The London School of Massage offers professional massage training and complementary therapy courses.
Contact us to learn more about our courses, events, and industry news.
The London School of Massage offers professional massage training and complementary therapy courses.
Contact us to learn more about our courses, events, and industry news.
The two-day Hot Stone Massage course at London School of Massage is designed for qualified massage and sports massage therapists who want to add heated and chilled stone techniques to their professional practice.
Students learn how to prepare, heat, cool, clean and apply smooth massage stones safely. Practical training includes the use of heated basalt stones and chilled stones within massage strokes, static placements and a structured full-body Hot and Cold Stone Massage routine.
The course combines tutor demonstrations, supervised partner practice and ongoing practical assessment. Students receive individual feedback on stone temperature, pressure, placement, treatment flow, client comfort and professional safety.
Training is delivered by experienced massage educators with professional knowledge of anatomy, massage therapy, thermotherapy, client care and safe hands-on practice.
| Course name | Hot and Cold Stone Massage Course |
| Primary search name | Hot Stone Massage Course |
| Course type | Accredited Continuing Professional Development course |
| Course duration | Two days |
| Suitable for | Qualified massage therapists, sports massage therapists and other eligible soft-tissue practitioners |
| Entry qualification | Recognised Level 3 RQF qualification in Massage, Sports Massage or an accepted equivalent |
| Study format | Face-to-face practical classroom training |
| Practical training | Heated and chilled stone techniques, static placement and a structured full-body routine |
| Stones used | Heated basalt stones and suitable chilled massage stones |
| Theory training | Thermotherapy principles, temperature control, contraindications, hygiene, stone care and treatment planning |
| Course materials | Electronic course materials and digital certificate |
| Assessment | Ongoing practical assessment throughout both training days |
| Formal examination | No separate written or external practical examination |
| Certification | Accredited London School of Massage CPD certificate, subject to meeting the required practical standard |
| Accreditation | FHT, CMA, BCMA, IGCT and IICT |
| CPD points | 14 CPD points |
| Professional use | Integration into an existing insured massage or sports massage practice |
| Training location | London School of Massage, Caledonian Road near King’s Cross |
| Progression | Hot Bamboo Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Trigger Point and Stretch Massage Therapy and further CPD training |
| Booking | Students can enrol through the Hot Stone Massage course page |
Hot Stone Massage uses smooth heated stones as part of a professional massage treatment. The stones may be held as an extension of the therapist’s hands, moved across the body or placed temporarily on suitable areas.
Cold stones may also be introduced selectively to provide contrast or a cooling application where professionally appropriate.
This course teaches:
The course is suitable for qualified:
Students who do not yet hold an eligible professional qualification should first complete the VTCT (ITEC) Level 3 Diploma in Massage.
Qualified practitioners can also explore the wider range of massage courses for qualified therapists.
Hot Stone Massage is the principal focus of the course because it is the treatment name most clients and students recognise.
Students also learn how chilled stones may be introduced safely and selectively. Alternating warm and cool applications requires careful consultation, temperature control and awareness of the client’s circulation, skin sensitivity and general health.
The course does not teach students to use extreme temperatures or make medical claims about heat, cold or contrast therapy.
The course develops the practical and professional skills required to use heated and chilled stones safely within an existing massage practice.
Students learn:
Training covers:
A heater setting alone should not be relied upon to confirm that a stone is safe to apply. Stones must be checked before and during treatment.
Practical training includes:
Students practise techniques for the:
Students learn how to create a flowing treatment while maintaining draping, hygiene, temperature control and client comfort.
Students learn:
Training also covers:
Students should hold a recognised Level 3 RQF qualification in:
The qualification should include suitable Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology.
Applicants must also:
Students without an eligible qualification may attend only with prior approval and may receive a certificate of attendance rather than the accredited practitioner CPD certificate.
Anyone unsure about eligibility should contact London School of Massage and provide a copy of their qualification before booking.
Students work as both therapist and model during the course.
