Frequently Asked Questions

We bill according to the fee schedule for alternative practitioners (GeBüH).

Hender Chiropractic is a private practice. All treatments are considered private services. Costs are usually covered by private health insurance.  

For patients with statutory health insurance, alternative practitioner services such as chiropractic are not part of the standard benefits provided by statutory health insurance.  

In Germany, some health insurance companies cover the cost of our treatments, but you will need to check with your own health insurance company, we cannot contact them on your behalf. Please check with your health insurance company before booking an appointment. You do not need to present a health insurance card at your appointment.  

aboutchiro is open by appointment only, we do not have visiting hours.  

We have an online appointment booking system that allows you to book appointments yourself 24/7. Please note that we prefer not to take appointments by phone as we are an online clinic. We do have a clinic contact number, but please book through the online booking link if possible.  

We are of course also available for you by phone. Just leave a message and we will call you back. The easiest way to make an appointment is the online booking link.  

We are also happy to answer your questions via email. Feel free to write to us at info@aboutchiro.de

German and English.

Clear and concise communication is a top priority at aboutchiro.

At aboutchiro we can offer your appointment in German and English.

Initial treatment: (medical history, detailed consultation, initial physical and neurological examination & initial treatment) - 45 min - € 120

Aftercare: (discussion, re-examination and treatment) - 20–30 min - € 75

aboutchiro is by appointment only, we have no waiting time.

We have an online appointment booking system that allows you to book appointments yourself 24/7. Please note that we prefer not to take appointments by phone as we are an online clinic. We do have a clinic contact number, but please book through the online booking link if possible.

We are of course also available for you by phone. Just leave a message and we will call you back. The easiest way to make an appointment is to use the online booking link.

We are also happy to answer your questions via email. Feel free to write to us at info@aboutchiro.de

If you are undergoing chiropractic treatment for the first time, you should take it easy, although this is not always the case. What you should do after treatment will depend on your symptoms. Please discuss this with Mr. Hender at your appointment or contact us at the clinic.

Note that most patients report feeling good after treatment, but sometimes, not always, you may feel particularly tired, have sore muscles, and may feel that some of your symptoms are still lingering. These after-effects of treatment usually subside within 48 hours, and most patients report that their symptoms have improved significantly after this time period. Mr. Hender will explain how he thinks you should proceed after your appointment.

We understand that things come up, so please give us enough time in advance.

If you are unable to keep an appointment booked online, cancel it at least 24 hours in advance through the online booking system or notify us by email. Patients who do not keep an appointment or cancel less than 24 hours before the scheduled appointment will be charged 50% of the cost of the appointment. You will be required to sign a cancellation form at your first appointment.

At aboutchiro, please arrive at the clinic 10 minutes prior to your scheduled treatment appointment, 15 minutes is recommended for new patients. All new patients will need to fill out some paperwork so that Mr. Hender can understand your health history. So please come to the office early to fill out the forms. Please bring any previous MRIs, x-rays and/or reports to your appointment. It is recommended that you wear clothing that can move freely so that Mr. Hender can work easily.

There are many different definitions of chiropractic, depending on who you ask and where they trained. For us, chiropractic is a hands-on approach that supports the body’s natural ability to heal. Our work usually focuses on identifying dysfunction or “tender points” in the spine, and we often use spinal manipulations or “adjustments” to restore healthy motion and function in these spinal segments. Because each spinal segment is connected to different systems in the body, treating the spine can influence overall health in many ways.

We view the body as a complex, interconnected system, and this perspective guides how we diagnose and treat each person’s unique needs. Chiropractic education is strictly regulated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and involves five to seven years of university study. Chiropractors are highly trained in musculoskeletal medicine and can approach your health concerns with deep expertise. While spinal adjustments are a well-known part of chiropractic, they are not the only tool we use, nor are they appropriate for everyone. Our training also includes many other manual therapy techniques to help restore function and wellbeing.

Chiropractic care can help relieve pain, improve mobility, and address stiffness or dysfunction in the entire musculoskeletal system. At aboutchiro, we begin by using targeted manual therapy and then gradually introduce tailored exercises, empowering our patients to take an active role in their recovery and live life to the fullest.

