Acupressure: training, courses, further training, course, provider overview

The following requirements are placed on acupressure training:

• Completed three-year basic vocational training or technical secondary school certificate or vocational, technical or high school diploma or equivalent qualification
• Empathy
• Enjoy working with different people, including touching, active communication and support
• Willingness to develop personally and professionally

The acupressure mat (needle mat) stimulates the pressure points of the body (acupressure points). This has a beneficial effect on the entire body and can help to alleviate various complaints such as headaches (acupressure headaches), back pain or sleep disorders. The pressure of the needles on the skin stimulates the body to produce endorphins (hormones that have a pain-relieving effect). An alternative aid is the acupressure pen, which is specially designed for massages and acupressure.

A complementary therapist in acupressure therapy practices the following activities after acupressure training:

• Apply manual pressure to the acupoints with your hands and fingers
• Optimize Qi flow in the energy channels
• Strengthening self-healing powers and resilience
• have a health-promoting, relaxing and invigorating effect on the physical and mental level
• Carry out an accompanying process-centered conversation as part of the acupressure therapy

Unlike acupuncture, acupressure does not use needles or other aids that penetrate the skin. With this treatment method, blockages and stagnation within the meridians are released through gentle touch at the precisely diagnosed point. Therapists in this specialist field have very fine senses, which they acquire and train during their extensive training, so that they can perceive and remove these blockages based on various diagnostic procedures, such as facial diagnostics, posture and pulse diagnostics. In addition to supportive touch, conversation is also used as a means of treatment in every therapy and patients are given the opportunity to communicate their fears and anxieties, perceive them and confront them under guidance. Acupressure is therefore more than just touching the body, but rather a holistic treatment method that unites body and mind.

An acupressure massage course is at least a 3-year part-time course (500 lessons). The qualification is either the school's own diploma or certificate or a qualification from an association, an organization or an industry label. In order to obtain the industry certificate in complementary therapy, an internship and a so-called "Tronc Commun" (natural science, social science, profession-specific basics) must be completed in addition to the training in the method. After subsequent professional practice with accompanying supervision, the Higher Professional Examination (HFP) in Complementary Therapy with a federal diploma can be taken.

Not every health insurance company recognizes every complementary medicine method, including acupressure. Nevertheless, it can be said that a large number of health insurance companies recognize practitioners who have professional training and meet the guidelines of the EMR (ErfahrungsMedizinisches Register) or the ASCA (Schweizerische Stiftung für Komplementärmedizin). This requires a minimum number of hours (EMR for EM 200 hours, SM 150 hours; ASCA level 1 150 hours, level 2 250 hours) as well as partially prescribed content. Further information can be found on the respective homepage, at the individual schools or health insurance companies.

Acupressure is an alternative medical treatment in which the Qi, the life energy of all living beings, is brought back into flow by releasing blockages and congestion within the tissues and meridians. This application from Chinese medicine can help with many different complaints, including

• Sleep problems
• Immune system disorders
• Pregnancy complaints
• Restrictions of the musculoskeletal system
• Depression
• Menstrual cramps
• Pain
• Hormone disorders
• Disorders of the lymphatic system
• Complaints within the organs and the central and autonomic nervous system
• Digestive problems
• Tinitus
• Migraine
• Joint diseases
• Asthma
• Skin diseases
• Spinal diseases
• Sinustis
• Allergies

An acupressure certificate course provides practical knowledge on the application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The exact content can vary depending on the training provider and type of course - from basic beginners' courses to in-depth continuing education, further training or diploma courses.

Typical contents of an acupressure course are:

• Introduction to the basics of TCM and its philosophical concepts
• Learning the five phases of change and their significance in energetic balance
• Knowledge of the 14 meridians and around 55 central acupoints
• Methods of energetic diagnosis, such as pulse, tongue or facial analysis
• Practical acupressure and Tuina massage techniques for the treatment of physical and emotional complaints
• Possible applications in prevention, health promotion and therapy
• In-depth modules or specializations depending on interests and career goals

Beginners' courses offer a solid introduction to the basic principles of acupressure and provide initial practical experience. Advanced courses and special modules are aimed at people with previous knowledge who wish to expand their skills or gain further qualifications. Diploma courses offer comprehensive, certified training with in-depth content.

As each school determines its own learning content, the specific scope and focus may vary. It is recommended that you clarify the desired content directly with the respective education provider.

Questions about the course content?
You can use our contact form to forward specific questions about the acupressure certificate course to the desired school - simply and directly.