Signed in as:. Sign out. What is Hot Stone Therapy? A hot stone massage involves flat basalt stones being immersed in hot water and then placed onto specific parts of the body. During a hot stone massage, the techniques of a regular massage are applied. However, the therapist also works with hot stones that are placed on specific parts of the body. The stones are smooth and flat and usually made of the volcanic rock type called basalt.
These particular stones are chosen because they retain heat. The stones used for a hot stone massage are placed in hot water to warm up before being applied. They are then placed onto specific areas of the body, such as:.
Some massage therapists hold the stones in their hands and use them to massage with. This allows the therapist to get deeper into the muscles without more pressure, helping their client to relax yet further. Occasionally, cold stones can be used on the face or after the hot stones have been applied. Cold temperature helps to calm swollen blood vessels and soothe hot skin.
This type of hot stone therapeutic treatment is thought to have originated in China almost 2, years ago. Since then, the technique of using stones for healing has been used in many different cultures, including the Americas, Africa, Egypt, and India.
Benefits: In addition to deep relaxation, there are many benefits to having a hot stone massage. They include:. Pain relief: Hot stone massage has specifically been associated with symptom relief in people with a variety of conditions, such as fibromyalgia and other autoimmune disorders. Several studies, including on fibromyalgia , and rheumatoid arthritis Trusted Source , have linked moderate massage techniques with lessening pain, and improving range of motion.
