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Add a premium spa-style treatment to your massage menu
Our FHT accredited Hot Stone Massage One-Day Short Course is designed for qualified massage therapists who want to develop specialist knowledge, practical skills and confidence in professional hot stone treatments. Building on your Swedish Body Massage knowledge, you'll learn to combine traditional massage techniques with smooth, heated basalt stones, whose warmth can help promote relaxation, ease muscular tension and enhance the overall treatment experience.
You'll learn to prepare, heat and handle stones safely, build them into a structured routine and adapt your technique to each client. You'll also explore how working with stones can help you vary your techniques and reduce reliance on repetitive hand movements.
Start with the stones and safety
You'll begin with the history and principles of hot stone massage, the stones and equipment you'll use, and the safety and consultation steps that keep every treatment comfortable for your client.
- History, traditional applications and potential benefits
- Types of massage stones, equipment and massage products
- Safe heating, handling and storage of stones
- Temperature control and procedures for preventing burns
- Consultation, contraindications and treatment planning
Then build your technique
Through tutor demonstrations and supervised hands-on practice, you'll learn to use heated stones within your Swedish massage movements, with individual guidance and feedback throughout the day.
- Preparing, heating and testing stones before use
- Smooth, controlled stone techniques within Swedish massage movements
- Techniques for the back, shoulders, arms and legs
- Adapting stone placement, movement and pressure while monitoring comfort and temperature
- A structured hot stone routine with aftercare and homecare advice
Everything you need to know before you book
Is this course right for you?
- Qualified massage therapists wanting to expand their treatment offering
- Practitioners who have completed Swedish Body Massage training
- Beauty and holistic therapists with an appropriate massage qualification
- Therapists introducing luxury spa-style massage treatments
- Professionals building their CPD in specialist massage techniques
How you're assessed
- Take part in the theory and practical training throughout the day
- Show your understanding of hot stone principles, client consultation, contraindications, temperature management and safe treatment procedures
- Demonstrate the required techniques safely and professionally, observed and assessed by your tutor
On successful completion you'll receive an FHT Accredited Certificate in Hot Stone Massage. Any professional accreditation, CPD recognition or eligibility for treatment insurance is subject to the course's approved status and the requirements of the relevant professional body or insurance provider.
Entry requirements and booking information
- You must be aged 18 or over
- A suitable Swedish Body Massage qualification must be completed before you enrol, and evidence of it may be requested
- A good level of written and spoken English is recommended to support training and assessment
- Attendance for the full training day, 9.30am to 4pm, is compulsory
- The course involves the supervised use of heated stones, and you must follow all temperature control and safety instructions throughout
- You'll take part in supervised massage activities and may practise treatments on one another, subject to suitability and consent
- Any additional practical arrangements will be confirmed ahead of your training date
Keep building your specialist massage skills
Once you've completed this course, you can keep broadening the treatments you offer with further specialist training, including:
Hands-on training with an experienced tutor
You'll learn through tutor demonstrations and supervised practice, with individual support and feedback throughout, until handling, placing and moving the stones feels confident.
Questions we get asked most
Do I need to complete another course first?+
Yes. You must have completed a suitable Swedish Body Massage qualification before you enrol, and evidence of it may be requested. If you haven't trained yet, start with our Swedish Massage two-day course.
Is the course accredited?+
The course is accredited by the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) and carries 6 CPD points. On successful completion you'll receive an FHT Accredited Certificate in Hot Stone Massage.
How is safety handled with heated stones?+
Temperature control is a core part of the course. You'll learn how to heat, test and handle stones safely, prevent burns and monitor your client's comfort and temperature throughout, all under your tutor's supervision.
What will I be able to do once I've finished?+
You'll be able to prepare your stones and equipment, consult with a client and deliver a structured hot stone massage across the back, shoulders, arms and legs, adapting stone placement, movement and pressure to the client and giving appropriate aftercare advice.
Who can attend?+
Learners must be aged 18 or over, hold a Swedish Body Massage qualification and attend the full training day. You'll take part in supervised massage activities and may practise on one another, subject to suitability and consent.
What can I progress onto after this course?+
Popular next steps include Deep Tissue Massage, Eastern Bamboo Massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), Pregnancy Massage and our other massage and holistic therapy courses.
Can I spread the cost of the course?+
Yes. Flexible payment options are available at checkout.
Where does the course take place?+
The course runs at Cedars Training Academy in Gloucester. Available dates are shown above, so pick the one that works best for you before booking.
Ready to bring hot stones into your treatment room?
Places on each course date are limited, so book early to secure your place.
Book this course
