What does the day-to-day work of classical masseurs / masseuses (certified) look like?

There are many different types of massage. The classic massage is used for relaxation and general stress relief as well as to alleviate tension and minor injuries to the musculoskeletal system. The Tibetan massage is a very relaxing and body-strengthening full-body massage that is performed with warm oil. It can be used to treat joint problems or back pain, for example. In acupuncture massage, certain acupuncture points and energy meridians are stimulated with so-called therapy sticks. The aim here is to balance the energies in the meridian system. Reflexology massages are various forms of manual therapy in which the function of internal organs is influenced by massaging certain reflex zones.

Every treatment begins with a consultation to find out about the complaints and the current life situation. The masseur/masseuse will then get an idea of the posture, tensions and conspicuous features and form an idea of the possible causes and sensible treatment approaches. The massage treatment takes place in a lying position and the client may or may not be clothed, depending on the method. At the end of the treatment, a rest period is often prescribed during which the processes in the body can round off and settle.

Target group and skills: Who is the classic massage training course suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The classical massage training course with a "school certificate" is aimed at the following target group:

• People who are interested in massage
• Professionals from the health and wellness sector
• Career changers who would like to switch to the healthcare sector
• Alternative practitioners and physiotherapists who want to expand their methods

The following qualities are required for a successful career as a classical masseur/classical masseuse:

• Healthy, strong and dexterous hands
• No fear of contact
• Sense of hygiene, cleanliness and order
• Interest in medical issues
• Empathy and sensitivity
• Sense of responsibility and discretion
• Good manners, tolerance, sociability and helpfulness
• If you have your own practice: economic skills to run your own business

Prerequisites for admission to the classical massage training course:

In principle, classic massage training courses leading to a "school certificate" are open to all interested persons. No specific previous training or professional experience is required.

Some schools require a completed basic vocational training (apprenticeship), Matura or similar training, a minimum age of 18 years and good written and spoken German (at least level B2).

Good to know about possible recognition:

As there are no protected professional designations or titles, it is important to provide appropriate proof of your own seriousness and professional competence. This is usually done by registering with the ASCA and/or the EMR and/or by becoming a member of an association.

• Admission to the Swiss Association of Professional Massage Therapists (SVBM / FSMP) can already take place via the school's own certificate / diploma in classical massage. Details can be foundhere.
• For inclusion in the ASCA (Swiss Foundation for Complementary Medicine) and/or EMR (Empirical Medicine Register) register, at least 150 hours of conventional medical basic knowledge (also known as "Tronc Commun") are required.

Input: Why is registration in the ASCA and/or EMR registry important?

Both the ASCA and the EMR are quality labels for activities in complementary medicine. They both maintain a so-called list of methods, which specifies how many hours of basic medical training and specialist training (method) must be completed in order to be registered with the ASCA and/or EMR.

Many health insurance companies are based on the ASCA and EMR. This means that therapists who are registered with the ASCA and/or EMR can often work in a way that is recognized by health insurance companies. But beware! This is not always the case.

More and more health insurance companies are demanding an industry certificate or a federal diploma from professional organizations (OdA AM, OdA KT, OdA MM, ODA ARTECURA, Swiss Association of Osteopaths FSO-SVO) in order to be able to work in a way that is recognized by health insurance companies. This will continue to increase in the future.

Subject matter and content of the training

The subject matter of classical massage training courses is compiled independently by the respective schools. There may therefore be differences.

The following topics are often covered:

• Basics of classic massage
• Anatomy and physiology (e.g. muscle theory, skin structure and skin functions)
• Effect and purpose of the massage
• Treatment structure (anamnesis, diagnostics, communication)
• Positioning of clients (supine and prone position) and treatment environment
• Massage techniques (grip types, massage products, etc.)
• Indicators and counter-indicators

Note: Courses that also include the "Medical Basics" (as a prerequisite for admission to the ASCA and/or EMR register) usually deal with these in a separate module.

Tip: In the yes-answer you will receive suitable help on the question: How do I find the right school and course?

Costs and financing of further training

The schools decide independently on the costs of their classical massage training. They can therefore vary.

You can expect the following costs for a part-time specialist course lasting between 5 and 12 months:

• Course feesBetween CHF 4050.- and CHF 7636.-, as a rule this also includes theExamination feeincluded.

Note: There are courses lasting a few days (approx. 1 - 14 days) that cost between CHF 325 and CHF 1050. Caution is advised with such offers if your aim is to register with the ASCA and/or the EMR. You may not be able to complete the required 150 hours of specialist training.

• Some providers requireExtra costsfor
  • Teaching aids
  • Training documents

Please contact the provider of your choice directly for information on possible extra costs.

Course structure, duration of study, training options, teaching format and learning effort

• Classical massage training is generally designed to be part-time and has a modular structure. This means that each module is taken and completed individually. This makes it possible to progress at your own pace and according to your own abilities.
• The duration of specialist courses in the field of classical massage varies greatly and depends on the provider, course offered and level: As a rule, courses last between five and twelve months. As already mentioned, there are also courses lasting just a few days. In this case, however, it must be assumed that the required number of 150 hours for specialist training for ASCA or EMR registration is not given.
• The schools compile their timetables independently. There may therefore be differences in when the lessons take place. Some courses offer lessons two days a week and on selected Saturdays. Others only offer lessons one day a week. Still others also offer intensive variants, where the lessons are held half-day from Monday to Friday.
• Classical massage training generally takes place in face-to-face classes. Depending on the situation, theory lessons can be offered in an online format (e.g. online lessons or hybrid lessons).
• You should allow sufficient time to prepare for and follow up on the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your previous knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.

Degree, diploma and title

As already mentioned, most classical massage training courses are modular in design. Participants who have successfully completed each module are admitted to the final examination.

As a rule, the final examination consists of a theoretical and a practical part. In the practical part, a classic massage treatment must be performed on a customer in front of the experts.

Diploma and title

Successful graduates receive a certificate / diploma from the respective school: "Classical Massage Therapist [name of the school]" or "Certified Classical Massage Therapist [name of the school]".