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Learn the fundamentals of chair massage and develop practical skills for providing effective and professional chair massage sessions. This 12-hour continuing education course introduces massage therapists to chair massage techniques, proper chair setup, body mechanics, client communication, treatment routines, contraindications, marketing, and business considerations.
Whether you are new to chair massage or looking to expand your existing massage therapy services, this course provides practical instruction for developing chair massage routines that can be adapted to different session lengths and settings. The course includes a textbook and instructional video demonstrating more than 50 chair massage techniques.
In this course, you will learn:
The fundamentals and benefits of chair massage
Proper chair setup and positioning
Body mechanics for safe and effective chair massage
More than 50 chair massage techniques
How to develop a complete chair massage routine
How to adapt routines for different session lengths
Contraindications and safety considerations
Client communication and professional considerations
Marketing strategies for promoting chair massage services
Business considerations for offering chair massage in different settings
Why take this course?
Chair massage can be a valuable addition to a massage therapist's professional services and can be offered in a variety of settings, including workplaces, events, wellness programs, and private practices. Learning how to properly set up, position clients, use effective body mechanics, and create efficient treatment routines can help massage therapists provide professional chair massage services with greater confidence.
Whether you want to add chair massage to your existing practice, offer services at events and businesses, or develop a new service option, this course provides practical techniques and information to help you build a strong foundation in chair massage.
Describe the fundamentals, benefits, and appropriate applications of chair massage.
Demonstrate proper chair setup and positioning for chair massage.
Explain body mechanics that support safe and effective chair massage.
Identify chair massage techniques that can be incorporated into treatment routines.
Describe how to develop and adapt chair massage routines for different session lengths.
Identify contraindications and safety considerations associated with chair massage.
Explain effective client communication and professional considerations.
Describe basic marketing and business strategies for offering chair massage services.
Text: Chair Massage by Patricia M. Holland and Sandra K. Anderson, 238 pages
Video: Mastering Chair Massage with Diana Haynes, approx. 95 minutes
Course instruction guide
84-question multiple choice final exam
Course evaluation
Certificate of Achievement upon completion
Unlimited phone support for course-related questions
The Center for Massage Therapy Continuing Education, LLC is an Approved Provider through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB); Approved Provider number 409296-00.
Our massage online CE courses are also accepted by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP), and most state boards.
For more information on individual state requirements and approvals, please visit our Approvals page and click on your state.
I liked the fact that the DVD and the textbook complimented each other and made it easy to understand. I felt like my client and I were in the same room with the instructor during the DVD session of the course. It was extremely helpful to see a variety of techniques being used. - Angela Hicks
Exceptional video!! Very good demos and explanations. - Nina Glendinning, LMT
I liked how easy the content was to follow and that an instructional DVD was included. This course provided me with some new ideas and techniques to add into my chair massage routine. - Shunta Hart, LMT
Gives a great foundation for getting started with chair massage. - Robert Raiford, LMT
The most common time length for a chair massage is:
A. 60 minutes
B. 5 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 45 minutes
Which of the following is an advantage of using a professionally manufactured massage chair for performing chair massage?
A. It provides the most comfort for the widest variety of people
B. It is the least expensive option for providing chair massage
C. It is lighter than a desktop massage support
D. There is nothing to transport from location to location
What does a basic sequence provide when performing chair massage?
A. A focus for practice and a tool to make the techniques and movements of chair massage automatic
B. A way for practitioners to evaluate and diagnose any conditions present when treating a client with chair massage
C. A focus for practice and a way for practitioners to only work on those areas which the client asks
D. A way for practitioners to stretch and warm up before performing a chair massage routine
Course Authors
About the Instructors
Corrine Rubida, BS, LMT
Corrine completed her massage therapy training at Gateway College of Massage Therapy in 1997 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration in 2012. She has been practicing and teaching massage therapy since 1997 and currently holds a massage therapy license in South Dakota. She is also a member of the ABMP. In 2002, Corrine founded the Center for Massage Therapy CE to make professional massage continuing education courses available both online and by mail. Since then, she has developed more than 100 home-study massage continuing education courses and has taught live courses for AMTA and the Gateway College of Massage Therapy.
Sean Riehl, CMT
Sean Riehl, CMT is the founder of Real Bodywork and a leading expert in massage therapy and bodywork education. A pioneer in clinical instruction, Sean began teaching massage in 1991, and has authored numerous textbooks and produced over 30 instructional videos used by massage schools and practitioners worldwide.
Beyond his clinical and educational work, Sean has been a driving force in the wellness industry’s growth. In 2022, he was a founding member of iFlex Stretch Studios, a premier assisted stretching franchise. Following the acquisition of iFlex by the founders of StretchLab in late 2024, Sean served as the Vice President of Training through 2025. In this role, he worked closely with the executive team to elevate training standards and curriculum for hundreds of practitioners before retiring from the position at the end of the year to focus on his educational legacy.
Sandra K. Anderson, BA, LMT, ABT
Most of Sandra's professional career has been as a bodywork practitioner and bodywork educator. After graduating with a BA in biology from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, she worked in various settings until she moved to Tucson and discovered massage therapy. She graduated from the Desert Institute of the Healing Arts in Tucson, Arizona (now Cortiva - Tucson) with certification in massage therapy, 1991; in shiatsu, 1999; and in Thai massage, 2002. During this time she also built her private practice, and taught at the Desert Institute. For twelve years she instructed students, primarily in the areas of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, shiatsu techniques, and supervised massage and shiatsu student clinics. She was chair of the anatomy and physiology department for five years, during which time she developed curriculum and teacher training courses. For five years she served as chair of the Examination Committee for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
