Self-test: Is a "Foot Reflexology (Cert.)" course the right one for me?
Take our self-test to find out whether a job in foot reflexology meets your expectations and whether you are on the right track with the appropriate specialist training leading to a "school certificate".
What does everyday working life in foot reflexology look like?
During the introductory consultation and an initial massage, the certified foot reflexology therapist will gain an overview of the client's situation and wishes. Any minor complaints are also recorded. He/she checks for possible contraindications or risks and then determines together with the client which treatment goals are to be pursued.
During the actual treatments, the foot reflexology therapist (certified) works on the key points and reflex zones on the foot using special grip and pressure techniques to stimulate or calm the body's organs as desired. The aim is always to stimulate the self-healing powers of the body and the soul. During the massage, the therapist observes any reactions that occur and adapts the treatment accordingly.
The number, duration and intervals between treatments can be adjusted according to the course of therapy. A series of treatments is concluded with a final consultation and the therapist completes the treatment documentation and issues an invoice.
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as a specialist in foot reflexology?
Great! If you like the most important tasks of a foot reflexology therapist (certified), then you are basically right for a job in the field of foot reflexology. Then the next question is whether this training is right for you.
If you don't like all the activities, think in detail about what exactly you would and wouldn't like about them.
Then look in related fields to see if you can find something that better suits your interests. For example:
If you don't like the activities, take a look at the numerous other further training opportunities within the healthcare sector. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection.
Are you still looking for your vocation? Our guide "Finding your own calling" can help you with this.
Target group and skills: Who is the foot reflexology training course suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
The foot reflexology training course with the school's own certificate is aimed at the following target group:
- People who are looking for a first insight into this area and want to treat people without major foot complaints
- People with training in the healthcare sector who would like to acquire additional skills for massaging feet that are basically free of pain
- People who would like to set up their own practice in this field (please note: the requirements for self-employment may vary from canton to canton!)
In order to work successfully as a foot reflexology therapist (certified), the following skills and personal characteristics are desirable:
- Sense of hygiene, cleanliness and order
- Craftsmanship
- Enjoy dealing with people
- Empathy
- Sensitivity and precision
- Good manners
- Service orientation
- Sufficient start-up capital to start your own business
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups for this training course and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
Great! To the next step in the self-test.
- Are you already self-employed and have in-depth knowledge of foot reflexology? Would you like to treat people with foot complaints therapeutically? Then you probably belong to the target group for the following qualifications:
- If you don't have the necessary personal qualities and skills, you won't be happy in this role. Look out for training opportunities that offer a technical specialization that better suits your skills.
- If you are unsure whether you are suited to such a job, it is best to discuss this with your line manager or career advisor. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
Prerequisites for admission to foot reflexology training:
Access to the courses for specialist training in foot reflexology with completion of the "school's own certificate" is usually free, i.e. no specific previous training or professional experience is required.
Possibilities for recognition of foot reflexology (cert.):
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 for Reflexology (SVRT) requires a completed basic vocational training as well as a well-founded completed training in reflexology (for example with the branch certificate OdA KT Reflexology Method). 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 (via supplementary insurance). 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.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
Great! Now for the next question...
- If you would like to become a member of the SVRT but you do not have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or equivalent basic vocational training, you still have the opportunity to catch up now. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in our guide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
- If you do not yet have the OdA KT industry certificate for the reflexology method, then find out morehere.
- If you lack the required basic medical hours to be placed on the ASCA and/or EMR registry, then make them up.Hereyou will find corresponding offers and suitable providers.
- If you would like to become a member of the SVRT but you do not have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or equivalent basic vocational training, you still have the opportunity to catch up now. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in our guide "The Swiss education system at a glance".
- If you do not yet have the OdA KT industry certificate for the reflexology method, then find out morehere.
- If you lack the required basic medical hours to be placed on the ASCA and/or EMR registry, then make them up.Hereyou will find corresponding offers and suitable providers.
Subject matter and content of the training
Schools that offer foot reflexology training leading to a "school certificate" compile their own course content. The course content can therefore vary from school to school.
The following topics are often addressed:
- Basic anatomy of the body
- Anatomy of the foot
- Vegetative nervous system
- History of foot reflexology
- Reflex zones of the foot
- Effects (indicators and counter-indicators)
- Different grip techniques
- Procedure of the foot reflexology massage (anamnesis, visual and tactile findings, etc.)
