Günther and Hildegard Wittlinger, along with their sons Dieter and Hans Georg, moved to Walchsee (Tirol) in 1966, where they bought the Alpenbad in the village named Walchsee. The place was already operating as a small therapeutic business at the time (thanks to the first indoor pool in the area of Kufstein) and was organized to treat the most various illnesses.
The Wittlinger Family brought the Manual Lymph Drainage, a massage technique developed by Dr. Vodder, to Tirol. They convinced the local physicians of the efficacy of their method by treating patients with conditions such as various injuries, osteoarthritis and venous problems, others.
It is mostly with the participation of
Dr. Ingrid Kurz that a therapy center for lymph drainage opened which in 1974 became the "Wittlinger Therapie Center for lymphedema patients"
Research findings in the field of lymphology, to which Günther Wittlinger actively took part, increased the treatment options offered at the Wittlinger Therapy Center. Such techniques as bandaging, skin care, and kinesitherapy were combined and added to the Manual Lymph Drainage according to Dr. Vodder to treat lymphedema originating from any condition. Traditional medicine defines this therapy as kombinierte physikalische Entstauungstherapie that is known in English under the name of Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT).
Major renovations of the Wittlinger Therapy Center took place in 1971, 1975, 1985, and 1995. In 1997, the actual administration was successful in concluding agreements with various health insurance companies, allowing the best possible stationary care for Austrian patients afflicted by lymphedema.
Today, the family business is under the management of Dieter Wittlinger and his family. Medical supervision is assured by Dr. Angela Shetty Lee, a certified dermatologist.
The Dr. Vodder Akademie (Dr. Vodder Academy), founded in 1972, is attached to the Wittlinger Therapy Center. It offers courses at different levels for physicians, physiotherapists, and massage therapists.