What is a Hot stone massage?

The origins of  hot stone massage was found with native americans to treat aching muscles. It is a specialty massage where the therapist uses smooth, heated stones, either as an extension of their own hands or by placing them on the body while they massage other parts of body. The heat can be both deeply relaxing and help warm up tight muscles so the therapist can work more deeply and quickly.

The procedure of hot stone massage:

At the beginning the massage therapist sanitizes the stones and heats them kn bath of 80°C to 100°C water. The stones themselves are usually black basalt that absorbs and retains heat well and have been smoothed by natural forces in the river or sea.

You usually start face down, with the therapist working on your back. Initially the therapist warms up the body with traditional swedish massage then massages the back of the body while holding one or two heated stones. As the stone cools, the therapist replaces it with another hot stone. The therapist uses many strokes of numerous types of muscles on the back, calves, hamstrings, thighs, hips. The massage duration on the front side is very minimal as the skin is sensitive on the chest and stomach. The heat of stones should be less on the front side.

The therapist might also leave heated stones in specific points along your spine, in the palms of your hand, on your belly or even between your toes to improve the flow of energy in your body. 

Be sure to ask the therapist if the stones are too warm or the pressure fluctuates. This was an overview about hot stone massage.