Hot Stone Massage

Using hot stones to massage with can achieve two goals in one treatment session.  Due to the heat of the stones, it is always a highly relaxing, stress reducing massage. The hardness of the stones also allows the therapist to address specific problem areas with more detailed work or deeper pressure.

How does it work?

Basalt river stones of various sizes, shapes and weights are used to massage with and also to impart heat by placing them along the energy centres of the body.  The stones are heated using water and kept at a safe temperature with feedback from you, the client. 

The stones are used as tools to deliver effective massage at a pressure level comfortable to the client. You 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 your needs. The hardness of the stones makes for a fantastic deep tissue massage.

What does it involve?

You will be asked to remove your outer layer of clothing allowing me to work directly onto the skin with an oil.  The massage is carried out whilst you are lying on a massage couch and takes 75 minutes for a full body treatment or 45 minutes for a back, neck and shoulder treatment.

What is it good for?

Hot stone massage can help in the treatment of: muscular aches, pains, and strains, rheumatic and arthritic conditions, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, back pain, and insomnia. It also helps to improve circulation and can help reduce stress, anxiety, tension and depression.

What are the benefits?

Warm stones expand the blood vessels, helping to move blood faster round the body, sedating the nervous system. In certain cases cold stones can also be used to help muscular injury and inflammation. The application of cold stones stimulates the nervous system by causing the blood vessels to contract and increasing the lymph flow of waste materials round the body.

 What are the side effects and when should it be avoided?

Hot stone massage should be avoided if you have open wounds, muscle tears, sprained ligaments or burns; varicose veins, phlebitis, thrombosis, cancer, tumours, melanoma or haemophilia. This therapy is also unsuitable for anyone with infectious skin disease such as a fungal infection or herpes. People with diabetes should be aware that hot stone massage will have the same effects as exercise.  I usually use a nut oil so this treatment is not suitable for people suffering from nut allergies.

What Next?

Call or email me to talk about how hot stone massage can help you.