What is Hot Stone Massage?

Stone Therapy has been used for over 2,000 years. Native American women used to place a warmed stone on their stomach during menses. Roman baths involved hot water and tables of hot and cold stones to lie on. Pilgrims would put a hot stone at the end of their bed to warm their feet. Fasting Japanese priests would wear a sash in which 3 warm stones were placed to help to slow down their digestive process. Ancient Chinese, Egyptians and American Indians used stones for healing.

However it wasn't until Arizona massage therapist Mary Nelson introduced her hot stone massage technique, called LaStone Therapy, which the use of hot stones for massage really caught on.

The hot stones are usually made of basalt, a type of rock that is rich in iron, so they retain heat. River rocks are normally used because they are so smooth - they have been smoothed over time by the river's current.

The stones are immersed in water and heated in an electric heating device until they are within a certain temperature range. The stones may be placed at specific points on the back, in the palms of the hand, or between the toes. The heat warms and relaxes the muscles, which allows the therapist to apply deeper pressure, if desired.

What Happens During A Session?
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​Your first appointment begins with a consultation to enable a full assessment of your needs. This will be carried out in complete privacy, where all personal details remain completely confidential. You should allow an extra 10-15 minutes for the consultation. The consultation session is a vital part of the process as it helps to ensure that you receive the best possible treatment.

The practitioner will ask some questions about your general health, lifestyle, any current or recent injuries, areas of pain and family history. The practitioner will also ask you what you are hoping to achieve from your treatment in order to tailor a treatment plan specific to your individual needs.

Treatment will be carried out on a treatment couch using oils. The oil will be applied over the body and initially the therapist will use her hands to transfer the heat from the stones and start the massage. The stones themselves will then be used to provide a deep and comforting massage. They will also be placed along the spine and various other parts of the body during the course of the massage.

Cool crystals will also be used - mainly on the back and legs - to refresh the body after the heat. These stones are actually at room temperature; they just feel cool in contrast to the hot stones.

Towards the end of the massage crystals may be laid on the centre of the body on the Chakra points (the energy centres in our body). This will balance the Chakras to help restore harmony and vitality. During this time whilst you are benefiting from the crystals, you can be left to relax or you can receive Reiki – another wonderful ‘hands on’ treatment to bring peace to the body. Deep relaxation, the warmth relaxes both physically and mentally

What Happens After the Session?
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​Suitable after-care advice and any further sessions necessary will be discussed to develop a future treatment plan. You may experience contra-actions after the session, which are the body's normal reaction to massage, especially when extremely stressed or new to treatment. Contra-actions may include tiredness, vivid and coloured dreams or heightened emotions. These will also be discussed with you after the session. 

​Any possible contra-actions you may experience are completely normal and will subside within 12 hours of treatment. They can serve as a positive sign to indicate that the treatment has worked and the body is detoxing.