Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): training, providers, information, guide, self-test, FAQ

Frau wird mit einer Akupunktur am Rücken behandelt.
to providers
(9)
Infos, tips & tests Video stories
(1)

Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM: Healing with the ancient knowledge from China

Traditional Chinese medicine is a millennia-old science of the forces in the human body and their balance. All forms of treatment such as acupuncture, Tuina massage, cupping or herbal therapies are intended to release energetic blockages and allow energy to flow freely again. Since the examination regulations for federally certified naturopaths came into force, it has been possible to obtain a recognized qualification in Switzerland with training in Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM. The naturopath examination can be taken in four specializations, one of which is TCM. The other specializations are Ayurveda Medicine, Traditional European Medicine TEN and Classical Homeopathy. The training courses can be completed as a three-year full-time course or in four to five-year part-time courses. No previous medical training is required; this knowledge can be acquired in the course of the TCM training parallel to the specialist courses.

Are you looking for TCM training? - Here you will find suitable schools as well as further information, tips and resources for further training.

Would you like personal advice on the training courses on offer? Contact the provider of your choice via the "Free information on the topic..." button - without obligation, quickly and easily.

Self-test "TCM therapist (certified)": Is this course the right one for me?

Download checklists

Checklist «Finding the right further training» » download here

Checklist «Choosing the right school» » download here

TCM: Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM for short, consists of various traditional healing and treatment methods from China that have been used for thousands of years.

Various methods are used in TCM traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture (by pricking) or moxibustion (heating the acupuncture points) are used to restore the flow of the more than 900 points on the meridians and nerve pathways. Massage techniques such as Shiatsu and movement exercises from Qigong or Tai Chi support the healing treatments.

Certain medicinal herbs are taken preventively or applied as compresses in the event of illness. Dietetics in TCM involves a change in diet to fresh products and a special composition of meals. Traditional Chinese Medicine is a holistic therapy that unites body, soul and spirit and provides inner balance.

If you would like to train in this area, find out more on the education portal Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch. There you will find various providers of courses and seminars. You can also contact them directly and order information material.

Questions and answers

TCM medicine is based on a system of vital energies in the body (Qi), which circulate along the meridians and influence all bodily functions. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine has become one of the most important and popular alternative medicine methods in Switzerland. The high effectiveness of acupuncture has been proven by many studies. In addition, there are hardly any side effects.

Since 2015, the advanced professional examination (HFP) for naturopaths with a federal diploma has been approved. This further training can be completed in the fields of homeopathy, Ayurvedic medicine, Traditional European Naturopathy (TEN) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Admission to the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) for naturopaths with a federal diploma in TCM is open to anyone who has completed upper secondary school or an equivalent qualification. Diploma specializing in TCM are admitted to the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) if they have completed upper-secondary level or an equivalent qualification, are at least 25 years old, have at least two years of professional experience in the specialty with a workload of at least 50 percent in the last two years prior to registration or at least three years of professional experience with a workload of at least 30 percent in the last three years prior to registration for the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE), has no entry in the central criminal record that is incompatible with the activity as a naturopath, has submitted the case study correctly and received confirmation from the examination secretariat and also has all the necessary module qualifications or certificates of equivalence. certificates of equivalence.

To register TCM as method no. 185 with the EMR, 600 hours of specialist training and 600 hours of conventional medicine are required; for method no. 231 Naturopathy Traditional Chinese Medicine with the ASCA, 150 hours at level 1 (basic training), 1700 hours at level 2 (specialist training) and 300 hours at level 3 (special method) are required.

The TCM training requirements vary depending on the type of profession. There are three options:

  • Acupuncturist (professional specialization): completed basic training or secondary school leaving certificate
  • Doctor of Acupuncture - TCM (university profession): Master's degree from a university - Bachelor's degree required
  • Naturopath HFP (further education profession): Secondary level II qualification or equivalent and at least 2 years of professional experience and required module qualifications or certificates of equivalence and minimum age of 25 years at the time of the examination

TCM coaching can counteract stress, crises, a guilty conscience, external control or excessive demands. With coaching and holistic health promotion, you become aware of your wishes and goals again, increase mindfulness and mobilize mental strength. The aim is to take control of your own life again and achieve your goals.

