Capital
Stockholm
Population
9,110,000
Area
449,964 km²
Estimated number of therapists
14,500
More country infoSweden
Popular therapiesAcupuncture, Swedish massage, Acupressure, Shiatsu, Naprapathy, Chiropractic, Cranial Osteopathy, Rosenmethod, Osteopathy, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Reflexology
Country factsThe most used body therapy is in Sweden Classical Swedish massage. During the last decades amma, shiatsu and Thai massage has been introduced and are growing. So have also more self-activating therapies as Qigong and Tai chi while e.g. reflexology and aromatherapy are less used than in many other European countries. The use of all forms of massage and other body therapies is increasing.
General regulation situationThe Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare maintains a registry of public health and medical personnel that includes allopathic doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, dental hygienists, physiotherapists, chiropractors and naprapaths.
Body therapist and CAM practitioners are not included in the Supervision of Health and Medical Personnel list of medical practitioners and may not be registered.
Although non-registered persons may treat patients, specific medical acts are restricted to allopathic physicians. The specific treatments reserved for physicians are outlined in law. Only a physician is allowed to act as a doctor in medicine; practise general or local anaesthesia; provide care with radiological methods; practise in an itinerant way; treat specific contagious diseases; treat cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, or pathological conditions associated with pregnancy or childbirth; treat a child who is younger than eight years old; the violation of these restrictions is an offence and may be prosecuted.
Non-allopathic practitioners who damage a person’s health by using inappropriate therapies may be charged with charlatanism constituting a danger to health. Practitioners found guilty of this charge are punishable under the penal law.
Licence to practiceThe Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare maintains a registry of public health and medical personnel that includes allopathic doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, dental hygienists, physiotherapists, chiropractors and naprapaths.
Body therapist and CAM practitioners are not included in the Supervision of Health and Medical Personnel list of medical practitioners and may not be registered.
Although non-registered persons may treat patients, specific medical acts are restricted to allopathic physicians. The specific treatments reserved for physicians are outlined in law. Only a physician is allowed to act as a doctor in medicine; practise general or local anaesthesia; provide care with radiological methods; practise in an itinerant way; treat specific contagious diseases; treat cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, or pathological conditions associated with pregnancy or childbirth; treat a child who is younger than eight years old; the violation of these restrictions is an offence and may be prosecuted.
Non-allopathic practitioners who damage a person’s health by using inappropriate therapies may be charged with charlatanism constituting a danger to health. Practitioners found guilty of this charge are punishable under the penal law.
Education and trainingMost body-based practitioners working in Sweden today have been educated at private institutions. The standards of education for classic masseurs ser by the Swedish Massage Advisory Council includes anatomy, physiology and a basic medicine course. Masseurs are educated at 15 major schools during at least about 20 weeks fulltime studies.
TaxesTherapies given by non-registered practioners is in Sweden taxed by full VAT (25%) but can be totally deductible for a company as a staff-health service.
StatisticsThere are (in Mars 2007) app. 6.500 masseurs certified as classical masseurs by the Swedish Massage Advisory Council. From official statistics it is known that there are app. 11.500 body therapist, other CAM practioners and other form of health-coaches registered.
Written byChrister Glauman
