Pain Management Clinic, Dr. Peter Leithoff, M.D.

Osteopathy is a manual therapeutic approach to identifying and treating functional disorders. It complements conventional medicine but does not replace it. Dr. Leithoff is a board-certified general practitioner who has worked exclusively as a pain specialist for over 30 years and always combines osteopathy with neuro-acupuncture (using needles or lasers) and frequently with bioidentical hormone therapy as well. As a medical psychotherapist, he understands the significance of psychological stress. This and much more must be taken into account when investigating the underlying causes. 

Common indications include back pain, neck/cervical spine problems, sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction, headaches/migraines, shoulder and joint pain, functional digestive problems, and chronic pain syndromes.

The first appointment usually lasts 30 to 40 minutes: a detailed medical history, a functional examination, a discussion of the findings and the causes of the pain, followed by the initial treatment steps, which are typically combined with neuro-acupuncture using needles or a laser. 

The techniques are mostly gentle. Mild soreness, fatigue, or muscle aches may occur temporarily; these usually subside within 24–72 hours. 

It depends on the individual: acute symptoms often require 1–2 sessions, while chronic or complex cases require 2–4 sessions. This above-average pace assumes that the underlying causes have been identified and are treatable. As a rule, treatment involves a combination of different approaches, of which osteopathy is just one.

We use a range of manual techniques: parietal (joints/muscles), visceral (organs), craniosacral, and myofascial techniques, as well as targeted mobilizations and functional tests. Dr. Leithoff has developed his own techniques to resolve disorders of the muscles and other soft tissues by releasing associated bone tension. 

Yes. Acute infections, recent fractures, and certain unclear neurological or oncological findings are contraindications. A thorough evaluation is conducted before each treatment; if necessary, we refer patients to specialists.

As a private medical practice, we bill according to the GOÄ. Private insurance companies and supplemental insurance plans usually reimburse the costs. Patients with statutory health insurance come to us as self-paying patients and receive a subsidy from most health insurance providers (usually 30 to 60 euros per appointment); we’d be happy to provide you with more information with no obligation. We’ll issue the osteopathy referral required by statutory health insurance providers on your behalf. 

In this practice, osteopathy is always part of a multimodal approach: neuro-acupuncture, hormone testing, custom orthotics, sleep optimization, and stress reduction (when feasible), as well as medication when necessary, are very often combined with osteopathy. This does not make the treatment more comprehensive; rather, it simplifies and shortens the treatment process.

There are positive studies for certain indications; the evidence varies depending on the symptoms. We take an evidence-based approach, openly explain what to expect, and only begin treatment if a realistic chance of success is likely. Furthermore, there is no such thing as “the one and only osteopathy.” Similarly, the level of medical training among “osteopaths” varies widely.

Yes, using adapted techniques.

The minimum age for treatment by Dr. Leithoff is 2 years.

Dr. Leithoff has been treating musculoskeletal pain and general functional disorders using manual techniques for over 30 years. He has earned the additional medical specialty designation in “chirotherapy” as well as the “Diploma in Osteopathic Medicine” (D.O.M.) from the German Society for Osteopathic Medicine (D.G.O.M.). He participates in annual continuing education courses in medical osteopathy. 

Neuro-acupuncture is a modern form of acupuncture that uses needles or lasers to deliver targeted nerve stimulation in order to activate the body’s own pain-relief and healing mechanisms. The method is based on anatomy and the physiology of pain.

Unlike traditional meridian theory, our method is based on neurophysiological principles, functional disorders, and measurable responses. The selection of points, the intensity of stimulation, and the procedure are scientifically grounded and compatible with conventional medicine.

The main indications are acute and chronic pain, muscular functional disorders, neuropathic symptoms, migraines, and limited range of motion. In our practice, treatment is almost always combined with osteopathy and often with other therapeutic measures as well.

Needles or lasers produce a targeted nerve stimulus and a minimal tissue response. The nervous system then initiates defense and repair processes that simultaneously alleviate the original pain.

After taking a medical history and conducting a brief examination, thin needles are inserted with pinpoint accuracy or a laser is applied. The needles usually remain in place only briefly; the effect is assessed immediately, allowing multiple areas to be treated in a single session.

Laser acupuncture is generally less painful than traditional acupuncture, since fewer and thinner needles are used. Laser acupuncture is painless and a good alternative for those who are afraid of needles.

