Benefits of Stone Massage

Hot Stone Massage is a style of massage therapy in which water-treated stones are placed at specific sites on the client's body to promote relaxation and to help open up energy pathways. Muscles are pretreated with the heated stones to allow the therapist to more easily to perform deep tissue manipulations. Cool stones are sometimes used alternately with hot stones. Massage oils are incorporated into the massage.

Stone Massage promotes deep muscle and tissue relaxation, alleviates stress, releases toxins, relieves pain, improves circulation, calms the mind.

Stone Massage relieves (does not cure) muscular aches and pains, back Pain, MS Arthritis, fibromylagia, stress, anxiety, circulatory problems, insomnia, depression

Origin

Hot stones warmed by fire were used by Native Americans to treat aching muscles, but the modern revival of hot stones in massage.

When Stones are not appropriate

Hot Stone massage is not appropriate if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or take medication that thins the blood. You shouldn't get a hot stone massage if you are pregnant or have a sunburn. You also may want to reconsider if you are menopausal, as it may trigger a hot flash.

Stone Massage Treatment

Every therapist has a different style.

Usually the treatment is started face down, with the therapist working on your back.

Towels are placed on the areas in which the stones will be placed so that the client will not be burned.  

Once the towels are removed, the therapist then will proceed with traditional Swedish massage while holding a heated stone. As the stone cools, the therapist replaces it with another.  This is to be the process for entire body (posterior and anterior body).

Therapist uses a variety of stone of various shapes and sizes -- big ones on the big muscles, smaller ones on smaller muscles.The therapist might also leave heated

stones in specific points along your spine, in the palms of your hand, on your belly, or even between your toes to improve the flow of energy in your body.

 Many therapists believe that the stones themselves have an energetic charge and that needs to be maintained by placing them in a spiral pattern.

 If you feel uncomfortable regarding the stones being hot, too warm or the feel of the stones; please let your therapist know. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.