What Is Hot Stone Massage?

Cold and Hot Stone Massage is an exciting new therapy…
Therapeutic stones have an amazing healing energy. They have been used for massage therapy around the world for many years. 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. Hot stone massage was invented in 1993 by Mary Hannigan, a native of Tucson, Arizona. She has trademarked her particular style and calls it LaStone Therapy, but most spas offer their own versions.

Soothing Stones
Pure basalt lave stones includes stones of varying sizes from small "toe" stones, which fit nicely between the toes, to extra large "glut" stones. These stones can also be placed in the freezer for an invigorating, icy cold stone massage, perfect for sports massage. Each one of these special stones holds it's temperature in an amazing natural way. These kind of stones can be classified as metamorphic, and igneous. They come from natural sources giving a vast array of beautiful colors with smooth surfaces, perfect for a relaxing massage.

What Happens During a Hot Stone Massage?
*Before you arrive, the massage therapist sanitizes the stones and heats them in 120 and 150 degree water.
* The therapist uses traditional strokes of Swedish massage while holding a heated stone. As the stone cools, the therapist replaces it with another.
* The therapist might also leave heated stones in specific points along your spine, or in the palms of your hand, or even between your toes to improve the flow of energy in your body.
· If you have inflammation or muscle injury, cold stones are sometimes used.

What You Need To Know About Hot Stone Massage:
* The therapist uses many stones of various shapes and sizes.
* The heat of the stones helps muscles release more quickly than in traditional massage.
* You should speak up if the stones are too warm or the pressure too intense.

What are the benefits of Hot Stone Massage?
Since the hot stones are used to massage the body, you receive the same benefits as a Swedish massage, deep tissue massage and trigger point work. The added benefit is heat that penetrates the muscle and tendon providing deeper work with less pressure.

The smooth texture of the rock and the heat provides dramatic stress reducing results. Many recipients go into a deep meditative state early in the session. The stone placement along the chakras helps clear the body’s energetic system. (for more information on chakras see "Reiki Energy Healing").

How It Works
Smooth, flat, fragrantly oiled stones are heated and placed on strategic points on your body--even tiny ones between your toes. While the stones work their magic, the massage therapist uses both the stones and her hands to apply gentle massage strokes to sore muscles.