hot stone massage

Stone massage therapy has been used in many different cultures for thousands of years. Healers used rocks from the river beds and warmed them either in hot coals or hot water. When the stones were warm they placed them on the body, arranging them along the energy centres to relax the muscles and reduce pain or discomfort.  Smaller stones were then used to massage the body, providing a deep but soothing sensation. 

Stone massage is deeper and more intense than traditional massage as the heat penetrates the body and relaxes the muscles.  It is said that one stroke with the stone is worth seven with the hand!

Hot Stone therapy can help in the treatment of the following problems; 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.

In certain cases cold stones are also used to help muscular injury and inflammation. Warm stones expand the blood vessels, helping to move blood faster round the body, sedating the nervous system. 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 happens when I come for a treatment?

In your first session I will carry out a consultation to establish your past and present health, diet and lifestyle.  This consultation is an essential part of your treatment as it allows me to find out about any health problems you have and design a treatment plan tailor-made to address your specific health needs.  The consultation will take around 10-20 minutes.  I do not charge for the consultation, it is FREE!

I will use the stones in two ways during a treatment.  I will use placements , where stones are placed on energy points in the body, to warm, relax and activate these points.  I will also use the stones to massage the body.  Oil is applied as it would be for regular massage but then I will use the stones in combination with my hands to perfom a deep but soothing treatment.  In some treatments large stones are placed on the body, in the palms of the hands, and coin-sized stones are placed between the toes. Heated chakra stones are used to align and balance chief energy centres, benefiting the whole body.  

How will I feel after treatment?

It is difficult to explain what is so special about a hot stone treatment as it is such an unusual sensory experience.  My clients have told me it feels much deeper than a traditional massage, working further into muscles, particularly the back and shoulders, but that it isn't as painful.  The heat is soothing and calming and it doesn't feel like you are being mssaged with stones.  It works on all levels - mind, body and spirit and is a highly detoxing treatment.  It really needs to be tried to be understood.