Bison Caravan

Article by Chris Turley

With the growing popularity of hot stone therapy, more and more people are longing to try this variation in massage which incorporates the use of warm basalt stones that are effective in calming the body and releasing muscular tension.

With the hectic lives of people today, a relaxing therapy like this one is surely a welcome break. Not only is it a great way to unwind, it also does wonders for one’s physical and mental well-being, contributing to good health and positive outlook in life.

It’s true that the massage stones and supplies are widely available online and at the local department stores. But if you have time to spare, you can also make your own and save some money.

Here are the steps on how to make your own hot stone kit:

Step 1: Go to a rock quarry or visit a nearby river.

Step 2: Look for flat and smooth stones. You have to find two large oval shaped stones measuring about 8 inches in length and 6 inches in width. Then search for 7 to 9 pairs of smaller stones that can fit in the palm your hand. Lastly, pick out 8 other stones about the size of an egg. Make sure that the pairs of stones you choose are similar in shape, weight and size.

Step 3: Buy the necessary equipment such as a water warmer. You can use a table top skillet with sides that are at least three inches tall or a large slow cooker. You also need to have a strainer to hold the stones after heating, spoons or tongs to pick out stones out of the water, thermometer and towels.

Step 4: Wash the stones thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove any dirt or soil residue. It’s not advisable to soap these stones.

Step 5: Arrange and stack the stones neatly into the pot or pan. Fill this with water and then heat on top of a stove. You may also use an electric heating device specifically designed for heating massage stones.

Step 6: Heat until the temperature reaches 120 degrees.

Step 7: Dry the stones with towels and then hold them first on your palm before touching it to the skin of the one receiving the massage to make sure they’re not too hot.

Of course, if you don’t want to go through all the trouble, there is always the option of buying ready to use hot stones. Online you will find a lot of great deals on these supplies. Just be sure that you choose a reputable store that will offer high quality and effective massage stones for a blissful hot stone therapy experience.

Chris Turley, a director of a massage stone supply company, is an expert on hot stones. Find out more on his site at www.tirmassagestone.com.

Stone Massage Therapy, as we know it today, has been gaining popularity in the United States since the early 1990’s. The resurgence of the sauna helped with this, as people began recognizing the heated stones used in these were soothing when applied to the skin. The first style of modern-day stone massage therapy is known as LaStone Therapy. Spas have quickly adapted this therapeutic technique to their massage “menus”, as clients have come to discover the numerous benefits of this form of massage.

While stone massage therapy is a very specific form of massage therapy, there are several different techniques therapists employed. The most common form is the hot stone massage, which generally consists of a massage therapist placing heated basalt stones of varying shapes and sizes onto the clients’ body. Generally these stones are applied as part of a full-body massage, which means smaller stones are used for the face with much larger stones placed along legs and arms.

Stones don’t usually make contact directly with the skin and are placed on top of towels placed on the clients’ body. Where exactly the stones are placed is up to the therapist, but usually these are aligned with pressure points, energy points, and areas of pain and soreness.

While some of these heated stones are left n certain areas, other heated stones are taken and used to massage the body. The heat from the stones allows for the body to better absorb the benefits of the massage. Cold stones may even be used, which aren’t nearly as relaxing as heated stones, but can target certain conditions. A hot stone massage lasts longer than a regular massage and may take up to 90 minutes.

Clients report high levels of relaxation during and after a hot stone massage.

It is generally viewed by therapists to be a form of massage that opens itself up such deep levels of relaxation that healing experiences may even be experienced. While hot stone massage is practiced alone, it can also be effectively combined with deep tissue massage to enhance the experience. Using stones instead of hands also takes a lot of stress off the hands and wrists of the therapist, which is why stones may be used during other challenging forms of massage therapy.

The popularity of modern stone massage has meant that there’s a large increase in the number of spas and massage therapists offering this treatment. With all these options, be sure you choose an establishment with qualified practitioners and sanitary equipment. The stones used in this form of therapy are re-used and if they’re not cleaned properly following individual use, they may become a breeding ground for germs and disease.

Stone massage has come a long way from its ancient roots in Chinese and Hawaiian cultures, and this form of massage is now viewed as a particularly beneficial and relaxing form of massage. Those seeking a deeper form of connection to their bodies will reap great benefits from receiving a stone massage, whether the rocks are heated or chilled.