Hot Stone Training

The demand of hot stone massage  is increasing greatly. It is an evident that many people have been looking for a hot stone massage for comfort and relaxation. Hot stone massage uses cold and warm flat stones that is placed on a certain part of a body. This practice is reportedly improving the blood circulation, relaxes tight muscles, reduces inflammation and improve the flow of energy in our body. The continues sprouting of spas, therapy clinics, wellness centers and others enable to open more job opportunity for a massage therapist. Thus the growth of schools that are offering Hot Stone Training are also flourishing.

Workshops and basic training in hot stone therapy are required to every massage therapist. This kind of program may require one or two days or approximately 18 hours of  learning and education. However, if you wanted to upgrade to more advance training, it may require up to 100 hours or more depending on the course taken.  A well-trained massage therapist can potentially make her/his way to earn and succeed in this growing industry. The common and basic courses offered to the beginners are:

The stones-this is to give you insight on what kind of stones is appropriate for use. Hot stone massage does not use just any kind of stone but has its own requirement for its therapeutic use.
Temperature control- this is to give you understanding on how hot the stone could be. The heated stone has to come to right temperature for health benefits.
Preparation and consultation – this is about how to set and prepare your hot stone massage clinic or place. Also it includes how to conduct consultation in which you can know the patient symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle for right stroke and technique.
Procedures -it includes the proper steps on conducting hot stone massage. It also discusses proper handling of stones and time requirement for every hot stone massage.
Thermotherapy- it is about the refreshing health benefits of hot stones in the body during the massage session.
Techniques and movement- it discusses the right stroke and different technique of hot stone massage. Technique includes the right key points to place the heated stones, and right massage for the different type of patient.
Contraindications– it is all about safety issues and pros and cons of hot stone massage that are basically important to be learned by a massage therapist.
Aftercare-it is about advices and you can possibly give to your client and what will be the possible discomfort he/she can expect after the massage.

After the training, a hot stone therapy certification is presented  showing that you have completed the course. However, every place has its own regulation and requirement to every massage practitioner. Be sure to check these things before considering your plan to practice. Hot stone therapy is commonly practiced by license massage therapist. In some jurisdiction, you may have to pass the licensure test and  attained a number of specific hours of training from accredited schools. They requires number of specific courses as well like anatomy, physiology,pathology and kinesiology.  In America, the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) and the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM) are the regulating body who gives test for license. A multiple choice type of tests that covers all the necessary courses you have taken, general knowledge of body system,professional ethics,legal practices and others.

The booming industry of massage and the constant need for massage therapist will give you great opportunity for a new career. If this kind of job interests you, massage training will make you ready and well-equipped to a new business privilege.