TCM training is, for example, Qi Gong training. Here, exercises combine meditation and concentration with specific movement sequences. This stimulates the flow of Qi and energizes the body and mind. This creates inner balance and restores harmony between body and mind.

Part of a TCM course can also be online. TCM training online is a good way to impart theoretical knowledge. However, it certainly makes sense for TCM to also have a practical part, which usually takes place at the school on site.

A TCM course imparts knowledge in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The following acupuncture courses are available:

  • Entry-level courses (without prior knowledge)
  • TCM further training
  • Chinese medicine training
  • Diploma study programs
  • Naturopath with federal diploma
  • TCM training
  • TCM Seminar
  • TCM Workshop

Within the continuing education, further training to become a naturopath TCM with a federal diploma, seven modules must be completed. These are basic medical training (M1), subject-specific training (M2), module M3 "Health and ethics", module M4 "Working as a therapist", module M5 "Running and managing a business", module M6, which comprises practical training, and M7 "Professional practice under mentorship". For a detailed module description, please contact the individual schools directly using the contact form.

Treatments based on TCM therapies are based on the knowledge that diseases manifest themselves inside the body and on the surface of the body. Traditional Chinese medicine makes use of this and by influencing the surface of the body, the inside of the body is affected. This directly treats the causes and not just the symptoms. The five TCM therapies are

  • Acupuncture
  • Chinese medicinal therapy (herbs)
  • Dietetics
  • Tuina (massage therapy)
  • Qi Gong (movement therapy)

These methods support patients on the road to recovery.

TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine, includes various methods such as acupuncture, dietetics, Tuina, Qi Gong and Chinese medicines, moxibustion, Shiatsu and Taijiquan, as well as An-Mo / Tui-Na, electro-acupuncture, laser acupuncture, ear acupuncture, cupping, phytotherapy and Tai Chi. These therapeutic procedures, massage techniques, nutritional advice and movement exercises can also be learned individually after comprehensive basic training in traditional Chinese medicine and thus supplemented to form a group of methods.

There are different TCM degree programs at one university:

  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's program
  • Master+ program (elective year)
  • DSc study program (Doctor of Science)
  • PhD program (Philosophical Doctor)

The TCM training costs are approximately as follows:

  • TCM acupuncture course (cert.) of a few days/weeks between CHF 1'000 and CHF 5'000
  • Naturopath with a federal diploma in the field of TCM between CHF 35,000 and CHF 60,000 for five to eight years

Please enquire about current prices at the school offering the course of your choice.

In a TCM course you learn the following:

  • Basic medical training
  • Specialist training in acupuncture
  • Diagnosis
  • Consulting
  • Treatment
  • Health and ethics
  • Work as a therapist
  • Operations and management
  • Professional experience

Tips on the "Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM" course

Is naturopathy really my vocation?
» Self-test vocation for naturopathy
What can graduates do after completing the "Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM" course?
» Skills and competencies
Is the "Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM" course the right one for me?
» Self-test for the course
What are the advantages of the course?
» 10 advantages
Overview of the occupational field of health
» Health and medicine guide
What is required in the naturopath TCM job? How are the activities divided up?
» Information from job advertisements

Redaktionelle Leitung:

Stefan Schmidlin, Bildungsberatung, Content-Team Modula AG

Quellen

Website des Schweizerischen Sekretariats für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation SBFI , Website www.berufsberatung.ch (offizielles schweizerisches Informationsportal der Studien-, Berufs- und Laufbahnberatung) sowie Websites und anderweitige Informationen der Berufsverbände und Bildungsanbieter.

Erfahrungen, Bewertungen und Meinungen zur Ausbildung / Weiterbildung

Preview of the video «4 Schritte zur richtigen Weiterbildung»

Haven't found the right training or further education yet? Benefit from educational advice now!

Further training is not only important in order to maintain or increase professional attractiveness, investing in training or further training is still the most efficient way to increase the chances of a pay rise.

The Swiss education system offers a wide range of individual training and further education opportunities - depending on your personal level of education, professional experience and educational goals.

Choosing the right educational offer is not easy for many prospective students.

Which training and further education is the right one for my path?

Our education advisory team will guide you through the "education jungle", providing specific input and relevant background information to help you choose the right offer.

