Experience in healthcare or therapy is not usually necessary to attend a foot reflexology course. However, enjoyment in dealing with people, open-mindedness, communication skills, no fear of contact and the desire to be able to help others are important for the profession of massage therapist.

Foot reflexology is an ancient healing art that requires a great deal of sensitivity and knowledge. Only those who have successfully completed a foot reflexology course are allowed to treat patients. This is because you first need to know the pressure points and massage technique when learning foot massage. In addition to the basics, a course can also provide you with the essential knowledge required for professional foot reflexology massage. Anyone who has completed a foot massage reflexology course receives a certificate. This certificate attests to the ability to work on people. Learning foot massage is about more than just massaging the feet. The course teaches you important theoretical knowledge about the feet and their importance for the whole body. Only when you have mastered the basics can you venture into massage techniques.

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.

The Medical Basics Course MG 2 is required for the foot reflexology training EMR Method No. 81. This course lasts 150 hours and provides comprehensive knowledge of the anatomy of the human organism. The knowledge acquired in this course is essential for qualified medical professionals in diagnostics, therapy and care. EMR registration is possible after completion of the entire course.

Each school offers different times for foot reflexology courses, so you are sure to find a suitable course that is offered on your preferred days and times of day. For the foot massage course, evening courses are offered as well as day courses, and weekend seminars and block courses can also be found at some schools.

The following skills can be acquired with a well-founded foot reflexology course:

• Recognize specific clinical pictures that can show up during foot reflexology massage
• Therapeutic skills including knowledge of different communication models for building trusting relationships with clients
• Specific patient counseling - taking a holistic view of the client's current life situation and planning and implementing treatment accordingly
• Be able to apply examination techniques, treatment techniques and positioning techniques
• Apply principles of action in a targeted manner
• Specific clinical and therapeutic decision-making skills
  • Assessment of findings and knowledge of interrelationships
  • Treatment planning
  • Treatment structure
  • Assessment of the mechanisms of action / progression parameters
  • Documentation
• carry out valuable work for the protection and benefit of the client through the professional treatment cycle

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

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"

Learning foot reflexology massage is based on a holistic view of the body. This is because all parts of the body are connected to each other via reflexology points. According to the art of healing, the foot is like a small map that reflects the body and its ailments. This is why targeted pressure massages of the foot reflexology points can resolve physical and mental complaints in the rest of the body. So if you want to learn foot reflexology massage, you should focus intensively on these pressure points. The same points are found on both feet - simply mapped in opposite directions.