They should be prepared to practise and receive heated and chilled stone applications on different body areas using professional draping and hygiene procedures.
Students with reduced skin sensation, circulatory conditions, pregnancy, recent surgery, active inflammation, skin conditions or another health concern that may affect participation should contact the school before enrolling.
There is no separate written examination or external practical examination.
Assessment takes place continuously throughout both training days through:
Students must demonstrate the required practical competence before the accredited CPD certificate is awarded.
Successful students receive a London School of Massage Hot and Cold Stone Massage CPD certificate.
The course is accredited or approved by FHT, CMA, BCMA, IGCT and IICT and carries 14 CPD points. Further information is available on the school’s Accreditations and Approvals page.
This is an accredited CPD course rather than a separate Ofqual-regulated qualification. Students must hold an eligible underlying massage qualification and obtain suitable professional massage insurance before offering stone massage commercially.
Students attending without an eligible qualification may receive a certificate of attendance rather than an accredited practitioner CPD certificate.
This course is designed for qualified massage therapists, Sports Massage Therapists and other eligible soft-tissue practitioners who would like to add heated and chilled stone techniques to their existing treatments.
Students should hold a recognised Level 3 RQF qualification in Massage, Sports Massage or an accepted equivalent that includes suitable Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology training.
If you are unsure whether your qualification is suitable, you are welcome to send London School of Massage a copy before booking.
The course is mainly designed for qualified therapists because it builds on existing massage skills, consultation knowledge and safe professional practice.
Students without an eligible qualification may attend only with prior approval and may receive a Certificate of Attendance rather than the accredited practitioner CPD certificate.
You will learn how to prepare, heat, cool, clean and apply professional massage stones safely and confidently.
Practical training includes heated basalt stone techniques, chilled stone applications, static placement, flowing massage strokes and a structured full-body Hot and Cold Stone Massage routine.
The course also covers consultation, contraindications, temperature testing, hygiene, stone care, treatment planning, aftercare and safe practitioner body mechanics.
Hot Stone Massage uses smooth heated stones within massage strokes or as temporary static placements. The warmth can create a comforting treatment experience and may help clients relax while the therapist works with muscular tension.
Cold Stone Massage uses suitably chilled stones more selectively. Students learn how warm and cool applications can be introduced safely without using extreme temperatures or making unsupported medical claims.
Hot Stone Massage remains the main focus of the course, with cold stones included as an additional professional technique.
There is no separate written examination or external practical examination.
You will be assessed continuously throughout both training days through supervised practice, tutor observation and individual feedback.
To complete the course successfully, students must demonstrate safe equipment preparation, accurate temperature checking, appropriate stone selection, good hygiene, professional draping and completion of the structured treatment routine.
No. London School of Massage provides the professional massage couches, stones and classroom equipment required during the course.
Students normally work in pairs and take turns practising and receiving Hot and Cold Stone Massage, so a separate model is not required.
You should be prepared to participate as both therapist and client during the practical training.
All stones are provided during classroom training.
If you plan to offer Hot and Cold Stone Massage professionally after the course, you will need to purchase a suitable professional stone set, stone heater, reliable temperature-checking equipment and appropriate cleaning and storage supplies.
The course includes guidance on safe equipment preparation, maintenance, hygiene and storage so that you can choose suitable products for your practice.
Qualified therapists who successfully complete the course may add Hot and Cold Stone Massage to their existing insured massage or Sports Massage practice where it falls within their competence and professional scope.
Before offering the treatment commercially, you should confirm that stone massage is included in your professional insurance. Further information is available on the Therapists Insurance page.
Therapists interested in another specialist heated treatment may also consider the Hot Bamboo Massage Course.
Develop safe, effective deep tissue techniques through advanced hands-on training.
Learn safe, precise Manual Lymphatic Drainage techniques through practical professional training.
BCMA, IGCT & IICT Accredited Course
Search...
Introduction
Course Overview & Study Options
FAQ
Course Dates and Bookings