Many patients feel immediate results; 1–3 sessions are usually sufficient.

The exact number depends on the symptoms and the individual's response.

In rare cases, only mild, temporary reactions such as redness, small bruises, or brief fatigue may occur. Serious complications are extremely rare. We use sterile, single-use needles and adhere to strict hygiene standards.

Caution is advised in cases of severe blood clotting disorders, active infections, certain skin conditions, and, in specific cases, when medical devices have been implanted. Acute emergencies must first be evaluated by a doctor.

Please wear comfortable clothing and bring your most recent medical reports and a list of medications with you.

After your appointment, we recommend taking it easy; if you experience any unusual reactions, please contact the office.

Yes. At our practice, we routinely combine and coordinate neuro-acupuncture with osteopathy and other techniques and tools to achieve the best possible and fastest results.

An appointment lasts 30 to 40 minutes. As a private medical practice, we bill according to the GOÄ. Private patients can usually expect full reimbursement, while self-paying patients with public insurance typically receive a subsidy from most insurance providers specifically for osteopathy. You can schedule an appointment by phone, through this website, or directly via Doctolib.

Important Note:

The following information is provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. We do not begin any hormone therapy until a thorough examination, laboratory testing, and patient education have been completed.

Hormonal factors influence muscle tone, sleep, mood, and pain processing. Using a multimodal approach, we assess whether hormonal imbalances (e.g., progesterone deficiency) contribute to increased muscle tension, nighttime teeth grinding, or chronic postural problems, and whether targeted correction can accelerate the success of treatment.

Only after a thorough evaluation: If the patient’s medical history, clinical findings, and lab results suggest that hormones are contributing to the pain, a personalized, medically supervised bioidentical hormone therapy may be used as a complementary treatment—always in combination with other pain management therapies, specifically osteopathy and neuro-acupuncture, at a minimum.

Hormones such as progesterone affect muscle tone, sleep quality, and central pain processing. Improving these factors can reduce muscle tension, minimize improper postural strain during sleep, and thereby help alleviate pain.

Pain management focuses primarily on progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone, supplemented by a comprehensive assessment of thyroid and adrenal function. The choice of treatment depends on the patient’s symptoms and laboratory test results.

Bioidentical preparations are identical to the hormones produced naturally by our bodies. Our bodies are already functioning with these hormones. Just like our osteopathy and acupuncture, our hormone therapy is a targeted approach designed to help the body regain its balance (in this case, to restore an abnormally low hormone level to an optimal range) so that it no longer needs to produce pain as a warning signal. Within the complex interplay of disorders and symptoms, hormone levels that are too low or too high often have a massive causal impact. Pain therapy that also takes hormone levels into account can therefore be thoroughly effective and have long-lasting results. 

Steps in the decision-making process: detailed medical history, physical examination, targeted laboratory tests, comparison of symptoms and findings, and risk assessment. Treatment is offered only when a favorable benefit-risk profile is established.

Every course of treatment is medically supervised and includes regular checkups (clinical and laboratory tests).

Risks and side effects are discussed in advance.

Some patients report noticeable improvements (e.g., sleep, muscle relaxation) within a few days or weeks; it may take one to several months for the full effect to be felt.  

No. In our practice, hormone therapy is a supplement, not a substitute. We achieve the best results through a combination of approaches: manual adjustments (= osteopathy), neurophysiological stimulation (= neuro-acupuncture), and targeted hormonal balance (= bioidentical hormone therapy) work synergistically.

Possible side effects range from local reactions to systemic effects (e.g., breast tenderness, mood swings).

A 48-year-old female patient with chronic shoulder pain and sleep disturbances  

After a thorough medical history and physical examination, laboratory tests revealed an unusually low progesterone level. The hypothesis: progesterone deficiency led to increased nighttime muscle tension, teeth grinding, and resulting postural problems with shoulder pain. Using a multimodal approach, we combined two sessions of osteopathy and neuro-acupuncture with a medically supervised, individually tailored evening dose of bioidentical progesterone. After just three weeks, the patient reported significantly improved sleep and reduced shoulder pain; the mouthguard she had previously needed could be discontinued. Laboratory results and symptom progression were documented, and the therapy was evaluated regularly.