For millennia, across a spectrum of cultures, people have used some form of massage and heat (thermotherapy) as a therapeutic tool. Chinese, Native American and Hawaiian cultures are believed to have the strongest influence on modern-day massage treatments that incorporate touch, heat and medicinal stones. The ancient Chinese regularly used sharpened stones, known as Bian Stones, in an early form of acupuncture to treat disease. Heat was added by pulverizing the herb mugwort and forming it into a cigar-shaped cylinder that was burned at one end and applied to the body.

Native Americans, believe that stones are their oldest living relative, referring to the stones as “grandfather rocks.” Well known for the sweat lodge, Native Americans heated grandfather rocks until white hot before pouring water over them to create steam. Heated stones were applied to the lower abdomen to relieve cramps. Hot stones, shaking and dancing were combined in ritual dances for healing and to call upon ancestors and the Great Spirit for the health and prosperity of the tribe.

Ancient Hawaiian massage techniques are credited with the origins of hot stone massage. Customary uses included wrapping hot stones in leaves with certain therapeutic properties (ti leaves) and placing them on sore muscles to reduce pain – like using a heat pack or poultice. Hot stones were placed in shallow pits and covered with the ti leaves. The “patient” would then lie on top of this stone bed, allowing the healing properties to infuse into the body. Early Hawaiians rubbed volcanic stones over the body after a traditional Kahuna/Lomi-Lomi massage, which is more like an exfoliation treatment due to the coarseness of the stones. Modern-day Hot Stone Massage, a truly unique and powerful style of massage, is attributed to licensed massage therapist, Mary Nelson, a native of Tucson, Arizona. She trademarked her style, called LaStone Therapy (See Sidebar).

Hot stone bodywork involves the use of heated and cooled stones to bring relief to tense and sore muscles. This treatment results in relief of chronic and acute problems that are familiar to many people such as  headache, back pain, insomnia, over-worked muscles, repetitive joint injuries, and muscle tension associated with other medical conditions—including arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and MS.

“The physiological benefits of massage and the application of hot and cold treatments are scientifically and medically valid. For an acute injury, cold therapy can reduce swelling and lessen pain. For chronic injury, heat increases circulation, which brings nutrients into an injured area and can help flush out toxins,” explained Gerrianne Dickinson, LMT, owner of Body Wellness Massage Therapy located in Cromwell, CT.

Alternating applications of cold and hot, a sort of “vascular gymnastics” of the circulatory system, supports the body in healing in another important way—it promotes the relaxation response. According to the American Massage Therapy Association, the most common reason for a person to get a massage is for stress reduction, particularly to manage mental/emotional symptoms such as anxiety, depression, irritability, and worry.

An authentic hot stone massage is not a simple process of “gliding” stones across the surface of the skin. The stones are conduits for delivering effective tissue and muscle massage at a pressure level comfortable to the client.

“For the client, hot stone therapy offers tremendous therapeutic benefit that is not common to traditional massage. Heat from the stones penetrates into the muscles as the therapist massages the body while holding warm stones in her hands. The hardness of the stone allows the therapist to work effectively through problem areas, especially deep tissue tension. The smoothness of the stones allow for a very soothing experience,” Gerri said of the technique.

No ordinary rocks are used for this type of massage. Stones are selected for the capacity to retain heat without burning the skin. Gerri pointed out that, “Primarily, heated basalt stones are used. The stones are heated between 120 – 150 degrees and can be cooled quickly if they are too warm for the client.”

Basalt stone is modified igneous rock formed by volcanic and sedimentary action. The stones form when gabbroic magma erupts as lava flows or intrudes at shallow depths to form dikes and sills. Vesicular structure is prominent at the top of the lava flow. Gasses trapped in the cooling lava form vesicles; after solidification, secondary minerals like quartz and zeolites fill these cavities. The hardness is seven on the Mohs’ Scale of 1–10, a diamond being a ten. The stones eventually wash along an ocean shore or riverbed, resulting in the smooth polish and oval shape.

Another stone that may be used during hot stone massage is jade—the stone of Heaven. Jade takes a high polish and is quite popular in jewelry, ornaments and sculpture. Jadestone boasts two variations of crystalline structure and chemical composition. Jadeite is a silicate of sodium and aluminum while Nephrite is a silicate of calcium and magnesium. Both jadestone types may be white or colorless, but may occur in hues of red, green, brown, purple, yellow or gray due to the presence of iron, chromium or manganese. There are also wide variations of translucency in both minerals. The Moh’s Scale hardness is 6.5 – 7.

