Hot stone massage is a massage where the therapist places smooth warmed massage stones on specific points of your body. The stones, when left in place, transmits heat deep into your body and relaxes your muscles. The therapist may also use the stones as tools to massage your body.

It is an intensely satisfying experience.

Benefits of hot stones therapy

Historically, stone therapy could be commonly  found in many cultures, such as China, Americas, Africa, Europe, Egypt, India and Ancient Greece and Rome.  It has now become a widespread and global method of massage therapy. It is often combined with other massage techniques. 

The reason for its longevity and increasing popularity is simple: It works!

Hot stones therapy helps to:

• relax tense muscles,
• relief pain, strains and aches,
• relieve mental and physical stress,
  
• promote sleep,
• improve blood circulation and metabolism,
• relax the mind and spirit,
• improve overall health and energize the body.

This means that apart from overall well-being, it is particularly useful for people with specific conditions such as:

• neck, shoulder and/or back pain;
• leg pain;
• muscle strains;
• stress and anxiety;
• rheumatic and arthritic conditions;
• fibromyalgia;
• insomnia;
• depression; and
• poor circulation.

How to Start

If you would like to try hot stones therapy for the first time, you could
1. make an appointment with a spa that offers such a service, or
2. you could get a small set of starter stones kit to try it out on your own.

Visiting a spa

If it is your first time at the spa, you will be asked a pre-treatment questionnaire. Do inform your therapist of any health conditions. During the therapy, do not suffer in silence. Always tell your therapist if the stones are too hot or if you don’t feel comfortable. This is supposed to be a sublime experience for you.

getting your own stones

While it is always best to receive a massage treatment from a professional, it may be impractical, costly or time-consuming to visit a spa all the time. A cheaper alternative is to get your own stones and enjoy hot stones at home at your convenience.

If you are interested in getting your very own set of stones, here is a useful starter kit that is the best place to begin your hot stone journey. This set is carefully curated to include the best combination of essential stones that you will need.