Cedar Stone School of Massage offers a Massage Therapy Certification Program that prepares students for employment in the profession of massage therapy. The program integrates several approaches to massage and bodywork including Native American and Asian techniques. Students study Swedish massage, deep tissue, mobilization, bodywork, hot stones, Neuromuscular, Sports Massage, Acupressure, and Tui Na in addition to Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology. Introductory classes are offered in various other modalities. 32 Credit Hour Program
Educational Objectives
The Cedar Stone Massage Therapy Certification Program strives to prepare students to enter the field of massage therapy as a professional with strong massage and assessment skills, basic business knowledge, and a clear understanding of ethics and other professional skills. As such, the program seeks to assist students:
- Acquire and demonstrate the many skills necessary to perform therapeutic massage.
- Exhibit knowledge of anatomy and physiology as it applies to massage.
- Understand ethical issues relating to massage.
- Know basic professional business practices.
The program includes:
Semester Classes
- Level I Massage
- Level II Massage
- Level III Massage
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Mobilization Techniques
- Muscle Actions
- Pathology
- Track Class
- Advanced Lab
- Student Clinic
10 Hours – Electives
- Cranial-Sacral
- Aromatherapy
- Prenatal Massage
- Self Care for the Practitioner
- Spa Treatments
- Other electives TBA
Eight hours of CPR and First Aid
The program can be completed at your own pace. The minimum time needed to complete the program is 12 months. Upon completion of the program, students will be awarded a certificate and eligible to sit for the national MBLEX exam and apply for state licensure.
Level I Massage Therapy Class – 4 credit hours
Massage Therapy Level I provides students with the first level of massage education. Students learn a full-body relaxation massage in the Swedish tradition, seated massage, and introductory Stone techniques and theory. They also learn basic anatomy and physiology focused on the musculoskeletal system and proper body mechanics. This class lays the basic framework for the art of massage practice. It is appropriate for students pursuing a professional career in massage therapy as well as those who wish to share massage with family and friends. The class meets for 15 weeks, 3 weekly class hours or 45 clock hours.
Class hours include 16.5 Massage Theory, Principles and Professional Practices, 4 Anatomy, 3 Palpation and Movement, 12.5 Career Development, 4 Therapeutic Relationship, 45 Massage and Bodywork Application. 40 supervised practice hours are required. Check the practice lab hours to schedule for practice times. Total hours: 85
Level II Massage Therapy Class – 5 credit hours
Students learn deep tissue massage theory and techniques. This class surveys muscle group anatomy, intermediate pathology, client interaction practices and assessment skills. Students will complete a lab project focused on treatment design, record keeping, and treatment delivery. Upon completing this course, students can perform an initial client intake and offer a full body therapeutic massage. Completion of Level I Massage is required to enroll.
This class meets for 15 weeks, 3.5 weekly class hours or 52.5 class hours. Class hours include 4 Massage Theory, Principles and Professional Practices, 5 Anatomy, 6.5 Career Development, 7 Therapeutic Relationship, 60 Massage and Bodywork Application. 45 supervised practice hours are required. Check the practice lab hours to schedule practice times.
Total hours: 97.5
Level III Massage Therapy Class – 3 credit hours
This class focuses on the design and integration of healing techniques through 5-Element Theory, Acupressure
techniques and Tui Na. Students learn acupressure, Shiatsu and Hara diagnostics while exploring western and eastern massage philosophy and modalities. Students practice the integration of massage techniques and energy-work in treatments tailored to meet the needs and pathology of individual clients. This class meets for 7 weeks, for 3.5 hours, or 24.5 class hours. Class hours include 4 Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, 20 Massage and Bodywork Application.
There are 35 supervised practice hours required. The practice lab hours are to be completed by the end of the semester.
Total hours 48.5
Anatomy and Physiology Class – 3 credit hours
An in-depth study of western anatomy and physiology, including understanding pathological processes as they relate to massage. Specifically, body systems such as nervous, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, and immune systems are studied. Meets 15 weeks, 3.5 weekly class hours or 52 total hours. Class hours include 30 hours of anatomy and 11 hours of pathology, 11 Adapting Sessions for Clients.
