The founder of the BUCHINGER practice is born in Darmstadt. His father envisages a career as a public servant for his son and encourages him to study law.
The BUCHINGER method has a longstanding tradition. Originally founded by Otto Buchinger, the path of the therapeutic fasting cure has seen constant further development over the decades. The handing down of practical knowledge as well as new research have made the BUCHINGER method what it is today: A contemporary form of a healthy lifestyle.
Combining both traditional and modern elements has always been a part of the BUCHINGER method, which is why our clinic consists of a cross section of experience from four different generations of doctors. Together with our team of competent therapists and counsellors, we have been treating patients for almost 100 years.
The founder of the BUCHINGER practice is born in Darmstadt. His father envisages a career as a public servant for his son and encourages him to study law.
Otto Buchinger begins his studies in law at the University of Giessen, yet his main interest appears to be in medicine. After only half a year, he changes to medicine. Many years later he joked that it was the later timing of the lectures that were the actual reason for changing.
Otto Buchinger receives his PhD for his work on „the influence of pepsin on the electric conductivity of milk“. He begins working as a naval doctor and as such is posted to various locations.
Following a bout of tonsillitis in 1917, Otto Buchinger’s health deteriorates. The illness is not fully treated and results in severe rheumatoid arthritis. His movement is constrained to such a degree that he is discharged as an invalid from the military service. As a result, Buchinger tries to cure his illness, using contemporary methods known to school medicine at the time.
After two years of suffering, Otto Buchinger I. decides to take part in a fasting cure with Dr. Riedlin in Freiburg. He describes this step later on as follows: „I was ready to try the utmost, to veer off the common path. “ And he is actually rewarded for taking this step: „ I experienced a primordial change in spirit! My limbs were released.”
In the aftermath of this experience, Otto Buchinger decided to look further into fasting and decided to research the history of therapeutic fasting and its different methods. With the knowledge he gained he opened up the Sanatorium in his hometown Witzenhausen in 1920. Here, Dr. Buchinger treated patients with various afflictions and used the results to further develop his own method.
The sanatorium is moved to Bad Pyrmont. The picturesque spa town, known for its health benefits, was already attracting a large number of visitors. The Buchinger fasting clinic is situated on the Hauptallee, in close proximity to the castle and spa gardens. The first version of "Das Heilfasten und seine Hilfsmethoden als biologischer Weg" is published, with numerous new editions to follow.
18 years after the move to Bad Pyrmont, a new chapter begins for the fasting clinic: the founder retires and hands over the reins to his son. The tradition of the clinic continues and it is now registered as a family business. Otto Buchinger II. builds on the outstanding reputation of the sanatorium and further develops the method with findings from modern medicine.
After 30 years of being situated on the Hauptallee, a new site is inaugurated. The decision made by Otto Buchinger II. is based on the town’s development and its increasing traffic problems. The new clinic is built on the foot of the Bomberg, where the calmer surroundings ensure the patients have a more enjoyable stay.
Andreas Buchinger, who like his ancestors studied medicine, takes over the directorship of the clinic from Dr. Otto Buchinger. Supported by his proactive wife Evelyn, Dr. Andreas Buchinger begins to plan an extension to the clinic. It is thought that this will serve the increasing numbers of guests.
The Blumenhaus opens its doors to visitors from all over the world. Tastefully decorated rooms increase the capacity of the sanatorium and add to the general atmosphere of rest and recuperation. Furthermore, the newly built house is connected below ground to the main house, so that guests are easily able to reach therapy rooms, even in inclement weather conditions.
A further step in the history of the family business: Dr. Verena Buchinger-Kähler takes over the medical directorship in its fourth generation. Together with her husband they continue to uphold the legacy of her ancestors. The BUCHINGER-method, the so-called „silver bullet in the art of healing“, is further developed and aligned to modern needs and requirements. The mix of traditional and modern day elements continues to be the trademark of the Original Buchinger clinic in Bad Pyrmont.