A select number of companies specialize in harvesting and preparing the stones for massage therapists. Since therapists use different sizes of stone on various areas of the body, to create a complete stone set is a meticulous process.  After harvesting, stones are sanitized through a sort of exfoliation process that smoothes surface imperfections. Next, stones are evaluated for their size, texture, and chemical composition.

The energetic properties of stones are another important factor. “Stones may be placed on specific meridians, according to the tenets of Chinese Medicine. They may also be placed along the chakras, which is probably the most common approach,” Gerri elaborated.

Even though the basalt and jade stones are excellent for balancing the energy body, many therapists opt for a set of seven semi-precious chakra crystal stones for harmonizing body, mind and spirit. Depending on the therapist’s preferences and a client’s needs, chakra stones might include Amethyst, Sodalite, Turquoise, Rose Quartz, Tiger’s Eye, Jasper, Bloodstone, Moonstone, Citrine, Garnet, Tourmaline, Opal, Coral, and Amber.

Gerrianne described how she maintains her stones: “The stones are maintained by cleaning thoroughly between sessions using warm water and soap, and then sprayed with alcohol to eliminate bacteria.” Because Gerri recognizes the stones for the natural elements they truly are, periodically she will “charge” her stones in the sun.

There is one more element that completes a hot stone massage—the selection of essential oil blended with the massage oil or lotion.

“A variety of essential oils can be used to increase the effectiveness of the session, according to the client’s needs. Essential oils, derived from herbs and flowers, can enhance the relaxation effect and have medicinal properties for the relief of muscle soreness and tension,” added Gerrianne.

During my hot stone treatment, Gerrianne incorporated lavender and citrus essential oils. She placed basalt stones in my palms, the small of my back and along the chakras centers. I was amazed that a substance so hard could be so gently stimulating and soothing at the same time. The heat held by the stones is instantly relaxing while the gentle pressure created by the stone’s weight (which is not more than a few ounces) energizes the area. This combination of warmth, pressure, and movement of the therapist’s hands rapidly induced relaxation. Not more than fifteen minutes into this ninety-minute treatment, I felt a deep cleansing wash through my body and mind.

I have a cyst behind my knee that will be removed surgically as this issue of Inner Tapestry goes to press. Before the massage, I was experiencing pain and tension deep into in my calf, foot and hip. I always have a nagging ache around my knee. As Gerrianne worked her “magic” with the stones, I could feel the heat drawing out the tension and toxins that accumulate in injured muscle tissue and joints. By the end of the session, my muscles were warm, tingly and moving as freely as lava flows. Emotionally and mentally, I felt somehow lighter, focused and creatively engaged at a higher level than usual.

That’s the '‘magic" of a hot stone massage!

Body Wellness is located in the Willowbrook Plaza on Willowbrook Road in Cromwell, CT. (860) 632-2639 www.gobodywellness.com e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Body Wellness is a growing office always looking for ways to offer clients a more beneficial and healing experience. Each session is tailored to the unique needs of the client. Body Wellness is handicapped accessible. As we continue to grow, we look forward to offering therapeutic facials and body treatments.

Resources: http://www.lastonetherapy.com/Index.asp

http://www.amlstonesource.com http://www.gemstones.org

http://www.amtamassage.org (American Massage Therapy Association)

Medical Footnote Precaution:

Hot stone therapy is not recommended for people with high blood pressure or pregnant women as their core temperature should not be raised from the heat of the stones. This article is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to suggest treatment for any medical condition. Please consult with your physician/health care provider before having any type of massage therapy treatment.

Side Bar: As the story goes, sometime in 1993, Mary Nelson was enjoying a sauna with a relative. She has described hearing the stones “call to her” to apply them to her skin. So, she picked up the stones and began massaging with the stones instead of just the power of her hands. Over a period of time, she had several visions and received messages through dreams about how to conduct massage with stones. After a period of study of ancient methods of stone treatments, she perfected LaStone Therapy. Now, there are a variety of massage therapy schools offering variations of hot/cold stone massage. Still, the most respected are those that are based in Hawaiian culture.

Karen M. Rider, M.A. is a freelance writer specializing in holistic and metaphysical subjects. Her articles, profiles, book reviews and promotional copy appear in local, regional and national publications including Door Opener, Natural Nutmeg, Angels Among Us, Dream Network Journal and The Writer magazine. Karen also writes fiction centered on the awakening of human-spiritual potential. Her first novel is underway. She is co-writing “Eating . . .The Angel Way” with intuitive medium Annie Kelleher due to publish in 2010. Karen lives in Cromwell, CT. Learn more: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (860) 638-8140  Blog: www.thewritingparent.blogspot.com