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 Universities - Bachelor degree required
• Naturopath AFPE (further training profession): Upper-secondary level qualification or equivalent and at least 2 years of professional experience and required module completions or certificates of equivalence and minimum age of 25 years by the time of the examination.

For more information, please contact the schools. Contact us now quickly, easily and without obligation using our contact form or use the "Ask a question" button to get in touch with the right contact person directly.

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.

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.

In-depth training in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with a focus on acupuncture covers various areas of knowledge and practice. The aim is to impart holistic skills for working in the healthcare sector. The following contents are typically part of a TCM training course:

• Medical basics: Introduction to anatomy, physiology and pathology from a Western and Chinese perspective.
• Acupuncture: Theory and practice of acupuncture points, meridians, needle techniques and treatment strategies.
• Diagnostic procedure: Pulse, tongue and questioning diagnosis according to the principles of TCM.
• Counseling skills: Conversation management and individual care within the framework of holistic therapy.
• Treatment methods: Application of TCM in the practice with a focus on acupuncture, supplemented by other therapy methods.
• Health and ethics: Examination of the understanding of health, ethical issues and professional ethics.
• Professional field of therapy: requirements, responsibilities and role as a TCM therapist in the healthcare sector.
• Practice management and management: basics of business management, legal framework, billing and organization.
• Practical experience: Supervision, case studies and internships to deepen knowledge in everyday working life.

Training in acupuncture offers comprehensive preparation for a responsible job in the field of complementary medicine. Whether you have previous medical knowledge or not, the training is often modular and enables a practical introduction.

As each school sets its own focus and training content, there may be deviations. The exact curriculum should be requested directly from the chosen training center. A contact form is available to check the content of a specific school. Simply select the desired school - the question will be forwarded automatically.

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.

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)

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.