There are some very reputable institutes throughout Switzerland that will support and train you in learning foot reflexology. There are differences in content, which are mainly due to the duration of the seminar and the target group. In most cases, however, you will be trained in the following areas during foot reflexology training:

• History and mode of action of foot reflexology massage
• Anatomy of the foot
• Indicators and counter-indicators
• Health and diseases
• Reflex zones, causal zones, symptom zones and how to find them
• Learning foot reflexology: grip techniques and massage
• Massage procedure and disruptive factors
• Hygiene

There are many different types of courses that deal with reflexology and reflexology massage. You can attend short one-day or multi-day courses that train you in foot reflexology or ear reflexology, or you can attend a full course that will train you to become a professional reflexologist in over 300 hours. Such a certificate course ends with an examination, which is preceded by an internship and various modules. These modules include

• Foot reflexology
• Hand reflexology and mudra
• Ear reflexology and Chinese foot massage
• Refl. lymph drainage on the foot and deep relaxation massage
• Meridians
• Energetics in traditional Chinese medicine
• The 5-element theory
• Colon massage
• NLP
• Feng Shui
• Integrative Asian meridian massage

All of these modules take place on different days, usually in blocks, and are spread over approximately one and a half years. These modules can often also be booked individually by those who are not interested in such an extensive course.

If you want to gain experience in foot reflexology massage for home use, for friends, colleagues or the sports club, it doesn't matter whether your foot reflexology massage training is recognized by health insurance companies. They simply need foot reflexology instructions.

However, this can be an important criterion for all those who wish to work professionally as a foot reflexology therapist.

In order to be recognized by health insurance companies (via supplementary insurance), you should ask the Empirical Medicine Register (EMR) and/or ASCA before you start your training whether it complies with the method guidelines. There you will receive all further information and a detailed explanation of the criteria that you must fulfill in order to submit your application for registration after further training. These are

• 100 hours of specialized training
• 150 hours in "Medical basics"

Reflexology courses are usually offered for either foot reflexology or reflexology. Training in foot reflexology focuses exclusively on the zones of the foot, the individual reflex points, their corresponding body parts and organs and the correct method of application. In reflexology training, not only the feet are treated, but also other reflex zones such as the hand reflex, body reflex, ear reflex or cranial reflex. However, it is also possible for some seminar providers to concentrate exclusively on a special area of body therapy, such as ear reflexology. Please enquire about this directly with the respective provider.

Anyone who has trained in foot reflexology has the following prospects:

• Provided 150 hours of "medical basics" have been completed: ASCA and/or EMR registration and then the possibility to work recognized by health insurance companies (via supplementary insurance)
• Can perform a complete foot reflexology massage including grip techniques
• Can define indication, contraindication and reaction in this form of therapy
• Can manage a massage practice independently
• Treat patients in employment in a massage practice, health center, etc.

After a comprehensive foot reflexology course, this form of therapy can be carried out competently and comprehensively to help other people.

Basic training in foot reflexology usually begins with theoretical knowledge about the location of reflex points and the corresponding organs. They learn about and apply a wide variety of grip and pressure techniques, identify indicators and counter-indicators and can then perform a foot massage. In a subsequent course or in complete training courses, you will also learn how to localize and treat them, learn about and treat different clinical pictures and complaints, take a medical history and carry out a palpation and visual assessment. It is best to ask the individual providers for a list of the learning objectives and course content.