Hot Stone Massage Therapy is also known as Hot Rock Massage Therapy and was used in ancient India and China, Hot Stone massage therapy combines the benefits of hydrotherapy and thermalism (or thermotherapy – the use of heat applications) with the strokes of massage using Stones to create a deep, relaxing and healing treatment.
The heat of the massage stones warms the skin, which allows for the absorption of moisturizing and therapeutic oils, while simultaneously preparing the musculature of the body so the massage therapist can work into the deeper muscle layers.
The traditions and healing rituals in which the hot massage stones were used included laying the hot massage stones in patterns on the body, carrying or wearing stones for health and protection, using hot massage stones in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Benefits of thermotherapy include: increased local circulation, improved blood flow to surrounding tissues, and greater ability to transport toxins and waste products from the area. An ancillary benefit is that the massage stones provide a wonderful tool that creates a sense of depth in the massage without the extra wear and tear on the massage therapist’s hands.