Hot Stone Massage
What is hot stone massage
Hot stone massage is a specialty massage where the therapist uses smooth, heated stones as an extension of his or own hands, or by placing them on the body. The heat can be both deeply relaxing and help warm up tight muscles so the therapist can work more deeply, more quickly.
Hot stones warmed by a fire were originally used by Native Americans to treat aching muscles, but the modern revival of hot stones in massage is generally credited to Mary Nelson, a native of Tucson, Arizona.
She trademarked her style of hot stone massage, called LaStone Therapy, which has a Native American spiritual component and requires training and certification.
Hot stone massage is a natural therapy in which warmed stones are positioned on parts of the client’s body of to maximize the therapeutic benefit. The stones used are typically river rocks or other very smooth-surfaced stones made of basalt. These stones are heated in sanitizing water before use. The high iron content in basalt helps the stones retain heat during the massage. Hot stone massages are beneficial on both physical and psychological levels.
During a hot stone massage, smooth, flat, heated stones are placed on specific parts of your body. The stones are usually made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock that retains heat. According to the University of New Hampshire Health Services, hot massage stones are heated to between 130 and 145 degrees.
The stones may be placed:
- along your spine
- on your stomach
- on your chest
- on your face
- on your palms
- on your feet and toes
Massage therapists may hold heated stones as they massage your body using Swedish massage techniques such as:
- long strokes
- circular movements
- vibration
- tapping
- kneading
benefits of hot stone massage
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Helps relieve muscle tension and pain
Heat has long been used to ease muscle tension and pain. It helps increase blood flow to the affected area. It may also reduce muscle spasms and increase flexibility and range of motion. Cold therapy helps relieve inflammation. Depending on your symptoms, alternating hot and cold stones during your massage may be helpful.
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Reduces stress and anxiety
It’s the position of the American Massage Therapy Association that “massage therapy can be effective for stress relief.” Research supports their opinion. A 2001 study showed that a ten-minute massage improved cardiovascular responses such as stroke volume. A 1997 study found that 15-minute, onsite chair massages in the workplace significantly reduced stress compared to a 15-minute break without massage.
A 2015 study found that people who underwent abdominal colorectal surgery had less pain, tension, and anxiety after receiving post-operative massage. -
Promotes sleep
A 2006 literature review found massage may be an alternative to sleeping pills in adults with insomnia. The research showed that back massage helped promote relaxation and sleep. A 2001 study showed that infants with sleep problems who were given a 15-minute massage by their parents went to sleep faster. They were also more alert, active, and positive upon awakening. Massage is thought to help you enjoy more restorative sleep, although it’s not completely understood why.
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May help relieve symptoms of autoimmune diseases
Hot stone massage may relieve painful conditions such as fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread, chronic pain. According to a 2002 study, people with fibromyalgia who received a 30-minute massage slept longer, had fewer trigger points, and had decreased levels of substance P (a substance involved in transmitting pain signals) than people with the condition who received relaxation therapy. More research is needed, however, before massage becomes a standard fibromyalgia treatment.
A 2013 study found that people with rheumatoid arthritis may benefit from a moderate-pressure massage, such as hot stone massage. Participants in the study experienced less pain, greater grip strength, and a greater range of motion after one month of massage therapy.
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May help decrease cancer symptoms
A large, three-year study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management examined how massage affected pain, fatigue, stress and anxiety, nausea, and depression in 1,290 people with cancer. The study showed massage, especially Swedish massage, improved cancer symptoms, even in those with substantial symptoms. Researchers believe the comforting use of human touch played a role.
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May boost immunity
Massage may give your immune system a boost. According to a 2010 study, a single session of Swedish massage therapy had a positive and acute impact on immunity. Blood samples taken before and after the massage showed a decrease in arginine-vasopressin, a hormone that helps regulate blood pressure and water retention.
Steps of hot stone massage
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Step One
The stones themselves are volcanic basalt often sourced from beaches in Mexico or Chile. When you walk into your therapist’s massage room, he or she will already have heated between 48 and 56 stones of varying sizes to between 130 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit in a specially designed water heater. It is important that the temperature of these stones be at this level, so that they will be neither too cold nor too hot. If the water is too cold, harmful bacteria may form; too hot, and the client will complain loudly. In most cases, you will see that the therapist has already placed eight flat stones in pairs on the massage table that will neatly align with your spine when you lie down. A linen cloth or towel will be placed between you and the stones. There will also be a range of many massage oils available. Grapeseed, lavender, olive, and rose oils are favorites.
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Step Two
After you lie down with the table stones bracketing your spine, the therapist will massage your face with a light coating of oil and place a small massage stone on each cheek, one under your lip, and another on your forehead. The forehead stone marks the “third eye”, betraying the therapy’s Indian origins.
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Step Three
Oil is massaged into your legs one at a time, then the therapist, using a suitably sized massage stone, will rub each side of your leg. The amount of pressure applied will depend on you.
The harder the pressure, the more deeply the muscles are affected. When the therapist is finished with your legs, he or she will place a small stone between each of your toes. -
Step Four
The arms will be oiled and massaged using medium stones. When each arm is completed, the therapist will put a warm massage stone in your palm.
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Step Five
After the arms are completed, the therapist will take back the palm stones, remove the stones from your face and from between the toes, and ask you to turn over. While you do this, she will also remove the eight spinal stones. At this point, oil is massaged into your back and the therapist will also begin to massage with long strokes using a hot stone, paying particular attention to acupressure points. He or she will then place a hot stone on each shoulder, one on each scapular area, and one on the sacrum or lower back. She will also put another medium rounded stone in each of your palms.
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Step Six
After finishing your back, the therapist will uncover your legs and place massage stones just under the buttocks, on the back of the knees, and on the calves. This hot stone therapy will draw out any remaining tenseness in the legs.
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Step Seven
The neck and shoulders will be massaged now, and finally the scalp.
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Step Eight
Now all the stones are removed and the therapist will go over the back and leg area with a nerve stroke using just the tips of the fingers.
Risks and warnings
When performed by a trained therapist, a hot stone massage is generally safe. There are some circumstances where it should be avoided. Consult your doctor before getting a massage if you have:
- a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners
- burns on your skin
- open wounds
- a history of blood clots
- had surgery in the last 6 weeks
- a fracture or severe osteoporosis
- a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
- diabetes