A hot stone massage is a type of massage therapy. It’s used to help you relax and ease tense muscles and tissues throughout your body.
During a hot stone massage, smooth, flat, heated stones are placed on specific parts of your body. The stones are made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock that retains heat, and heated in a water bath to between 40 and 60 degrees C depending on client preference.
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.
Sometimes, cold stones are also used during a hot stone massage. Cold stones may be used after hot stones to calm any engorged blood vessels and to soothe the skin.
Hot stone massage might help to relieve muscle tension and pain, reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep and may also help to relieve symptoms of autoimmune diseases.