Ein Bandscheibenvorfall entsteht, wenn das weiche innere Material einer Bandscheibe durch einen Riss in der äusseren Schicht austritt. Dies kann häufig plötzliche, stechende Schmerzen verursachen und manchmal auf einen nahegelegenen Nerv drücken.

Bandscheibendegeneration ist ein langsamerer Prozess, bei dem die Bandscheibe im Laufe der Zeit allmählich an Höhe, Flüssigkeit und Flexibilität verliert. Dies führt meist eher zu einem dumpferen, anhaltenden Schmerz.

Beide Beschwerden können schmerzhaft sein und beide sprechen gut auf eine strukturierte konservative Behandlung an, wobei der Behandlungsansatz jeweils individuell angepasst wird. Viele Menschen haben tatsächlich Elemente beider Beschwerden gleichzeitig.

Chiropractic is growing in popularity worldwide and is now an important part of healthcare in many countries. The profession has come a long way since the 1920s, when the first university course was introduced. Today, Doctor of Chiropractic programs are comprehensive, rigorous, and evidence-based, combining modern medicine with advanced manual therapy training to produce highly skilled practitioners. Depending on where you study, the qualification often includes a dual bachelor’s and/or master’s degree. Thanks to strict university standards, chiropractic has evolved into a respected healthcare path for people across the globe.

Most chiropractic degree programs involve at least five years of study, covering subjects such as human anatomy, physics, chemistry, biology, neuroscience, physiology, orthopedics, biomechanics, pharmacology, psychology, nutrition, and rehabilitation. As demand for chiropractic care continues to rise, so too does the depth and scope of chiropractic education.

In Germany, the profession is still developing, and there is currently no university program recognized and accredited by the World Health Organization (WHO). This means that many people in Germany who use the title “chiropraktiker” may not have completed a WHO-recognized chiropractic degree. As with any healthcare profession, your safety should always come first, so it’s important to ensure your chiropractor has an accredited, internationally recognized qualification.

It is important to know what the chiropractic profession is in Germany. The chiropractic profession in Germany should not be confused with the German "Chiropractor" or "Heilpraktiker". We can assure you that this type of practitioner can only be found in Germany. Unlike the five to seven year university degree that chiropractors must complete, this is simply not yet the standard in Germany.

As mentioned earlier, chiropractic is still in it's emerging stage in Germany and is not yet recognized as common health care for the majority of people living in Germany. Unfortunately, this means that the profession is not regulated, which allows individuals to work as a chiropractor would, just without the extensive chiropractic training that is common in the rest of the world. Chiropractors coming to Germany must therefore practice under the "Heilpraktikergesetz", the German professional title for healers, homeopaths and other alternative practitioners, although there is no officially regulated training for this professional title.            

Although chiropractors can vary widely around the world, the common thread is that all registered chiropractors must have at least a university degree that meets World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. In Germany, there is still no standard for those who call themselves "chiropractors".

Research suggests that many disc herniations do improve over time — the body has a natural process of reabsorbing disc material that is pressing on nerves. However, "healing on its own" rarely means doing nothing. Without structured support, the muscles around the spine weaken, movement patterns deteriorate, and the pain often becomes chronic rather than resolving. Structured conservative care — like the programme we offer — gives the body the best possible conditions to go through that natural recovery process, significantly faster and more completely than simply waiting.

This varies considerably depending on the severity of the herniation, which disc is affected, and — crucially — whether the person receives structured care or not. Without treatment, disc pain can persist for many months and in some cases becomes chronic. With structured conservative care, many patients begin to notice meaningful improvement within the first few weeks. Our programme runs over 6–8 weeks, which aligns with the timeframe most evidence suggests is needed for significant progress with a structured approach.

Yes — when delivered by qualified chiropractors who have assessed your specific situation, chiropractic care is considered safe and effective for disc herniation. At aboutchiro, we always review your MRI and full history before beginning any treatment. Not every technique is appropriate for every disc problem, and we adapt our approach accordingly. If we ever feel your situation requires a different type of care or specialist input, we will tell you honestly — we do not treat people we cannot help.

