What is Hot Stone Massage?
Hot Stone Massage is the ultimate luxury massage that uses warm smooth volcanic stones during the treatment together with semi-precious stones and crystals to balance the Chakras. The most commonly used stones are basalt, a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat longer than any other type of stone and their rounded shape and smooth surface are perfect for placing on the body or using in the hands for massage.

The heat generated by the stones brings about both local and systemic changes in the body, influences the energy centers and achieves mind and body balancing on many levels. Circulation is boosted, muscle tension is released and toxins are eliminated. The direct heat relaxes muscles allowing manipulation of a greater intensity than with regular massage. The warm stones expand the blood vessels pushing blood and unwanted waste materials through the body. The comfort of the warmth relaxes the mind, body and soul creating a wonderful feeling of calm during and after the treatment.

The stones come in varying shapes and sizes and serve different purposes from larger stones which are placed on various parts of the body, to slightly smaller stones which are used in conjunction with massage techniques to very small coin-sized stones that are lightly wedged between the toes or placed in the hands, depending on the areas to be treated. Hot Stone Massage was invented in 1993 by Mary Hannigan, a native of Tucson, Arizona.

 

Hot Stone Massage can help with:

• Poor Circulation
• Muscular Aches and Pains
• Rheumatic and Arthritic Conditions
• Fibromyalgia
• Lymphatic Drainage
• Cellulite
• Stress, Anxiety and Tension
• Relaxation

What happens during a Hot Stone Massage?
 
The Preparation
Before you arrive, I will sanitize the stones and place them in a heater which is designed especially for heating massage stones until they reach between 120F and 140F degrees.
 
The Treatment
After carrying out a consultation, you will be asked to disrobe (with your modesty still intact) and you will be made comfortable on the couch. After skin brushing, grapeseed oil is applied to the body and depending on the areas to be worked, the relevant stones will be wrapped and placed on the body. The larger stones may be wrapped and placed on the lower back, ham strings, behind the knees and underneath the body at the point of the solar plexus or stones may be placed at various chakra points on the front of the body. Hot stones which are to be placed and left on the body are either wrapped or will have cooled in temperature.
 
The Massage
Initially, until the stone cools a little, the warmth of the stone will be transferred from the stone to my hands and then onto the area being treated, after which the stone is used to skim the body until it cools a little further and subsequently, used to massage once it has reached a suitable temperature that is comfortable to the client. The side of the stones can also be used to treat specific problem areas. As and when the stone being used for massage has completely cooled, it will be replaced with a warmer stone.
 
Warm stones continue to be used both for the massage and for placing on the body throughout the treatment.
After the treatment has finished, you will be left to relax for a few minutes before dressing.

The length of treatment will vary according to the individual's requirements.

Once dead skin cells are removed, further treatments applied to the skin are far more effective and product absorption is greater.

Why does Hot Stone Massage cost slightly more than Remedial Massage?
A Hot Stone Massage will be slightly more expensive than a basic massage because it requires more preparation, clean up and runs a little longer.