Acupuncture massage, which was developed by the German bath attendant and masseur Wilhelm Penzel on the basis of Far Eastern healing methods, has been used in the Western world since the 1950s and 1960s. It is still taught and used today as APM, acupuncture massage according to Penzel. This method was further developed in later years by Klaus Radloff, who also developed the ear reflex zone control, ORK for short. Radloff's acupoint massage is also known as energetic-static treatment, ESB/APM, and, like Penzel's method, is based on a holistic view of the human being within yin and yang. Qi, the basis of all life, is created by the opposing forces of Yin and Yan, which alternate and complement each other. This life energy flows through the body as meridians, the energy pathways, as long as yin and yang are in harmony. As soon as these are out of balance, the flow of energy, the Qi, is disrupted and blockages occur, which can lead to illnesses and deficiency symptoms if prolonged. These blockages within the meridians can be treated with a targeted acupuncture massage, resulting in an undisturbed flow of vital energy.

During an acupuncture massage, a massage stick with a rounded tip is used to specifically stimulate acupuncture points within the meridians, the energy channels, and thus release blockages. This is done in a painless way; patients only feel a pressure during the acupuncture massage, which is only described as unpleasant in rare cases.

In principle, you only need health insurance recognition if you intend to set up a professional practice in the field of complementary medicine. This is not important for anyone who only wants to practise acupuncture massage in their free time. In order for you to be able to bill your sessions professionally via the supplementary health insurance schemes, it is necessary that your training has been carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the Empirical Medicine Register (EMR) or the Swiss Foundation for Complementary Medicine (ASCA) and that you are registered there. These associations stipulate a minimum number of hours for the individual methods as well as some of the content. However, in order to register with the EMR, for example, you must also have completed at least 150 hours of basic training in conventional medicine and at least 250 hours of therapy sessions after completing your training. Further information can be obtained directly from the EMR or ASCA, as well as from the relevant acupuncture massage schools and health insurance companies.

Depending on the educational institute where you start your training in acupuncture massage or acupuncture massage, the respective course models vary. In most cases, however, you can get to know this extremely exciting field of therapy in a beginner's course and then receive more in-depth training in advanced courses. Most schools also offer diploma courses, which are made up of individual modules and end with an examination. These diploma courses serve as an introduction to the professional practice of acupuncture massage.