Online-Präventionskurse bieten eine ausgezeichnete Alternative zu Präsenz-Gesundheitskursen.Einer der größten Vorteile ist der bequeme Zugang: Es gibt keine festen Kursorte mehr, die besucht werden müssen. Außerdem muss man das Haus nicht verlassen, um sich zu bewegen und etwas für die Gesundheit zu tun. Das spart Zeit sowie Kosten für Anfahrt und Parkgebühren.Die Teilnahme an Präventionsmaßnahmen ist sogar im Urlaub möglich!

Prolonged sitting is one of the most common aggravating factors — it increases pressure on the discs significantly. Bending forward, lifting with a rounded back, sneezing, coughing, and certain twisting movements can also flare symptoms. Poor posture over time, weak core muscles, and high stress levels all contribute to keeping disc pain going. This is why our programme includes a posture analysis and the Rücken Reset home course — because what you do between appointments, and in daily life, matters just as much as the treatment itself.

Spinal decompression therapy is a gentle, non-invasive treatment delivered on a specialist flexion distraction table. The table moves in a controlled way that creates a gentle traction and flexion effect on the spine — reducing pressure within the affected disc, encouraging the retraction of herniated material, and improving the flow of nutrients to the disc. It is particularly well suited to disc herniation, degeneration, and sciatica. At aboutchiro, this treatment is available exclusively as part of the Disc Recovery Programme — it works best as one element of a coordinated treatment plan, not in isolation.

Both chiropractic care and physiotherapy have value — and they are not mutually exclusive. Physiotherapy tends to focus more on exercise rehabilitation and movement retraining. Chiropractic focuses on restoring spinal function, joint mobility, and nerve health through manual therapy. For disc herniation specifically, the combination of chiropractic adjustments and spinal decompression therapy targets the disc directly in a way that exercise-based physiotherapy alone cannot. Many patients come to us after physiotherapy that helped partially but did not fully resolve their symptoms — and find that the direct approach makes a significant difference.

Standard chiropractic treatment is generally not covered by German statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenkasse). However, the Rücken Reset online course included in our programme is ZPP-certified, which means your Krankenkasse will reimburse €99 of the programme cost after you submit your certificate of completion — reducing your effective out-of-pocket cost significantly. Some private health insurance plans (private Krankenversicherung) do cover chiropractic — we recommend checking your policy directly. We are happy to provide you with all the documentation you need to submit a claim.

Honestly — no, and we'd be concerned about anyone who promised you otherwise. Every disc problem is different, every body responds differently, and anyone offering guarantees in healthcare isn't being straight with you. What we can tell you is that we only offer this programme to people we genuinely believe it can help. If we don't think you're a good fit, we'll tell you at your first appointment — and we won't take your money. What most of our patients experience is a meaningful improvement in how they feel and how they move. But we'd rather you come in with realistic expectations and be pleasantly surprised than arrive with promises we can't keep.

Yes — and honestly, that's how most of our patients arrive. Physiotherapy is valuable but it doesn't always address the disc directly. The combination of chiropractic care, spinal decompression, and structured home support is a genuinely different approach. We'll tell you honestly at your first appointment whether we think this programme is the right fit for your situation.

After completing the Rücken Reset course, you'll receive a ZPP-certified certificate of completion. Simply submit this to your Krankenkasse — most statutory insurers process the refund quickly and without complications. We'll walk you through it.

Not at this stage — and that's intentional. The decompression therapy works best as part of a coordinated plan, not in isolation. It's one piece of a bigger picture, and pulling it out on its own wouldn't serve you as well.

Typically 6–8 weeks, spread around your schedule. We'll plan the timing together at your first appointment based on what works for your life — not just what works for ours.

No referral needed. Just book your initial consultation and we'll take it from there. If we feel your situation needs input from another specialist, we'll tell you that too — we're always honest about what we can and can't help with.

Absolutely — aboutchiro is an international practice and we see patients in both English and German every day. You'll never have to struggle through an appointment in a language that isn't yours.