Have you incorporated hot stone massage into your list of treatments? For Clients dealing with significant pain or discomfort, regular sessions may reap great results for muscle relaxation and stress relief. This treatment is relaxing, nurturing and deeply soothing, but it may be unfamiliar to many spa therapists. Let’s explore what hot stone massage therapy is and the benefits of this service for Clients who want to explore treatments beyond the classic massage.

What Is A Hot Stone Massage? | What To Expect During A Hot Stone Massage | Skin Care Products For Hot Stone Massage

What Is A Hot Stone Massage?

According to Healthline.com, hot stone massage is a type of therapy designed to relax muscles and release tension. It differs from the traditional method as it combines the use of stones alongside massage, usually one that incorporates Swedish techniques. Smooth, flat stones are heated to between 110-130 degrees Fahrenheit and placed on the target areas. The most commonly used stones are basalt river rocks, which are worn smooth, and transfer and hold heat well. When using these stones, your goal is to use gentle pressure on your Client to provide tension and pain relief. By placing hot stones at key points on the Client’s body, you are encouraging their muscles to release tension, leading to a better massage experience. Explain to your Clients that the added benefits of hot stones will help them feel more relaxed, with less stress and muscle aches and pains.

The benefits of a hot stone massage include: 

• Pain relief
• Muscle tension relief
• Increased circulation
• Relaxation 
• Increased deep tissue massage penetration
• Better posture 
• Stress relief 
• Sleep support

Before offering this treatment to a Client, they should complete a detailed form so you understand their health profile including the use of medication. Do they suffer from any chronic pain, injuries? Have they received any recent treatments include other heated massages? The American Massage Therapy Association advises: “If a Client is receiving multiple services throughout the day at a spa, one heated treatment in a six-hour timeframe is an acceptable guideline to follow.”

Hot stone massage is not for everyone. It is not recommended for people who have:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Nerve damage 
• An autoimmune disease

Or who:

• Are pregnant
• Are taking medications that thin the blood or block sensory sensations
• Are experiencing menopause (the treatment may trigger hot flashes)

What to Expect During a Hot Stone Massage

Now that you’re considering offering hot stone massages to your Clients, let’s go into more detail about how to conduct this treatment. When working on only the neck and shoulders, a session will take around 60 minutes. For a full body treatment, plan for 90 minutes.  

The first step is warming the stones in a professional stone heater, an appliance specially designed for this task. Next, apply oil on your Client so the skin is soft. You typically place the stones strategically along the spine. You may also place them on the palms of the hands, the feet, chest, face, and even toes. The weight and heat of the stones relax the muscles to allow deeper pressure during the massage, allowing you to relieve the tension of straining tight muscles and let the Client benefit from deep tissue massages. As the American Massage Therapy Association says: “Hot stone can be used with several massage modalities, including Swedish massage, as well as placed on the Client’s body.”

When the Client’s muscles are relaxed, use additional oil to massage the body both with and without the stones. Use gliding strokes across the neck, back, arms and legs. Techniques may include long strokes, kneading, rolling, tapping, and circular movements. During the session, the Client’s heart rate, breathing rates and their body temperature will fluctuate depending on the temperature of the hot stones. Explain to your Client that these responses are normal during a hot stone massage. Encourage Clients to communicate immediately with you if the stones are too hot, too cold, if the pressure is too much or if the stone placement is uncomfortable. 

Skin Care Products For Hot Stone Massage

Although the primary benefit of a hot stone massage is from the heat rather than skin care products, Eminence Organics Product Support Representative Nadira Kavanagh suggests skin care products could amplify the benefits of this service.

“We would suggest the use of our body oils such as the Apricot Body Oil or the Stone Crop Body Oil for the best slip and glide,” says Nadira. The apricot kernel oil, grape seed oil and jojoba oil make the skin feel incredibly soft and smooth. Apricot kernel oil is high in Vitamins A, C and E, which make the skin feel smooth and elastic. Grape seed oil offers moisturizing effects, while jojoba oil nourishes and hydrates. 

Formulated with arnica, the Stone Crop Body Oil is perfect for massages. This hydrating body oil combines stone crop, rosehip oil and avocado oi to moisturize the skin. For both oils, dispense an appropriate amount for massage and warm it up in your hands prior to application. 

Are you going to incorporate hot stone treatments into your spa’s service menu? Share your experiences with this treatment in the comments below and join the conversation on social media. You can also find out how to become an become an Eminence Organics Spa Partner here.