Background to Hot Stone Massage

As a contemporary therapy, stone massage was introduced to the world of Spa treatments by Mary Nelson in 1993. The therapeutic use of stones and rocks has, however, been employed for thousands of years in various forms by the Chinese, Indian Mexican cultures, either for their healing properties or to ward off bad spirits. Today, we are familiar with spas, although they are nothing new. They were originally used to improve health and well being – not just a luxury method of relaxation as they are today. Spas were about getting better, the hot pools, cold dips, plunge pools, saunas and steam rooms were designed to balance the body so it could heal. The same principles apply in Stone therapy – using alternating temperatures to heal. The term ‘geothermotherapy’ is used because the Earth (geo) is used to deliver the temperature through the stones.

The stones we use in therapy today are mainly basalt lava stones which have been worn smooth by rivers over the millennia. Thermal stone massage uses aromatic pills applied by hand using effleurage and then utiliising the basalt stones which have been heated.

Hot Stone Treatment

Stone massage therapy utilizes heat-retaining warm basalt and cool sedimentary massage stones, as well as chakra balancing using semiprecious stones and crystals, and aromatherapy. This course will cover hot basalt stone therapy.

Thermal conduction in the warm stones brings about local and systemic changes in the body, and influences the energy centers for body and mind balancing. The use of massage techniques in conjunction with the stones helps produce energy that assists with and directs vital flow to areas of blockage.

Stone massage makes you feel deeply relaxed, allowing you to let go of all the stress that is held within your body.