Hot stones have been used in massage therapy throughout the ages by many different cultures for a variety of reasons. It is believed that they originated over 5,000 years ago in India as part of their ancient holistic medical system, Ayurveda. A medical practice that old that's still relevant today is bound to have some profound positive effects on your body and health. However, not all hot stones are created equally and while the practice might be ancient, some great modern advances have been made. Let's find out more about them and take a look at how they might benefit you.

The most common type of hot stones are basalt stones which are river stones made from volcanic rock. They are high in iron which helps them hold onto heat for a bit longer. This is most likely what you will receive if you book a hot stone massage session in any typical spa. 20-30 basalt stones are warmed in a heater similar to a crock-pot that is filled with water before your session. They need to preheat for an hour or more. They are lava hot when they come out (they need to be removed with tongs) and need to cool for a bit before they can be used. Once ready, they stay the right temperature for a short while then quickly turn cold. Your massage therapist might use one or two at a time then remove them or place them on certain body parts when they're no longer quite warm enough to massage with. The downsides to this are obvious. First, the potential for the client or therapist to be scalded is significant as temperature regulation is difficult. Second, the massage is perceived as choppy and less relaxing with all the starts and stops as the therapist exchanges the stones. Not to mention the main point, the benefit of the heat is minimal as it doesn't last long. Third, the whole process is impossible for mobile massage. There's no reasonable way to preheat the stones in the clients home before the session, nor is it wise to travel with a crock-pot of boiling water sloshing around. Additionally, cleaning 20-30 stones for every session is a time consuming undertaking.

Himalayan salt stones are, you guessed it, made of salt. In recent years they've been increasing in popularity and availability in spas. They can remineralize the skin and neutralize surface bacteria. Some people even claim they can be used as a natural deodorant! Salt stones are good for exfoliation as well however the client should be aware of this fact if their skin is overly sensitive or they simply don't want or need additional exfoliation. Since salt dissolves in water, these stones are heated on a portable pad and cleaned with a special fluid. This eliminates some of the issues associated with the basalt stones but not all. The temperature is more regulated (less likely you'll get burned but not impossible) but the salt stones still don't stay hot. Even though you can "recycle" them on the heating pad, it does take awhile for them to reheat and there is still quite a bit of cleaning involved. So the massage is still choppy and you still won't benefit from lasting heat.

The lesser known battery operated stones, deserve some real recognition. For any massage but especially mobile, they simply can't be beat. When you schedule a mobile massage with A Touch of Craft, Med-Stones are what I use. Since they're battery operated they heat up in minutes and stay hot for your whole session (up to 2hrs). They're rechargeable, easily cleaned, non-porous and more hygenic. The consistently hot temperature feels wonderful and there's no waiting involved. I use the same two stones for the whole massage, there's no crockpot, heating pads or exchanging stones. I do still of course incorporate regular techniques into your massage so after warming up your tissues for awhile, I will take a break from the hot stones and return to them shortly. By using the stones first, your muscles "melt" like butter and my deep tissue (or Swedish) techniques are far more effective than when used alone on cold muscles. Some things to be aware of; these stones have no external controls. You wouldn't want switches scratching you anyway. I regulate the temperature by moving faster to cool them down or going slower (even holding still momentarily) to focus more heat in a specific area. So as with all types of hot stone massage, communication with your massage therapist is vital. If it ever is too hot or you want more heat, speak up! This is your massage, your time to relax and should be just as you like.

Photo: Deep Tissue ‘Med-Stone’

If you feel yourself gravitating toward a deep tissue massage because your muscles are so tight and sore, consider adding hot stones to your session. When heat is applied to the muscles it helps to soften the tissue, making it more malleable and easier for the massage therapist to work out your knots and tension. Aside from massage, heat itself provides great pain relief. This is why people use heating pads and take hot baths.

Some common benefits of hot stone massage include:

· Much better pain relief and release of tension than deep tissue alone

· Can increase range of motion, flexibility and decrease muscle spasms

· Increase circulation (blood flow)

· Improves the release of toxins

· Relief from menstrual cramps and PMS

· Deeply relaxing, reduces anxiety and promotes better sleep

· May improve immune function and even help with autoimmune diseases such as

rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia

· It feels AMAZING!

Note: You might want to avoid alcohol, nicotine and caffeine for at least 24 hrs after your massage, if possible. While this is by no means a requirement, the hot stones greatly improve your body's natural detoxifying abilities (as mentioned above). So to the get the most out of this experience, it would be wise to refrain from these substances/toxins for a bit.

Now that you're armed with more information on the subject, it's clear to see the many great effects of hot stones in massage therapy. It is far more than a "just for fun" spa add-on. If any of these health benefits resonate with you and you'd like to feel the amazing difference that hot stones can provide you personally, be sure to ask me about them when scheduling your next session!