Stone massage

Stone massage uses stones, sometimes heated, to massage the body. The hardness of the stones allows the therapist to address specific problem areas with more detailed work or deeper pressure. Basalt stones of various sizes, shapes and weights are used throughout and heated in water.

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.

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 therapists hands.

The heat from the stones relaxes muscles, increase the blood flow to the area being worked on which further accelerates the healing process. This increase in circulation and the relaxation of the muscles also aids in mental relaxation. Mental relaxation is key when a Therapist is attempting to work into deeper muscles of the body.

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.

LaStone Therapy is a form of massage that uses both hot & cold stones to massage the body. Cold stones feel refreshing on your warmed skin, and have a highly beneficial effect.

“LaStone” is a trademarked style of massage and can only be performed by a certified LaStone therapist. It was created in 1993 by Mary Nelson, a massage therapist and native of Tucson, who began to get visions and verbal guidance from her Native American Spirit guide, San Jaunette.

The idea quickly caught on and was adapted to become hot stone massage, a treatment that is now found in almost every spa. LaStone involves a more spiritual or metaphysical component than simple hot stone massage. The stones themselves are called the Stone Clan People and are considered to have healing properties.

LaStone therapy:

1. begins with gentle stretches and Swedish massage to warm up the body's muscle tissue. You sit up and the therapist places two rows of warm stones on the treatment table in alignment with both sides of your spine. The therapist covers them with a soft towel to protect you from the heat, then assists as you lay back down on them.

2. then he or she places stones of varying weights on the body's key energy channels, including the seven main chakras. Pebble-sized warm stones are placed between your toes and medium-sized flat stones are placed in your palms. The therapist also uses both hot and cool stones as an extension of his or her hand while doing Swedish massage.

3. Alternating between heat and cold both stimulates and relaxes the circulatory system, which is very detoxifying for the body. In cooperation with heated stones, chilled marble stones create a dramatic movement of fluids within the body.

It's not that easy for the therapist to maintain their sensitivity of touch with a big rock in their hand! And the body can start to overheat.

Hot stone massage is a specialty massage that uses smooth, heated stones. They are often basalt, a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat well. It is a deeply soothing, relaxing form of massage. The heat helps tight muscles release.