|  | Alternative Medicine | Physical Therapy

Hot Stone Techniques

Hot stone massage is a special form of massage therapy that uses the application of heated stones to the body to increase the health benefits of massage. Clients experience deeper relaxation and increased rehabilitation of bodily tissues from the deeply penetrating heat of the hot stones. Use only particular types of stones, and keep in mind that certain conditions may be prohibitive.

  1. Origins and Practices of Hot Stone Massage

    • Hot stone massage is not a new technique; its origins are rooted in the orient, but some records show the use of hot stone massage in the bath houses of ancient Rome. Hot stone massage uses special heated stones in combination with standard massage techniques to enhance the medicinal qualities of massage. The penetrating heat of the stones aids relaxation, promotes healing in deep tissues, aids in the loosening of stiff muscles, increases circulation of blood and fluids, and aids in the elimination of toxins that takes place during massage.

    Massage Stones and Techniques

    • Stones used for massage should be hard, smooth and nonporous. Resist the temptation to use just any stone you find, no matter how smooth its surface. Stones might scratch a client and will absorb oils, making them difficult to clean properly. Basalt stones are ideal for massage; their surface is unsurpassed in smoothness, and they retain heat well due to their formation from cooled lava flows. Massage stones are heated in hot water using various methods, such as a temperature-controlled machine that keeps stones at an exact temperature all day, or in a bowl wherein the therapist pours water in the correct temperature to heat the stones.

    Techniques and Application of Hot Stones

    • A proper set of massage stones requires a variety of different-sized and -shaped stones. The therapist will use large, broad stones as a hand tool to stroke the client's body in the same manner as a regular massage, laying medium-size stones on the client at certain body points, and also directly on the table for the client to lay upon. The smallest stones will play a role in applications such as placing them between the fingers and toes of the client and then wrapping them with a towel to hold them in place. In all cases, the therapist allow the heat of the stones penetrate into the patient's body slowly and deeply, enhancing the benefits of the massage.

    Benefits and Contraindications

    • Adding hot stones to massage enhances the depth and effectiveness of massage treatment. The heat of the stones allows the massage techniques to travel deeper into the body tissues, allowing for better relaxation, flexibility and elimination of wastes. Clients may fall asleep or sink into a deeply meditative state, as the heat of the stones assists them in letting go of the tensions and negative conditions absorbed by the body. A number of physical conditions may make hot stone massage inadvisable for certain clients. In general, any condition potentially aggravated by heat is a contraindication for hot stone massage. Consult a physician if you have any questions about whether hot stone massage is right for a client.

Physical Therapy - Related Articles