Hot Stone Massage Orange

Hot stone massage is a popular spa treatment and a fun alternative to typical body massages. As the name suggests, this treatment uses warm, smooth stones, usually basalt stones, for massaging the client. Before the treatment begins, the stones are warmed in water. They are then placed on various parts of the body, and the therapist uses them to work into the muscles.

Placing these hot stones on the areas that have pain or tension can feel very relaxing and comforting for the body. The smooth, flat, warm stones help to calm the mind while releasing tension in the body. Some masseuses or masseurs who also believe in the benefits of energy healing will place the heated stones on the specific points in the body that are thought to be along the energy lines, (known in the traditional forms of Chinese medicine as meridians) or they will place them directly on top of the energy centers or chakras.

This type of hot stone massage can help relax muscles, improve circulation in the body, relieve various aches or pains as well as release stress and tension. The therapist uses the warm stones for massaging the body parts that are suffering the most from tension. For many people these areas of tension will be in the shoulders, lower back or neck.

It is not necessary to be suffering from a specific pain or muscular ache in order to get benefit from this kind of massage, it can be used to simply spoil and pamper yourself. Any massage can be an effective way to reduce stress or anxiety as well as numerous stress-related problems, however, using massage techniques in conjunction with the wonderfully relaxing aspects of heat coming from the warm stones can create a very special kind of tranquility or well-being. Anyone who suffers from sleep related problems caused by a lifestyle that is stressful or a busy mind that can not relax, should give a hot stone massage a try in helping them get a restful sleep.


A massage that uses heated stones might sound like a new type of spa treatment, but there have been similar techniques in use for many centuries by the world's most ancient cultures. Native American healers as well as healers in other cultures used to get stones from the riverbed, they would then boil a pot of water over a fire and warm the stones by dipping them into this water, the warm stones would then be placed on various areas of a person's body in order to relieve pain and tension.


Stone Therapy is the original stone massage, created by a US therapist Mary D. Nelson. She understood years ago that using a stone to enhance the massaging techniques can help the masseur to work deeper into the muscles and to the source of tension and pain. Other stone therapies are variations that are more modern from this original trademark treatment.


Hot stone massage is suitable for almost anyone. Some conditions it is not recommended for include recent injuries and inflammation, as you should never apply heat on a new injury (an ice pack is a better option). Some health conditions are contraindicated: skip a stone massage if you have open wounds, skin rashes or other acute skin problems, or if you are suffering from heart disease or have a history of blood clots. In most other situations, you can benefit from getting a massage to relax the body and the mind.