Hot Stone Massage: History, Therapy and Technique

By Carrie Ellis and TJ Yelich

 

If you have been feeling out of sorts or experiencing major tension in your muscles than probably the last thing that you want to do is pile rocks on your back. However, that just might be the solution. Hot stone massage, while it sounds heavy and painful, is a highly specialized form of massage that uses smooth, heated stones to sooth and relax your body and your mind. This type of massage is particularly popular when people are on vacation and interested in trying out a new indulgence that they might not normally experiment with.  

 

The secret to hot stone massage is in the types of stones used. Most of the time they are made out of basalt, a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat well.  Massaging with black volcanic stones is a soothing, relaxing form of massage.  It helps to release tightened muscles and sooth aching pain.  These stones rubbed on the tense spots of your body will help calm and relax you after a long or stressful day – something that most of us experience at least one day on vacation when we have trekked all over an amusement park or shopped, lounged and laid out longer than we intended. Hot stone massages can take as little as half an hour or as long as two hours, and can be customized to fit your needs and budget. 

 

Hot stone massages can be rather expensive, but they tend to be slightly less pricey in resort areas, which is unusual since services like this generally run higher in exclusive environments.  In most cases, they run about one hundred and fifty dollars for one session.  However, these sessions are often longer than conventional massages and highly customized. In a session, a therapist will uses many stones of different shapes and sizes.  Technique is very important.  Therapists encourage patients to speak up if a stone massage is uncomfortable so that adjustments can be made. Now is the perfect time to get a deal on a hot stone massage that is totally customized to your needs because many spas are running specials to encourage people to try out new relaxation techniques. 

Hot Stone Massage History

 

Native Americans used hot stones warmed by fire to make themselves feel better.  Mary Neslon, a native of Tucson, Arizona, is generally credited with the revival of the hot stone massage in 1993.  Mary Nelson received visions and verbal guidance from her Native American Spirit guide, San Jaunette.  Mary Nelson trademarked her style, calling it LaStone Therapy.  LaStone Therapy is a form of massage that users both hot and cold stones.  It is a trademarked style of massage that can only be preformed by someone who is certified to be a LaStone Therapist.  Most spas have there own versions of hot stone massage therapy that are as highly researched and tailored to client’s needs as this original treatment. 

 

Since  the stones used in hot stone massages are also good for natural healing, you may want to speak to your therapist about combining heated and cool stones during your massage.  If you want a healing massage then your therapist may use hot or cold stones depending on your injury.  When massaged on an injured muscle or area of great tension, the stones can bring temporary relief and speed healing.

 

Hot Stone Massage in Atlanta

 

Many spa locations offer hot stone massages, but there are several that are well known for this service. 

 

• • Salon Greco 

 

The Salon Greco offers top professionals specializing in personalized services.  They offer hot stone massages in an elegant enviroment to helps relieve stress from head to toe, believing that environment is as important as technique when it comes to rest, relaxation and healing. 

 

• • Skin Essence Buckhead 

 

Skin Essence Buckhead is another great place for hot stone massage – especially if you are focused on using this particular form of massage to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  This spa is priced to be a part of your everyday lifestyle, and you will find that you can easily work a hot stone massage or variant of this procedure into your regular fitness and beauty regimen.  

 

There are many other spas in Atlanta that offer hot stone massages and variations on hot stone massage. If you are visiting the city, then a hot stone massage will help you relax after a big day enjoying the sights, fine dining and other venues that Atlanta has to offer. If you live in Atlanta full time, then instead of keeping your cool during your vacation with a hot stone massage, you may want to take advantage of the myriad opportunities to enjoy hot stone massage on a regular basis.