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Emergency: 144

Etiopathy

Etiopathy is a manual treatment method found mainly in France and French-speaking Switzerland. The etiopath uses their hands to look for the mechanical cause of complaints and treats it with targeted techniques on the joints, spine, muscles and abdomen. It is related to osteopathy and chiropractic but sees itself as a method in its own right.

therapists
2
session length
30–45 min

Therascout does not diagnose. Have new, severe or persistent complaints checked by a doctor first. Emergency: 144

Origin and approach

Etiopathy was founded in France in the 1960s by Christian Trédaniel; the name comes from the Greek word for cause. The idea is that many complaints have a mechanical cause that can be found with detailed knowledge of anatomy and body functions and corrected by hand. There are hardly any scientific studies on etiopathy; an effect has not been shown.

What a session is like

Length: 30–45 min
  1. At the start, the etiopath asks in detail about your complaints, past accidents and operations, and your daily life.
  2. You are examined by hand, standing, sitting or lying down.
  3. Treatment consists of targeted techniques, sometimes including short, quick thrusts on joints, which may produce a cracking sound.
  4. Finally, you discuss whether another session makes sense; often only a few are needed.

Etiopathy: what is it used for?

  • Back pain and acute low back pain.
  • Neck pain.
  • Headaches.

For these uses etiopathy relies on experience; studies are lacking.

How well is the effect supported?

Complaints for which this method is commonly used, sorted by the state of research. The rating shows how well the effect is supported, not whether it will help you.

What do the dots mean?
Established
recommended in guidelines, well studied
Some evidence
effect shown in studies, with limitations
Limited evidence
few or weak studies
Traditional use
used, but hardly studied

The rating covers the research, not the therapist.

Therapists: Etiopathy

  • Patrick Suter

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    Etiopathie Suter

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    • 4.8(5)
    • Winterthur
    • Languages: de · en
    EtiopathyMedical massageManual lymphatic drainage
    EMRASCA
    Price
    CHF 63–135
    Next appointment
    Available Wed, 14 Oct

  • Lea Baumann

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    Etiopathie Baumann

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    • 5.0(2)
    • Zug
    • Languages: de · fr · sq
    EtiopathyClassical massage
    EMRASCA
    Price
    CHF 63–135

Costs and health insurance

Basic insurance
usually not.
Supplementary insurance
often 50–80% with EMR- or ASCA-recognised therapists, often up to an annual maximum.
Your insurer
Each profile shows which insurers recognise the therapist.
Price per session
Practices set their own prices; you can see them in each profile.
Recognitions explained →

Good to know

  • Often only 1 to 3 sessions are needed.
  • Quick thrusts are not suitable with osteoporosis, inflammation, tumours or recent injuries; on the neck they carry a very rare risk of injuring blood vessels.
  • Have complaints with numbness, paralysis or fever, or after an accident, checked by a doctor first; etiopathy does not replace medical treatment.

Training and recognition in Switzerland

Etiopaths complete several years of full-time training at private schools; in Switzerland the title is not regulated at federal level, and depending on the canton a licence to practise is required. Basic insurance does not pay for etiopathy; some supplementary insurers contribute, usually only with EMR or ASCA registration.

Related methods