The Buchinger Programme

The Buchinger Programme incorporates the same important basic services for all guests alike and is therefore included in the price of each package and in the daily rates of individual bookings. Apart from comprehensive care from our nurses, this unique programme includes all the group activities – in the sports, cultural and educational realm – as well as the programmes offering spiritual themes and methods of relaxation. It will help you to acquire patterns of healthy behaviour, to practise them and integrate them into your everyday life upon your return home.

Therapeutic fasting diet

Buchinger’s therapeutic fasting therapy is based on the ability of the organism to temporarily live off its fat reserves and to dispense with solid food during that time. The Buchinger therapeutic fasting diet is minimal liquid sustenance which stimulates metabolism. It consists of vegetable soups freshly made dayly, freshly squeezed fruit juices and herbal teas from 100 % organic products; mineral water is available at your discretion. The fasting begins with a light vegetarian meal on the day of arrival, followed by a pre-cleansing day. At the end of the fasting period the nutrition is slowly built up again within four days – an indispensable process which will give you intensive pleasure and is decisive for sustaining the success of your stay. Those who are unable to fast or who choose not to do so can discover the creative, light Buchinger organic gourmet cuisine (at an extra charge), which will be individually matched to your nutritional requirements and/or dietary intolerances.

Integrative medicine

As part of our medical concept we attach great importance to prevention and to a sustainable healthier lifestyle. Our therapeutic approach is therefore based on healthy nutrition and fasting, physical activity and emotional balance. Integrative medicine combines scientific medicine – especially internal medicine – with natural medicine, complimentary medicine and psychosomatic medicine. An 24 hour medical service is available outside the doctor’s regular consulting hours.

Nursing Care

An aspect particularly appreciated by our longstanding guests is the healing atmosphere at Buchinger. This is created not least by the care and attention of the nursing team, giving you a sense of well being and security. In addition to the morning health check-up, the nursing includes the liver pack, the colon hygiene and the individual care required. At Buchinger you will be cared for 24 hours a day by the nursing team. Your staff nurse and your attending doctor will accompany you step by step through all the phases of your stay: This medical and nursing presence is a unique feature of Buchinger.

Dietetics

For sustainable healthy dietary habits – even beyond your stay at Buchinger – you will be informed by physicians, nutritionists and dietary chefs via presentations within a wide spectrum of therapies. In addition, they will demonstrate in our learning-by-doing kitchen how to prepare food at home in an imaginative, tasty and healthy manner.

Physical exercise and fitness

Our daily exercise programme offers a wide range to suit your mobility, fitness and preferences: From fitness gymnastics (at three levels of ability), through spinal gymnastics and back exercise or water gymnastics (in the summer) all the way to dance therapy. A traditional highlight in the programme are the daily walks (4 grades of difficulty) accompanied by experienced guides in the delightful countryside around Lake Constance. A heated open-air swimming pool, a tennis court and a fitness centre with a panoramic view of Lake Constance are also available to all our patients and guests throughout the year.

Rest and relaxation

Our guests appreciate the peaceful and restful atmosphere at Buchinger. This atmosphere is created by the inspiring landscape including the wide, open views across Lake Constance often as far as to the Swiss Alps. For stress management we also offer the opportunity to learn various methods of relaxation: Autogenic training and physical exercise such as Yoga or Tai Chi have a synergetic effect with fasting and – together with Zen-style meditation and the Feldenkrais method – they promote presence and awareness.

Health education

To carry the Buchinger success forward after your return to everyday life and to make a sustainable difference to your lifestyle, you will acquire countless skills and all kinds of practical knowledge during your stay. To this end, our health experts (doctors and psychotherapists, sports instructors, chefs and dietary specialists) will give presentations from selected questions and subject areas. The information contained in the presentation will be available in German, English and French.

Culture and creativity

You will discover hidden slumbering talents at our creative workshops (such as the annual summer art academy), or twice a week at the Buchinger studio with our art therapist’s guidance. This will provide the “spiritual nurturing” considered by Dr. Otto Buchinger to be so vital, particularly during fasting. Powerful inspiration will also be on offer with excursions to art exhibitions, classical live concerts, jazz evenings, readings by authors, or film soirees.

Spirituality

Fasting is enshrined in almost every religion. Buchinger therapeutic fasting also has a spiritual dimension which evolves as if of its own accord in the unique Buchinger atmosphere – sometimes by seeking one’s own company, repose and introspection and at other times by sharing experiences with others. Regular meditation and group programmes focusing on spiritual themes can enhance this aspect. At different times of the year, we present specialised thematic programmes, such as “Light in November”, “Fasting during Lent” or “Meditation – the way to the inner self”, in which the spiritual dimension and sacral music play an important role.

All these basic services in the Buchinger programme are complemented by your individual therapies and treatments. Your doctor will initially recommend the type and number of medical, diagnostic and therapeutic treatments. Our therapy planning specialists then implement these proposals by making your appointments and assists you in choosing from the further services available, e.g. massages, packs, respiratory therapy or cosmetic and coiffeur appointments.