Your advantages:

You will receive

  • Suggestions for suitable courses, seminars or training programs based on the information you provide in the questionnaire
  • An overview of the different levels and types of education
  • Information about the Swiss education system

We offer our educational counseling in the following languages on request: French, Italian, English

Register now and concretize your training plans.

Immediately receive comprehensive course documents from schools and useful tips:

Filter by teaching method:
Address:
Unterer Graben 1
8400 Winterthur
Chiway Academy for Acupuncture and Asian Medicine
(5.2) Very good 9 9 Ratings (100% )
The Chiway Academy is the oldest school for acupuncture and Asian medicine in Switzerland. Dr. Hamid Montakab founded the school in 1986 in the spirit of the ancient medical tradition. The academy remains committed to this spirit, both in the study of classical texts and in the training of basic medical subjects.

The academy offers recognized training in the disciplines of acupuncture and Tuina therapy as well as Chinese medicinal therapy. The second pillar of the academy is continuing education, for which the academy invites top speakers and leading experts from all over the world.

Our strengths are the experienced and highly qualified team of lecturers, a family atmosphere with small classes and personal support.

Our Student Clinic is ideal for practical training and learning with patients.

The Chiway Therapy Center is also part of Chiway and offers graduate therapists interesting career opportunities.
Strengths: Chinese medicine - with joy and enthusiasm. We offer experienced and highly qualified instructors, small classes and thus personal support as well as our own therapy center with practice.
Region: Ostschweiz, Zürich
Sites: Winterthur
Next start date
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
ASCA
eduQua
EMR
OdA AM
Address:
Haldenstrasse 1
6340 Baar
Paramed - Academy for Naturopathy
The Academy for Naturopathy and the complementary medicine outpatient clinic for diagnostics and therapy in Baar have been united under the name Paramed for over 25 years.

The training courses offered by Paramed include HFP and diploma courses in Traditional European Naturopathy TEN, Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM and various courses in the field of veterinary medicine. The clear planning of our courses enables students to complete their training while working. All modules are led by highly qualified specialist lecturers. We are also happy to support you with financing issues. BY THE WAY: The internship is also right on our premises!

Paramed also offers specific specialist training courses in TEN and TCM for therapy or as an introduction to larger training courses. These meet the requirements of the EMR Register of Empirical Medicine, the ASCA Swiss Foundation for Complementary Medicine and the respective associations.
Strengths: High-level training / Exceptional training modules / Over 20 years of experience / Internship in own competence center as part of training / Parking spaces
Region: Zentralschweiz
Sites: Baar
Next start date
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
ASCA
eduQua
EMR
OdA AM
OdA KT
Address:
Schauenburgerstrasse 17
4052 Basel
TCM School Basel
The TCM School Basel specializes in training and further education in Chinese medicine. The training courses are pragmatic, versatile and practice-oriented. Only experienced full-time therapists teach there. Students benefit from a great deal of passion and commitment. The degree courses focus on skills that are relevant to practice.
Region: Basel
Sites: Basel
Address:

Eulerstrasse 55
4051 Basel
HWS Huber Widemann Schule, Medizin
We are committed to your future: with 1,000 students, the HWS Huber Widemann School is the number 1 in north-western Switzerland for training and further education in the fields of medicine, exercise and health and naturopathy. Our teaching staff come from the field and teach for the field. The HWS is known as a renowned private school and has an excellent reputation - for almost 150 years.

The HWS Huber Widemann School is divided into three departments:
- HWS Medicine
- HWS Movement and Health
- HWS Academy for Naturopathy
- HWS Medical Pharmacy
- HWS Vocational School

Get simple and convenient advice now!

Arrange an online consultation, give us a call or send us an e-mail. We look forward to hearing from you.
Region: Basel, Zürich
Sites: Basel, Zürich
Address:
Flughofstrasse 41
8152 Glattbrugg
Biomedica Zurich
We have been training adults in the field of alternative medicine on a part-time basis for over 40 years. In addition to teaching by highly qualified, experienced teachers, we also offer in-house internships (M6). Our students benefit from the comfort of treating patients under supervision during their studies.

As an accredited educational institute for the AFPE, we offer the study program Naturopathic Practitioner with Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education (Attention: English as Dipl. HF!) in the field of Complementary Therapy. The modular study programs give you the freedom to set your own pace.

