To become a reflexology therapist, one must complete an accredited course and obtain certification. Some countries and US states have abandoned certification processes, while others have strict licensing requirements. Europe has given more validation to reflexology as a legitimate method of treatment. Certification can be obtained through various organizations, and reflexologists can either join an existing practice or start their own.
Anyone wishing to become a reflexology therapist must first find an accredited course on the subject. While many massage therapy schools offer brief chapters on pressure point massage and reflexology basics, only a few offer specialized degrees to allow a student to become a reflexology therapist. After completing all studies and certifications, a pressure point massage therapist can become a reflexology therapist in one of two ways: they can get a job with an employer, or they can become sole proprietors of their own practice.
Reflexology has attracted its share of supporters and critics alike. Its followers believe that the art of pressure point massage can be very therapeutic and even offer a panacea for a number of ailments. Critics argue that this form of alternative medicine is not grounded or studied in any legitimate science, and therefore, reflexologists cannot be valid health care providers. It is for this last reason that some countries and US states have abandoned any process for certifying reflexologists; it is for the first reason that others have imposed strict licensing requirements.
Only a very limited number of American schools offer at least a two-year degree in reflexology. Europe, however, has given more validation to reflexology as a legitimate method of treatment, especially since the formation of the Reflexology Network in Europe (RiEN) in the mid-1990s. As a result, the number of schools offering programs in reflexology has increased. . In Asia, where pressure point massage is an age-old practice, hundreds of schools and academies offer students the chance to become a reflexology therapist.
Regional and national bodies that require certification or licensing of reflexologists generally require at least 500 hours of schooling before applicants can take a licensing exam. These 500 hours are usually accomplished through a two-year program. In the United States, certification can be obtained through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) or the American Certification Board for Reflexology (ARCB). The ARCB prerequisites are less stringent than those of the NCBTMB, and therefore your certification may not be valid for licensure in some states. In the UK, certification can be done through the Association of Reflexologists (AoR) and in much of Europe through RiEn associates.
Once a student completes their training to become a reflexology therapist, they can either join an existing practice or start their own. Those who hire reflexologists include chiropractors and alternative or holistic medicine clinics. Establishing an independent practice can be complicated, with additional costs for licenses and additional insurance.
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