Jonas Vasmer

Biography and Expertise of Jonas Vasmer

Jonas Vasmer represents a new generation of healthcare professionals expertly navigating the space between distinct medical cultures. His journey began with a profound immersion in Traditional Chinese Medicine, earning a full Bachelor of Medicine from the Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. This rigorous education, in fluent Chinese, gave him technical skills and a deep cultural understanding of one of the world’s oldest medical systems. His foundation is built on an authentic transmission of knowledge, a cornerstone of the WCTCIM’s “Knowledge Diversity” motto.

Upon returning to Germany, he dedicated his career to integrating TCM into a leading European medical institution. For over 15 years at The KEM, an academic teaching hospital of the University of Duisburg-Essen, Jonas Vasmer has been at the forefront of this movement. His work addresses the congress’s Thematic Axis, “Integration of TCIM into Health Systems,” by demonstrating a successful, sustainable model of collaboration. He provides patient care, contributes to research, and educates Western medical professionals, dismantling barriers and building bridges between healing philosophies.

A highlight of his expertise is co-developing RAVA – Regulative And Vitalizing Acupuncture. This ear acupuncture method is a product of extensive clinical experience, representing a modern innovation rooted in traditional principles. This work aligns with the Gujarat Declaration’s emphasis on science and evidence, showcasing how traditional practices can evolve to meet modern healthcare needs. His career is a powerful case study in the thoughtful and effective fusion of global health knowledge for the benefit of patients everywhere.

Professional Career

The professional trajectory of Jonas Vasmer is centered on his long-standing role at The KEM in Essen, Germany. His career is defined by the depth of his impact within this pioneering institution. Since 2008, he has been a key figure in the Department of Naturopathy and Integrative Medicine, where he has been instrumental in establishing TCM as a credible component of patient care. His work extends beyond the treatment room, encompassing scientific inquiry and academic instruction, essential for the growth of integrative medicine.

This integrated approach ensures clinical practice informs research questions, while research findings refine clinical protocols and educational content. This process of improvement has allowed Jonas Vasmer to contribute significantly to the evidence base for TCM in a Western context. His dual role as a clinician-researcher grounds scientific exploration in the practical realities of patient needs and therapeutic outcomes.

• TCM Specialist & Scientific Assistant: In this role, he manages a diverse caseload, applying TCM principles to treat conditions like chronic pain, stress-related disorders, and complex illnesses where conventional medicine may be limited. As a scientific assistant, he participates in the design, execution, and analysis of clinical studies to validate TCM interventions.
• Lecturer in TCM: As a lecturer at the University of Duisburg-Essen, he educates the next generation of medical students, physicians, and nurses on the theory, practice, and evidence behind TCM and CAM. This work is crucial for fostering understanding and acceptance of integrative approaches among healthcare professionals, supporting the “TCIM Education and Training” thematic axis of the congress.

Academic Qualifications

The academic foundation of Jonas Vasmer is exceptionally robust, reflecting a deep, long-term commitment to mastering Traditional Chinese Medicine in its country of origin. This immersive education provides an expertise and authenticity rare in the West, which is fundamental to his ability to translate this knowledge into different cultural and medical contexts.

His education represents a true “East meets West” journey, with a medical degree in China and qualifications in Germany. This dual competency enables Jonas Vasmer to communicate with professionals from both medical paradigms, which is essential for fostering genuine integration. His academic path serves as a model for global health education.

• Bachelor of Medicine (TCM), Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China: A five-year full medical qualification, equivalent in rigor to a Western degree, with a focus on TCM diagnostics, acupuncture, herbal medicine, Tuina massage, and dietary therapy, alongside foundational biomedical sciences.
• Studies in Chinese Language, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China: Achieving fluency in Chinese was a prerequisite for his medical studies, allowing him to learn from primary texts and engage directly with leading experts in the field without the filter of translation.
• Diploma in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, General Academy of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Berlin: This qualification demonstrates his commitment to aligning his expertise with German and European standards. It provided him with a systematic understanding of the regulatory, scientific, and clinical landscape of CAM within his home country, facilitating a smoother integration of his skills.

Research and Innovation: The RAVA Method

A central element of the professional contribution of Jonas Vasmer is his work in research and innovation, particularly the development of the RAVA method. RAVA, which stands for Regulative And Vitalizing Acupuncture, is a specialized ear acupuncture technique he co-developed with Dr. Thomas Rampp. This innovation stems directly from over a decade of clinical practice, where keen observation of patient responses led to the refinement of existing auriculotherapy protocols into a new, systematic approach. This process of practice-based evidence is critical for advancing TCIM in a way that is both grounded in tradition and responsive to modern clinical needs.

Auriculotherapy, or ear acupuncture, is a microsystem where the entire body is mapped onto the ear. By developing a specialized method like RAVA, Jonas Vasmer and his colleague have likely created a protocol that is more precise, replicable, and targeted for specific health outcomes. The name itself—Regulative And Vitalizing—suggests a focus on restoring homeostasis and enhancing the body’s intrinsic healing capacity, core principles of both TCM and naturopathic medicine. This work is a direct contribution to the evidence-based practice of TCIM, as it creates a standardized intervention that can be rigorously tested in clinical trials.

The development of RAVA is a powerful example of how ancient techniques can be evolved through modern scientific inquiry, a central theme of the 3rd WCTCIM and the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy. It demonstrates a commitment not just to preserving traditional knowledge but also to expanding and improving upon it. Consequently, this innovative work by Jonas Vasmer helps build the robust scientific foundation necessary for the broader acceptance and integration of acupuncture into global public health systems.

Advanced Training and Methodologies

Beyond his formal degrees, Jonas Vasmer shows a profound commitment to lifelong learning and mastering diverse therapeutic techniques. His continuous development shows that true integrative medicine requires a wide toolbox of methods to suit each patient’s needs. This dedication to expanding his skillset enhances his core TCM practice, positioning him at the intersection of multiple healing disciplines.

His advanced training spans traditional and modern manual therapies, reflecting an evidence-informed approach. By integrating insights from contemporary pain science and German naturopathic traditions with his Chinese medicine background, Jonas Vasmer exemplifies a truly holistic, patient-centered model of care. These additional qualifications are integral to his innovative clinical practice.

• Advanced Segment Acupuncture: This training under Dr. Wancura-Kampik focuses on an acupuncture model relating vertebral segments to internal organ function, blending channel theory with neurological concepts.
• Basic Neural-Therapy: A method widely used in German-speaking countries, neural therapy involves injecting local anesthetics into specific points to treat pain and illness by rebalancing the autonomic nervous system.
• Fascial Distortion Model (FDM): FDM is a modern anatomical model for treating musculoskeletal injuries by addressing specific fascial distortions. Integrating this with TCM provides a powerful combination for pain management.
• Mind-Body Medicine Summer School: This training with Dr. Paul and Prof. Dobos emphasizes the deep connection between mental and physical health, equipping him with tools like stress management and mindfulness to support patients’ well-being.

Connect with Jonas Vasmer

For more detailed information about the clinical work, research activities, and integrative medicine department where Jonas Vasmer practices, please refer to his official professional profile. This resource provides further context on his role within The KEM / Evangelische Kliniken Essen-Mitte and the services offered by one of Germany’s leading centers for naturopathy and integrative medicine.

Official Profile at The KEM, Essen: View Professional Profile