Total hours: 52
Pathology – 2 credit hours
An advanced study of pathology and the application of massage therapies and energy work. Students learn to design treatments based on the individual needs of the client. Completion of Level II Massage is required for enrollment in this class. Meet 14 weeks, 2 weekly class hours and it includes 3 hours of massage theory, 20 hours of pathology, 5 hours Massage Professional Practices.
Total hours: 28
Muscle Actions – 2 credit hours
Broaden your knowledge of specific muscle function. Students learn and practice the actions associated with each muscle through movement. Review of origin and insertions and general anatomy with a focus on assessing muscular
function via movement patterns and range of motion. Meets 15 weeks, 2 weekly class hours and includes 30 of anatomy.
Total hours: 30
Advanced Lab – 5 credit hours
Practice how and when to choose massage, mobilization and energy work techniques to facilitate muscle relaxation and release holding patterns in the body. Participate in a group process to review massage techniques, integration skills, treatment design, record keeping, pathology, and assessment. Examine business practices and marketing. Meets 15 weeks, weekly class hours and includes 6 Massage Professional Practices, 27 Therapeutic Relationship, 15 Assessment and Documentation, 7.5 Adapting Sessions for Clients, and 27 Career Development.
Completion of Levels I, II, III Massage and Joint Mobilization is required. Total hours 82.5 + 7 hours/week scheduled in the Student Clinic.
Stretching and Joint Mobilization – 4 credit hours
Take a three-dimensional approach to delivering massage. Students learn to incorporate active and passive stretches for clients with common muscle and joint related complaints. Identify and examine the properties of muscular health in order to broaden massage practice to include stretching, breathing and mobilizing. The techniques for this work are derived from traditional Thai Bodywork, Yoga, Feldenkrais, Laban, and other modern movement theorists. Meets 15 weeks, 3 weekly class hours or 45 class hours and includes 25 lab practice hours. 2 Massage Professional Practices, 2 Therapeutic Relationship, 10 Assessment and Documentation, 11 Massage and Bodywork Application, 38 Palpation and Movement, and 7 Career Development.
Total hours: 70
Track Class-2.5 credit hours
Students may select the following track topics to specialize: Neuromuscular Massage, Sports/Movement Massage or Advanced Stones, Lymphatic Massage, Myotherapy, Belly Massage, Intro to Energy Work, Aromatherapy in Practice etc. This class will focus on the treatment modality theory, associated pathologies and applications. Students will learn techniques and advanced treatment designs to specifically address client symptom presentations. Meets 8 weeks, 3.5 weekly class hours or 28 class hours with 25.5 labs. Hours include 3 Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology. 23 Massage and Bodywork Application. 20.5 Adapting Sessions for Clients, 7 Career Development. There are 25.5 supervised practice hours that can be done at one’s own pace. The lab hours are to be completed by the end of each class. Check the practice lab hours to schedule practice times.
Total hours: 53.5
Student Clinic – 2 credit hours
Students will work in our clinic serving our local community. Students will provide full session massages in a clinic setting. This clinic class will prepare students to make the transition from student to professional massage therapist. Service delivery protocols including ethics, treatment design and record keeping are practiced. The class includes 6 Massage and Bodywork and Bodywork Application, 15 Adapting Sessions for Clients, 5 Career Development.
Total hours are 44 + 7 hours/week Scheduled in the Student Clinic.
Elective Training
During each semester, Cedar Stone offers a selection of one-day elective trainings which introduce topics and bodywork modalities directly related to massage therapy. The topics of the electives vary from semester to semester and include such classes as practitioner self-care, aromatherapy, Alexander technique, reflexology, successful business practices, and how to establish a massage practice. Other courses will be announced. Massage Therapy Certification students are to complete 10 hours of elective courses, 16 hours in Community Outreach events and an 8 hour CPR class to meet the requirements for graduation.
Class Schedules and Registration
CSSM offers classes during the day or evening. Students may select the class times that best meets their scheduling needs. Please see the Class Registration Form to see current semester course times.
Upon completion of the program, students will be awarded a certificate and be eligible to sit for the MBLEX state license exam (required) or the National Certification Board for Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers’ exam (optional). Upon completion of exam with a passing score you will be eligible to apply for Virginia state licensure as a Licensed Massage Therapist.