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Learn the fundamentals of hot and cold stone massage and develop practical skills for incorporating stones into massage therapy sessions. This 15-hour continuing education course introduces massage therapists to the effects of heat and cold on the body, stone selection and preparation, temperature control, safety considerations, draping, body mechanics, and techniques for using stones during massage.
Whether you are new to stone massage or looking to expand your existing massage therapy services, this course provides detailed instruction on setting up equipment, managing stones during a session, and incorporating hot and cold stones into a professional massage routine. Online video demonstrations provide additional instruction in stone massage techniques.
In this course, you will learn:
The purpose and potential benefits of hot and cold stone massage
How heat and cold affect the body
Precautions, contraindications, and safety considerations
How to select appropriate stones and equipment
How to properly heat, cool, and maintain stone temperatures
Proper table setup, draping, and therapist body mechanics
How to position and manage stones during a massage
Techniques for incorporating hot and cold stones into a massage session
How to maintain an efficient flow when working with multiple stones
Practical stone massage techniques demonstrated through online video
Why take this course?
Hot and cold stone massage can expand the techniques and services a massage therapist offers while providing a different approach to working with the body. Proper temperature control, equipment setup, stone placement, and therapist positioning are essential for providing a safe and professional experience.
This comprehensive 15-hour course combines foundational information with practical instruction, including online video demonstrations of stone massage techniques. It is a useful option for massage therapists who want to add hot and cold stone massage to their skill set or develop greater confidence with stone-based techniques.
Explain the fundamental principles and effects of hot and cold stone massage.
Identify appropriate precautions, contraindications, and safety considerations.
Select appropriate stones and equipment for different stone massage applications.
Demonstrate an understanding of proper stone heating, cooling, and temperature control.
Describe appropriate table setup, draping, and therapist body mechanics.
Explain methods for positioning, handling, and managing stones during a massage session.
Apply hot and cold stone techniques within an appropriate massage routine.
Demonstrate an understanding of efficient stone management and professional treatment flow.
Text: Hot Stone Massage, A Three-Dimensional Approach by Leslie Bruder, 237 pages
The Art & Practice of Stone Massage instructional video with Meade Steadman, approx. 1 hour 45 minues
Course instruction guide
78-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 online massage continuing education 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 love how straight forward and interesting the pictures, descriptions and videos were!! I thought I was doing a decent hot stone massage until I took this course! I was wrong and it is amazing what I've learned. - Megan S. P.
I thought the course provided all the information I need to be competent in hot stone therapy and more! - Shayna Washington
I liked all the pictures of stone layouts in the book. - Jennifer Darci, LMT
Informative, fun and easy to do from home. - Tamara Schipper, LMT
The online DVD outlined a whole body routine. I would recommend this to other therapists interested in stone massage. - Jared Jesse, LMT
The photos used were great ways to understand the explanations of movements. I also enjoyed the authors kindness and light hearted nature. - Amy Callis, LMT
Wow! The manual is the BEST! Very informative! Thanks for making the process of ordering the course, obtaining the materials, and completing the test so user-friendly. - Cecilia Howley-Aussicker, LMT
All of the following are effects of heat on the body EXCEPT:
A. Vasodilatation and increased flow of blood
B. Increased blood pressure and cardiac activity
C. Decreased muscle pain and tension
D. Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system
What is the recommended height for the stone table when performing a stone massage?
A. Knee high when you are standing
B. Waist high when you are standing
C. Chest high when you are standing
D. The same height as your massage table
In the four pile system, approximately how many stones should remain in pile four?
A. 6-8
B. 3-5
C. 16-20
D. 12-16
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.
Meade Steadman, LMT
Meade Steadman is an instructor for the Myotherapy College of Utah and the Myotherapy Institute of Massage. In the classroom, he has taught Swedish, Sports, Acutherapy, Tai Chi, Hydrotherapy, Reflexology, Infant Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Contraindications, Chair Massage, Geriatric Massage, Specialized Spa Techniques, and Therapeutic Principles. He is also the featured expert in many award-winning instructional videos (produced by Aesthetic VideoSource) on various massage modalities.
Since 1996, he has owned and managed Tranquil Touch™ LLC in Salt Lake City, UT. He has been a guest lecturer at the University of Utah, and has published in A Massage Therapist’s Guide to Pathology (4th Edition) and Massage and BodyWork Magazine.
