Hot stone therapy, also known as hot rock massage, uses smooth or textured, heated or cooled stones to promote relaxation and stress reduction by relieving stiffness and soreness. Before the healing stone treatment, the therapist heats the stones to 140 degrees or cools the stones by placing them in the refrigerator.

Stone therapy has been a part of the healing practices of many of the World's cultures including Asian cultures and Native American cultures, for thousands of years. Healing stone massage is used to relieve physical discomfort and to achieve spiritual balancing.

Stone massage therapists may use a variety of massage therapy techniques including Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue therapy, trigger point massage therapy, and Asian bodywork therapy to achieve emotional balance, muscle relaxation and stress reduction. Many stone types may be employed including basalt stones, river rocks, Arizona salt rocks, semi-precious stones, and jade stones.

Like massage therapy, hot stone massage moves blood and lymph allowing the body to remove waste in a more efficient manner. The addition of heat and cold brings blood to the surface (heat) or moves blood away (cold). Healing stone massage therapy techniques will leave you feeling mentally and physically refreshed and relaxed.















Copyright 2006 by Kristine Shultis www.riverrockmassage.com