What is Hot Stone Massage?

Hot Stone Massage is a speciality treatment that uses smooth heated basalt stones that are placed over energy points in the body, complemented by massaging other stones over the body to give that ultimate feeling of deep relaxation and helping to restore a balance to the bodys energies.

Formed from volcanic molten rock that has been eroded over thousands of years, basalt stones contain pyroxene, plagioclase and other minerals which compress under natural forces, are used as the are rich in iron and therefore retain heat. They are immersed in water and heated in an electric heating device until they reach the correct temperature and then they are placed on the body and used for the massage.

The heat of the stones improves circulation and calms the nervous system as well as warming and relaxing the muscles, which allows the therapist to apply deeper pressure, if desired.

Advantages for the client:

• Provides a deep penetration of the heat and pressure of the stones
• Stimulates micro-circulation and cell function, promoting the rate of tissue repair
• Stimulates the matabolism of the area by 10-15% due to the local rise in body temperature of 1-2 degrees C
• The treatment is 10 times deeper and the results longer lasting than traditional techniques
• Vibrational energy that helps to balance the bodys' negative and positive energy
• Completes homeostasis, enabling the body to promote self healing and repair

Physiological benefits include:

• Widening of the blood vessels increasing blood flow thereby aiding flushing the lymph system of waste and toxins
• Raising metabolism which in turn increases energy levels and burns off unwanted products
• Improving production of hormones and efficiency of their use
• Brain response times improve
• Heat relaxes the muscles which in turn reduces spacity in the muscle and improves the muscle efficiency - i.e. more energy for less input
• Increases calmness and gives a feeling of well-being and emotional balancing