Der psychologische Engpass in der Rheumatologie

Abstract

A great number of so-called ‘rheumatic’ pains are of psychosomatic nature, generally known as ‘psychogenic rheumatism’ or ‘‘fibrositis’. The author prefers the nomenclature appropriate to localisation and species of pains. Therefore the following division is proposed: (1) Psychosomatic cervicalgia; it is to be taken as a sign of persistence with which a man saves his face in a difficult situation. (2) Psychosomatic dorsalgia; equivalent to sorrow and discouragement or a compensating upright compulsory attitude. (3) Psychosomatic lumbago; corresponding to psychical overstress or sexual frustration. (4) Psychosomatic brachialgia, especially Epicondylitis expressing a concealed aggression in the sense of a clenched fist on which increased chronic muscle tension stereotyped movements are grafted. The physician must know these psychosomatic facts and his therapy should be adapted accordingly. Besides a muscle relaxing physical and medical treatment a therapeutical dialogue is also indicated.