Hot Stone/ Thermal Therapy
Hot stone therapy is a therapeutic massage using smooth, heated basalt stones.
I use the heated stones as an extension of my hands, using massage strokes to heat up the muscles. I will also place warm stones on the sacrum and along the spine, to increase heat penetration in to the muscles.
As with any massage, the main reasons and benefits of hot stone massage are to decrease stress and anxiety, relieve muscle spasm, pain and tension and to promote improved sleep... amongst many other benefits.
This therapy is very popular for clients suffering with back issues, but can also be used on the arms and legs as part of a full body hot stone massage. The stones can also be integrated into a sports massage, especially for tightness in the calves and hamstrings.