Enjoy your studies - medical basics (M1), acupuncture, Tuina, Chinese medicines (M2) and in-depth continuing education, further training such as medical Qi Gong, Western medicines, psychosomatics - with us everything is under one roof. We look forward to seeing you!
Strengths: warm, friendly, attentive in our dealings - professional, loyal, great is our team - respectful, structured, enthusiastic - we are all that!
Region: Zürich
Sites: Glattbrugg
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
ASCA
Blended Learning
Bundesbeiträge
eduQua
EMR
Hybrid-Unterricht
OdA AM
OdA KT
Online-Unterricht
Address:
Schweizergasse 33
4054 Basel
Bio-Medica technical college
Bio-Medica Fachschule stands for living medicine. Our name is also our vision. We have clear ideas and are committed to meaningful and healthy medicine. Bio-Medica Basel wants to challenge, set an example and lead the way for professional complementary therapy (CT) and alternative medicine (AM).

We are competent in the following areas: Asian healing arts, selected forms of massage and Western conventional medicine. The dialog between complementary and conventional medicine is important to us. However, we are also open to selected, reputable energetic therapy methods (Open Therapy). Our aim is not to find the "absolute form of therapy", but rather to recognize and support what helps, alleviates and heals.

We want to train responsible therapists. Our students are prepared for their degree by being supervised by highly qualified lecturers and through goal-oriented assignments and learning assessments. Practical transfer is very important to us.
Strengths: Part-time / Modular educational pathways / No long-term training commitment / Start immediately / High quality
Region: Basel
Sites: Basel
Next start date
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
Akupressur
ASCA
Bundesbeiträge
eduQua
EMR
OdA AM
OdA KT
Address:
Scheibenstrasse 20
3014 Bern
SAKE Education Center AG
The SAKE Training Center is your qualified partner for the training of therapists in the field of Western and Eastern naturopathy. Students at the SAKE Education Center are trained competently, holistically and comprehensively with a great deal of passion and commitment.

Our offer: Naturopath with a federal diploma specializing in TCM and TEN according to the guidelines of the OdA AM. In the field of complementary therapists with a federal diploma in Tronc Commun and the reflexology method. Our training and qualifications are based on the guidelines of the OdA KT and the current requirements of the Canton of Berne, EMR, ASCA and TCM professional association. We are committed to high and verifiable quality.
Strengths: Training of therapists in the field of western and eastern naturopathy and reflexology. Our advice: personal and tailored to your needs. For over 30 years.
Region: Bern
Sites: Bern
Next start date
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
Bildungsberatung
ASCA
eduQua
EMR
OdA AM
OdA KT
Address:

Eulerstrasse 55
4051 Basel
HWS Huber Widemann Schule | Akademie für Naturheilkunde
We are committed to your future: with 1,000 students, the HWS Huber Widemann School is the number 1 in north-western Switzerland for training and further education in the fields of medicine, exercise and health and naturopathy. Our teaching staff come from the field and teach for the field. The HWS is known as a renowned private school and has an excellent reputation - for almost 150 years.

The HWS Huber Widemann School is divided into three departments:
- HWS Medicine
- HWS Movement and Health
- HWS Academy for Naturopathy

Get simple and convenient advice now!

Arrange an online consultation, give us a call or send us an e-mail. We look forward to hearing from you.
Region: Basel, Zürich
Sites: Basel, Zürich Altstetten
Next start date
Address:
Grünhaldenstrasse 6
8050 Zürich
Paracelsus School of Naturopathy
As an official training center with recognized diploma courses, we will introduce you to the fascinating professional world of naturopathy - regardless of whether you are already working in the medical field or are looking for a career change.
Strengths: Oldest accredited school for naturopathy ∙ Monthly entry ∙ Fair prices - part-time courses with modules and selectable learning times.
Region: Ostschweiz, Zürich
Sites: Kreuzlingen, Zürich
Next start date
Certifications, Memberships, Qualifications:
ASCA
Bundesbeiträge
EMR
OdA AM
eduQua
OdA KT
SGFB
SVNH
THPV
VFHN

Schulen mit zertifizierter Bildungsberatung