Hot stone massage can be practiced at home as a relaxing and theraputic treatment.
Hot stone massage involves heating particular kinds of smooth stones, often basalt, in a specialized water heater and then placing them on targeted points on the body. As well as calming the mind, the heat opens the muscles and relaxes the joints, which allows the practitioner to penetrate deeper into the tissues than is possible with regular massage. Given these benefits, hot stone massage is used as a therapy to treat arthritis, anxiety, stress, back pain, depression, insomnia and poor circulation, or simply to promote relaxation (References 1, 2 & 3). Performing a hot stone massage on yourself is impractical, but you can treat a friend or partner to one in the comfort of their own home.
Instructions
1. Place a white hand towel in the bottom of the stone heater. (Reference 4)
2. Arrange the stones in a layer on top of the hand towel.
3. Fill the heater 2/3 full with water, completely submerging the stones.
4. Cover the heater with the lid provided.
5. Plug the heater in to a power source and switch on.
6. Set the temperature dial to between 120 and 130 degrees or "low."
7. Remove the lid after 15 minutes and use a thermometer to check the water has been heated to between 120 and 130 degrees. (The water should be the correct temperature by this time, but leave for another two minutes before checking the temperature again if needed.)
8. Begin using the stones only once the correct temperature is reached.
Tags: stone massage, between degrees, correct temperature, hand towel