Tip: In the yes-answer you will receive suitable help on the question: How do I find the right school and course?
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire knowledge in these subject areas?
Great! You can look forward to exciting and instructive hours in which you will broaden your knowledge horizon and skills - aspects that are in demand on the job market and increase your career and salary opportunities.
Note: As already mentioned, schools with a foot reflexology training course leading to a "school certificate" determine the course content independently. It is therefore advisable to compare the courses on offer. You can find the following assistance on Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch:
- Evaluation tool with numerousEvaluations from former course participantsto various courses.
- Guide "How to choose the right training provider": Here you will find, among other things, a checklist with points that you can use to compare the schools with each other. You can download the guide here.
If you are only partially interested in the content of the foot reflexology training course, take a look at other training and further education courses in related areas. You may find a course that suits you better.
For example:
Obviously, the typical topics of foot reflexology training are not your thing. Take a look at other training courses instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Costs and financing of further training
The costs for foot reflexology training are determined independently by the schools. They therefore vary from school to school.
You can expect the following costs for a part-time specialist training course of around 1-14 days:
- Course feesBetween CHF 312.- and CHF 1'380.-, which usually also includes theExamination feeincluded.
(Basic courses, which also include the "medical basics" for ASCA and/or EMR registration, usually take longer and are correspondingly more expensive: between CHF 3,300 and CHF 7,100).
- Some providers requireExtra costsfor
- Teaching aids
- Training documents
Please contact the provider of your choice directly for information on possible extra costs.
Question 5:
Are you able to pay for the course?
Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the full amount in advance, ask the school of your choice whether they offer a special discount for full payment in advance.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also be able to support you with an educational loan.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourGuide "How to finance your further training properly".
Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
Course structure, duration of study, training options, teaching format and learning effort
- The foot reflexology training course is generally designed to be completed alongside work 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 foot reflexology varies greatly and depends on the provider and the course offered (introduction, basics, in-depth): As a rule, courses last around 1-14 days.
(Many basic courses include the "medical basics" for ASCA and/or EMR registration, they take correspondingly longer: approx. 1 year) - The timetables are compiled independently by the schools. They therefore vary from school to school. Lessons often take place on one or two weekdays per week or on two evenings per week. Depending on the school, they may also take place on selected Saturdays.
- The foot reflexology training generally takes place in face-to-face lessons. Theory lessons can be offered in online lessons or hybrid lessons, depending on the situation.
- Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of the course, you can apply and deepen the learning material in practice straight away. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style and learning speed. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study?
Great!
Tip for self-study: It often helps to organize yourself into study groups. It also makes sense to stick with it right from the start and schedule fixed study times. Good learning effects can be achieved by creating summaries and mind maps. Flashcard systems help with memorization. There are many tools and ideas to make learning easier. You can obtain the guide "The personal learning strategy" free of charge if you register with a school via Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
If you do not have that much time, contact the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the training over a longer period of time.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space for yourself elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your training?
Degree, diploma and title
As already mentioned, most foot reflexology training courses are modular. Those who have successfully completed each module can sit the final examination for the school's own certificate.
As a rule, the final examination consists of a theoretical and a practical part.
With some providers, however, a course attendance of at least 80% is sufficient to obtain the school's own certificate.
Diploma and title
Successful graduates receive a certificate / diploma from the respective school: "Foot reflexology therapist [name of school] (cert.)" or "certified foot reflexology therapist [name of school]".
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the foot reflexology course?
Great!
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are unsure, we recommend that you attend an information event on this course.
Arrange a personal consultation appointment with the school of your choice. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management about support options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams.
If you are not at all confident about passing the final exam but would like to complete the training, it is best to arrange a personal consultation appointment with a school. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school of your choice whether there are any support options for you.
Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training. You can find suitable offers here:
No, foot reflexology training is not for you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are so many other options for further training. One or the other will certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
The foot reflexology training is probably not the right further training goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
This is a half-hearted result: the foot reflexology training does not seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of the training that doesn't suit you or doesn't fit well in terms of organization?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Further training in foot reflexology is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the information events organized by the providers. There you can find out more about further education and discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
Linda, deine Weiterbildungsfinderin