The Benefits of Using More Than One Type of Stone In Your Stone Massage A variety of stones equals a variety of textures, shapes, and temperatures. Read this article and find out how to use this in your stone massage sessions - a real client pleaser!   Each massage session you give varies with the client and the circumstances of the day.  Healing stone massage should be no exception.  A variety of stones equals a variety of textures, shapes and temperatures.  This can be of great benefit to both the therapist and client. The following are some real situations and how the application of healing stones can assist the client in feeling better and you, the therapist, in achieving great healing results. 1. A client comes in and tells you how stressed she feels and asks you if you can help her relax during the session.  You apply extra smooth basalt stones heated to 120 degrees F as well as refrigerated basalt stones or river rocks. The stones can be both placed on the client and  rubbed. You may also apply chakra stones.  At the end of the session, your client tells you how much better she feels and schedules another appointment.  - Stone massage is a great way to facilitate relaxation and stress reduction! 2. An athletic client tells you he has been feeling tired and less than energetic lately. Can you do anything to help? You use heated and cooled stones with texture such as textured river rocks.  This energizes the client and after a month of treatments, he is ready for the next marathon. - The application of textured stones can resore energy to tired lethargic clients!

3.  A client comes in for a deep tissue massage therapy session because she has been travelling a lot for work and has "knots."  You use heated and cooled wand-shaped stones to remove trigger point sensitivity and range of motion exercises to increase flexibility.  At the end of the session the client reaches down and touches her toes. She tells you that she wasn't able to do that when she came in today. She schedules a series of appointments. - Stones are an excellent addition to deep tissue massage - the stones can be heated and cooled. Alternate heated and cooled stones for maximum relief! 4.  A client comes in who has chronic pain. She has been "everywhere" for treatment. You design a series of treatments for the client including: 1) gua sha with a jade stone to move stagnant energy, 2) smooth warm and cool stones to soothe.  These stones can be placed stationary on the anterior and posterior of the body and/or glided with oil; and 3) gentle trigger point massage to lessen trigger point sensitivity.  The combination of these techniques lessens your client's pain and she becomes a regular client. - Gua sha is a wonderful way to move stagnant energy and relieve pain.

These are examples of real client success stories from my practice.  They can be yours as well! Smooth stones are calming whereas textures stones are energizing.  Stationary stones and stones that will be moving slowly should be heated to a lower temperature or cooled by dunking in cold water before being placed on the body. Stone massage is a massage therapy technique that can be blended with the massage therapy that you are already doing. It allows the therapist creativity and offers the client variety. c. Kristine Shultis www.riverrockmassage.com

Article: "Stone Therapy Benefits"   Article: "Choosing Your Stones" 

Article: "Choosing Basalt Stones"        Coming Soon! Energetic Stone Massage

Article: "What is Gua Sha?"                      NEW ARTICLE: "How to Recession-Proof Your Massage Business"

Topic Index: Back Massage Equipment | Hot Stone Heater | Jade Massage Stones