Charles Å. Ersdal

ABOUT Charles Ersdal

Charles Å. Ersdal started his zone therapy practice in Kristiansand in the beginning of the 1970s, following years of study in Germany.

At the time, natural medicine was a small community with few therapists. As a consequence, there was great demand for his services.

Charles Ersdal quickly became a familiar name. The practice grew rapidly, as did his reputation as a highly skilled practitioner.

Over time, he acquired vast experience in treating various forms of imbalances, which was how he characterized illness and disease. Later, he would use his years of experience and research to develop a comprehensive and detailed curriculum within zone therapy.

This is now known internationally as the Ersdal method. His material is currently being used by many schools, both domestic and international.

Charles Ersdal also became a key person in the creation and development of the alternative medical community in Norway in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. He was involved in all aspects and is regarded as having a significant impact on the development and growth of alternative medicine in Norway.  He was also one of the key figures in the formation of one of the first Norwegian associations for natural medicine. The association was named Collegium Medicum Norway.

Charles Ersdal served as president for many years. The association has now merged with NNH, a merger of several associations for practitioners of natural medicine.

Charles was born on Bakke in the municipality of Flekkefjord, in 1939. He was the second oldest of seven children. His father was a construction worker, while his mother took care of the small farmstead.

After finishing school at age 15, Charles left his childhood home. He started an apprenticeship at the shipyard in Kristiansand, while continuing his studies. He enjoyed his time as an apprentice.

He quickly rose in the ranks. His great interest in engineering made him decide to pursue technical drawing. As his expertise grew, so did his professional network. Soon, various job offers led him to Stockholm, Sweden.

In Stockholm, Charles started his first engineering company. The orders started coming in, and the company expanded. He remained in Stockholm for many years. Soon, he started to become homesick, and with new plans, he decided to return to Kristiansand.

He saw great opportunities in Norway due to his detailed knowledge, broad business experience and great work capacity.  In 1963, he started his first Norwegian company. Within few years, the company grew quickly, and soon had several employees.

The company primarily delivered services to the engineering and shipbuilding sectors. The company also delivered expert services within welding. Charles headed the company himself. At the time, there was great activity and demand for the services in the Nordic countries.

Managing the company, combined with meetings across Norway, put great pressure on him. Suddenly, and unexpectedly, Charles Ersdal suffered a major stroke, changing his life completely. During this period, Charles Ersdal by chance came into contact with natural medicine. Slowly, but surely, he regained his health.

This completely changed his views on a continued professional career. He decided to embark on a lengthy and non-traditional natural medicine education in Germany. There he studied anatomy, physiology, pathology, chiropractic, homoeopathy, phytotherapy, acupuncture, ear acupuncture, and zone therapy at the European College of Natural Medicine (ECNM).

After years of study in Germany, in 1970`s, he started his zone therapy practice in Kristiansand. In the mid 1980’s he opened one of the first alternative medicine clinics in Kristiansand, Norway.  It was called The Center for Alternative Medicine with a total of 7 therapists.   At this time, natural medicine was relatively unknown with few therapists.  As a consequence, there was a great demand for his services.

Charles Ersdal quickly became a familiar name. The practice grew rapidly as did his reputation as a highly skilled practitioner.

Both his son, Robert, and his daughter in law, Tonje Ersdal, worked at the
clinic.  They soon became key professional supporters of Charles along with Terje Varpe. Over time, Charles Ersdal acquired vast experience in treating illness and disease.  Later he would use his years of experience and research to develop a comprehensive and detailed curriculum within Ersdal zone therapy.

This curriculum is now known internationally as the Ersdal zone therapy method E.Z.T.  His material is currently being used by many schools, both domestic and internationally and now in the U.S.A.

Through more than 25 years of research, Charles meticulously mapped the zone system of the feet.  He discovered vastly more than was ever known about zone therapy and how it is believed to work. He has established zone therapy from a form of therapy with “little detail” to the “entirety” system his students know today.   In addition to the vast educational materials he produced, Ersdal also developed a book on specific and accurate treatment techniques within zone therapy. This is called “The Complete Treatment System.”

Charles Ersdal traveled to the U.S.A. about a dozen times during the years 1989-1995.  He taught in two different areas in the United States.  One area of the U.S.A. where he taught was in the greater Yellowstone region of south western Montana and later he taught in Utah. The other part of the U.S.A. where he taught was in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Many domestic and international therapists have continued their training within zone therapy at Center for Alternativ Medicine. They remember Charles as a passionate and charismatic speaker. Through 25 years of research, meticulously mapping the zone system of the foot, Charles Ersdal redefined zone therapy from a form of therapy with “little detail” to the therapy we know today. This is what is now known as the Ersdal method.

In addition to the vast educational materials, Charles Ersdal also developed a book on specific and accurate treatment techniques within zone therapy, ”The complete treatment system”.

Due to his work and successes Charles Ersdal was a much sought-after speaker.  He spoke on a regular basis at the European College of Natural Medicine, Naturheilschule Skandinavia, and later he was a guest speaker at several international institutes in Sweden, Finland, Estonia, the Soviet Union, Mexico, Canada and the U.S.A.

The Ersdal method is now known in a number of countries outside of Norway and the Nordic countries. Charles Ersdal is recognized as a great authority within the field.

Robert Ersdal