HOT STONE MASSAGE

Hot Stone Massage

Hot Stone Massage

The stones are used in two ways during the massage. One is to impart heat onto the body by laying stones under the client with a layer of fabric between the client and stone (a sheet or towel) and/or on top of the client, again upon a towel. Stone layout typically will be along both sides of the spine, or along the chakra centers on top and baseball sized stones would be placed in the hands. While these layout stones are delivering concentrated centers of heat, the therapist is simultaneously massaging the client with oiled, heated stones held in the palm of the hand with firm strokes along the muscles of the legs, arms, and torso areas.

An authentic hot stone massage is not simply the "gliding" of heated stones lightly upon the surface of the skin, but rather the stones are used as tools to deliver effective tissue and muscle massage at a pressure level comfortable to the client. The client can request light, medium or deep pressure, which is the beauty of the hot stone massage technique. It can be customized in an instant to the request of the client. The hardness of the stones makes for a deep tissue massage and is easy on the joints of the therapist's hands.

The heat from the stones relaxes muscles and increases the blood flow to the area being worked on which is said to further accelerates the healing process. This increase in circulation and the relaxation of the muscles is also claimed to aid in mental relaxation.

Stones need to be kept heated in clean, sanitized water between 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit (about 50°C). Typically, gloves, tools, or mesh bags are used in removing stones from the hot water for sanitary reasons since hot water promotes the growth of bacteria. Alternatively, water temperatures kept too low may allow the proliferation of bacteria, algae, and mold, especially if the water has not been changed. Ideally the water should be changed for every round of sessions the therapist performs, the stone should be thoroughly cleaned and dried between patients. Your therapist or practitioner should have attended an intensive course over a period of a few days, with a resultant qualification. While the length of time the practitioner has spent being trained can be important; in general a recognised qualification from a reputable practical training source is preferred.

Hot stone massage is a variation on classic massage therapy. Heated smooth, flat stones are placed on key points on the body. The massage therapist may also hold the stones and use them to massage certain areas of the body.

The use of hot stones for healing dates back to ancient times, but it wasn't until Arizona massage therapist Mary Nelson introduced her hot stone massage technique, called LaStone Therapy, that the use of hot stones for massage caught on.

Nelson conducts workshops to train other massage therapists in LaStone. While LaStone continues to be popular, massage therapists and spas have also developed their ...