Feeling Chilly? Think Hot Stone Massage

Hydrostone Therapy

What is it? It is a healing therapy that is thousands of years old. This art of physical and spiritual balancing is a type of massage using heated basalt stones and cold marble stones depending on the needs of the client. It has gained a lot of popularity in massage therapy in recent years and with good reason. The stones are a gift and tool from nature that can be used to enhance the massage experience and bring a whole new dimension to the work of the therapist for the client to enjoy. The stones have a wonderful presence and energy that is in constant contact with the client's body and have a very nurturing sensation associated with them.

Benefits of Heated Stones

* Continuous heat therapy
* Increased local tissue metabolism
* Increased relief in stressed muscles
* Increased pliability of connective tissues
* Improved detoxification
* Increased lymphatic drainage

A sense of soothing that is associated with heat and warmth is a result of vasodilatation (increased blood flow); therefore many clients may desire this type of treatment for pain.

Conditions indicated for Hot Stone treatment

* Muscular tension and spasm
* Decreased range of motion
* Contracture
* Arthritis or other acute inflammations
* Wound healing
* Frostbite (with Dr.'s permission)
* Joint stiffness
* Chronic tension


Benefits of cold/cool stones

* Anesthetic effects
* Decreased edema
* Decreased stretch reflex
* Relax contracted muscles
* Decrease local blood flow and tissue metabolism

The application of cold to the body produces vasoconstriction (decreased blood flow) followed by vasodilatation. Cold therapy is the ideal treatment modality for acute injuries.

Conditions indicated for Cold Stone treatment

* Most acute or chronic inflammations
* Toothache
* Sunburn
* Bruises
* Edema
* Insect bites
* Menstrual cramps
* Acute sprains, strains or tears

Conditions that benefit from both Hot/ Cold Hydrostone Therapy

* Muscle tension
* Headache (cold stones are usually preferred)
* Atrophied muscles
* Overstimulation or inability to relax
* Pain (if underlying cause is known)


Hydrostone therapy may not be for you if you are experiencing these conditions

* Heart disease of cardiovascular conditions
* Peripheral vascular disease
* Severe diabetes
* Acute or chronic asthma
* Peripheral neuropathies or spinal cord injuries
* Pregnancy (room temperature stones or warmer are only used over extremities)
* Chronic fatigue

Clientele Testimonies
…a sensation of warmth glides over and through my body slowly melting away tensions of a lifetime.

…the therapeutic effects were incredible. My shoulder never felt so relaxed and mobile as after a hot and cold stone therapy session.

…I loved it! The integration of hands and warm river rocks gave me a whole new perspective to the word relaxation.

…the effects of this massage were so profound. They transcended both the physical and spiritual levels of my being.