Hot Stone Massage

Hot Stone massage therapy combines the benefits of hydrotherapy and thermalism (or thermotherapy – the use of heat applications) with the strokes of massage using Stones to create a deep, relaxing and healing treatment.  The heat of the massage stones warms the skin, which allows for the absorption of moisturizing and therapeutic oils, while simultaneously preparing the musculature of the body so the massage therapist can work into the deeper muscle layers. 

The traditions and healing rituals in which the hot massage stones were used included laying the hot massage stones in patterns on the body, carrying or wearing stones for health and protection, using hot massage stones in the diagnosis and treatment of disease or during ceremonies such as sweat lodges or in medicine wheels. 

Some native healers used hot massage stones to ease the discomforts experienced during menstruation, or applied cold massage stones to impede blood flow after giving birth. The Roman Empire was noted for their creation of the Roman baths. 

Many of these rituals still exist today in the form of hydrotherapy practices and the use of saunas, hot immersion baths, and marble Stone / cold pools. 

More recently, it is thriving today in many healing centres and spas.

Benefits of thermotherapy include:

  • Increased local circulation

  • Improved blood flow to surrounding tissues

  • Greater ability to transport toxins and waste products from the area.

An ancillary benefit is that the massage stones provide a wonderful tool that creates a sense of depth in the massage without the extra wear and tear on the massage therapist’s hands.

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 the merdians ( energy pathways). Muscles are pretreated with the heated stones to allow the therapist to more easily perform deep tissue manipulations.

Cool stones are sometimes used alternately with hot stones. Massage oils are usually incorporated into the massage treatment.

Benefits of Hot Stone Massage

  • Promotes deep muscle and tissue relaxation

  • Alleviates stress

  • Releases toxins

  • Relieves pain

  • Improves circulation

  • Calms the psyche

Health Conditions Treated with Hot Stone Massage

  • Muscular aches and pains

  • Back Pain

  • MS

  • Arthritis

  • Fibromylagia

  • Stress, Anxiety

  • Circulatory problems

  • Insomnia

  • Depression

  • Relaxation