Many are asking what is happening with Therapeutic Reflexology in 2023. In today’s post, we’ll consider the present situation.
Globally, the stimulation of the nerve endings (reflexes) on the feet is referred to as the profession of Reflexology, but in South Africa, Reflexology is differentiated from Therapeutic Reflexology. Understanding this difference means that we need to consider training and legislation.
South Africa offers one of the highest levels of training for Therapeutic Reflexology in the world, which is a two-year Diploma in Therapeutic Reflexology consisting of a total of 2400 hours of training according to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) weighing the qualification as an NQF Level 6 qualification. This is the highest in the world as most other countries offer shorter courses of about 300 hours or sometimes 600 hours. You can thus clearly see how the South African Qualification carries much more weight. The South African qualification does not only offer training in reflexology and therapeutic reflexology, but also offers training in modules like anatomy and physiology, pathology, and pathophysiology; subjects often not covered in other programmes.
With the Diploma in Therapeutic Reflexology, the qualified Therapeutic Reflexologist registers with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) to legally practice the profession in South Africa. It is illegal to practice Therapeutic Reflexology without AHPCSA registration, just like it is illegal to practice as a Medical Doctor without Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) registration. The AHPCSA is a statutory council that formally regulates the profession of Therapeutic Reflexology.
At present, only one educational institution offers recognised training in Therapeutic Reflexology, namely Potchefstroom Akademie (https://ahpcsa.co.za/education). There has been a change in training institutions in recent years due to proposed changes in legislation as the Minister of Health has already indicated that all forms of reflexology must be formally regulated by the AHPCSA which necessitated changes in the training provided and many training institutions were unable to make these changes. How all this will turn out, we’ll have to wait and see, but that is the last official communication we received about the matter when the AHPCSA indicated that they are busy opening a register to regulate reflexology in all its forms formally.
That leaves us at a point where there is only one recognised training institution in South Africa and the general public should take note of this to not be deceived by people that completed a short course somewhere and then call themselves reflexologists. Ultimately, each person deserves the best possible form of reflexology and in South Africa, that would be Therapeutic Reflexology as formally regulated by the AHPCSA.
With AHPCSA registration also comes the privilege to obtain a formal practice number from the same place where your Medical Doctors receive practice numbers, thus not only making medical aid reimbursement possible but clearly placing Therapeutic Reflexology as a formally recognised healthcare profession in South Africa as part of a multidisciplinary team. That is one of the main factors making Therapeutic Reflexology different than in many other countries because, in South Africa, it is a formally recognised healthcare therapy positioned within the South African Healthcare Industry.
As we are moving through 2023, you should become aware of the amazing therapy of Therapeutic Reflexology that is available to you and if you have never given this healthcare modality a chance to maintain your overall health and well-being, then maybe this is your year to give Therapeutic Reflexology a chance to assist you.
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Christo A. Scheepers, Ph.D.
Therapeutic Reflexologist
AHPCSA: A11945
Pr. No.: 1080000737453
Tel. 072-800 7243