrate fellow colleagues , (regardless how they call their method!), and this in a very unfriendly matter is NOT supported by myself and many who think the same. If someone talks bad about others then this is a questionable behavior and it does not make their own actions good!

Surely there are many so-called Black Sheep out there who practice what they call the Dorn Method without really knowing what they do and/or doing something that is quite different than the original Dorn Method to the extend that it might even become dangerous for their patients. This does not only harm the reputation of the DORN Method but is wrong in general.

The explanations given to participants in seminars and during treatments are not always scientifically correct and sometimes appear very doubtable if not totally un-logical. Specially the often used explanation that a hip joint that is slipped out of its position is responsible for a leg length discrepancy, which is physiologically almost not possible. Independent research is necessary to understand the exact mechanics and physiology of the Dorn practical application.

There is no cure for all or Magic Bullet called The DORN Method (or similar re-named therapies) but this is what some tell to patients, however often not directly but using colorful words. If the motive is of financial nature or because of the enthusiastic trust in the Dorn Method following some positive experiences, does not matter here.

Many practitioners operate in a kind of Grey Zone from a legal point of view because the Dorn Method seen and presented as a Manual Therapy must, by law, stay in the hands of licensed professionals in the fields of Medicine and Therapy, that is the view of many critics.
The minimum required they say is that a Dorn Method Practitioner without license is doing his work under the supervision of a licensed medical doctor or a licenced Non-Medical Practitioner (MT, PT, ND, DC, DO etc.).

Because the Dorn Method should be seen as Self Help Method, as it was developed by Dieter Dorn, practitioners can therefore legally use the Method as long as its purpose is to educate people about the possibilities for Self Help and not to cure or treat health problems by means of therapy. This again, by law, can only be done occasionally and without payment unless the practitioner has a registered business as Health Coach, Self Help Consultant or similar.

Further many cannot accept the DORN Method because for them it is too simple to be true.

For many others the DORN Method is not just their profession it became their philosophy and they invest heart and soul into it to help others.

There are people who do not like the DORN Method because of the above mentioned or because they realize that it is not a fast cure for all and without their own cooperation (which is exactly what they do not want to do!) it does not give them the desired result.

Many also prefer a state of being not so well because the outer world does not demand so much from them as compared to when they feel well!

Other people use their undoubtable high intelligence against DORN often without having experienced it themselves and judge DORN based on words used or socalled claims made or because there are no evidence based studies about DORN. Make your own opinion here: http://edzardernst.com/2018/01/the-dorn-method-relatively-new-and-totally-bogus/

What do people say about DORN: Testimonials

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So many questions about DORN still unanswered:

• Is it necessary to regulate The Dorn Method by legal means?

• Are only licensed professionals allowed to help others?

• Is the wish of Dieter Dorn to keep this Method free and unregulated and therefore accessible as kind of folk medicine for everyone really wrong?

• Can Professionalism or Laymenship not be combined with Help from the Heart?

• Is it wrong to ask for a fair Energy Exchange (e.g. acceptable service fee) after investing time and effort for someone?

• How much is The Dorn Method worth?

• Shouldn't there be minimum regulations applied to The Dorn Method to protect people from being victimized?

• Who should establish these regulations?

• How can the Dorn Method be safely regulated and stay 'Free' and accessible for everyone?

The list goes on...

We must stay Open Minded but not to the extend that our Brain falls out!

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» Continue exploring the DORN Method: DORN FAQs

New: DORN selfhelp exercises webapp

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NOTE: Never try to use the DORN Method on other people without proper training best conducted by an authorized DORN Method Instructor. Although the DORN Method and the Self Help Exercises are very safe if done correctly, the DORN practitioner is not responsible for any consequences resulting from the application during the manual session and Selfhelp exercises. In any case it is advised to consult your doctor first because health problems and back pains may have other causes than misaligned joints and vertebrae and should be checked by a trained medical doctor or other healthcare professional. The DORN Method has certain Limitations that must be cleared prior to any practical application! Remember: The DORN Method is NO Replacement for any other form of medical or non-medical treatment but it can be a very effective complement in an integrative medical system.