What is stone therapy massage?
Stone therapy massage is a type of manual therapy that uses small, smooth river stones as its main tool to relieve muscular tension. It targets trigger point areas that cause discomfort when pressed upon by a therapist's fingers. Practitioners may apply the stones hot or cold on areas that are injured or affected. As well as improving blood circulation and reversing premature signs of ageing like wrinkles, stone therapy massage is beneficial for a variety of conditions, including insomnia, stress and back pain.
Qualified practitioners of stone therapy massage in Melbourne can join the following professional organisations to access industry trends and ongoing support:
- Massage Association of Australia (MAA)
- Australian Association of Massage Therapists (AAMT)
- Massage & Myotherapy Association (MMA)
- Association of Massage Therapists (AMT)
- Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA)
Should you study stone therapy massage?
Stone therapy massage is a relaxing and affordable alternative to more traditional forms of treatment, and it is beneficial for a wide range of conditions. Studying this modality is a great way for you to add another skill set to your resume while expanding your professional network. Successful practitioners of stone therapy massage possess the following qualities:
- Patience and empathy in order to deal with different kinds of pain experienced by different people.
- Good listening skills will help you get to the root cause of a client's health complaint and apply the appropriate treatment.
- Excellent organisational skills will enable you to carry out a massage session flawlessly.
- A good grounding in anatomy and physiology is a plus because this will allow you to precisely target specific areas of discomfort and pain.
- Knowledgeable and skilled in the use of different massage techniques, such as Swedish and deep tissue, because these methods can be used at any point during a session.
- Extremely meticulous, particularly when it comes to disinfecting the stones before and after each treatment.
If you share these personal characteristics, you have what it takes to pursue and succeed in a training program for stone therapy massage. Read on to discover where and how you can fulfil the requirements to become a qualified practitioner of this modality.
What are the course and study options for stone therapy massage in Melbourne?
Stone therapy massage courses in Melbourne offer different levels of training, with most teaching students to use stones that are heated or chilled based on the preference and needs of a client. Course lengths vary from school to school, but they can range anywhere from two days to two years. In order to complete most courses, students must pass both written and practical exams.
The first step to becoming a qualified stone therapy massage practitioner is to complete the Level 1 Hot Stone Therapy course. It will teach you the principles of stone therapy massage, how to deliver a hot stone massage treatment using different types of stones, and how to clean and maintain the stones. After the course, you can apply the therapeutic effects of hot stone therapy massage to family members and friends.
If you wish to practice stone therapy massage professionally and incorporate it into your current practice, you must complete the level 2 training program, which builds on the knowledge and skills gained in the level 1 course. You will learn how to use cold stones in combination with advanced massage techniques to treat a variety of clinical conditions in this course. It also teaches how to stimulate the body's meridians to facilitate healing.
The courses can be taken on-campus or online, with the latter relying on advanced learning management systems to provide students with access to a wide array of learning modules, including video lectures that provide a step-by-step procedure for doing stone therapy massage. People with 9-to-5 jobs or who are busy during the day have the option to study in the evenings or take weekend classes only.
You can find the full list of stone therapy massage courses in Melbourne at the top of the page, along with the contact details of each course provider. We strongly recommend speaking directly to them about the curriculum, course fees and delivery method of a specific course, as well as learning more about the professional qualifications of their faculty members.
What happens after you complete your stone therapy massage course in Melbourne?
Studying stone therapy massage in Melbourne opens up countless career options based on your level of experience. You can work in a spa or a retreat facility that offer this kind of treatment to people seeking stress relief or improvement in their skin. Other stone therapists seek employment at sports clubs, aged care facilities or medical clinics.
As a qualified stone therapist, you can open up a clinic specifically designed to offer stone therapy massage treatments. If you want to, you can even work as a freelancer and visit your clients every week at their homes. However you decide to use stone therapy massage for your business, Natural Therapy Pages can help you maximize your success by adding your services to the practitioner listings. Over time, you'll gain more clients and increase your profits.
Massage therapists in Melbourne must comply with the following statutory codes set forth by the state:
- Health Records Act 2001
- Health Complaints Act 2016
- Working with Children Act 2005
- Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
- Code of Conduct for General Health Services
In addition, you must meet the continuing education requirements of the professional association you belong to. You can satisfy the mandated CPE requirements of your association through the following courses:
