Stone massage

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Hot Stone Massage is a Swedish Relaxation style of massage that uses smooth, heated Basalt stones.

The stones are round or oval, of varying sizes and weights. Some stones are the size of the tip of your thumb (these are used between the toes), while others can be very large - 2 or 3 pounds in weight. These larger stones are normally used on the sacrum or low abdomen.

The stones are heated using water, and the temperature ranges from 120-135 degrees Fahrenheit.

[edit] Technique

The therapist glides the stones over the skin smoothly, sometimes using the stones to apply pressure in large muscle areas. Often the stones are just laid out on the body - along the spine, in or on the hands, etc.

This massage is quite gentle in comparison with Therapeutic or deep tissue massage, but it has many similar benefits. This massage may be more suitable for those individuals that prefer a lighter massage, but need depth. The heat from the stones relaxes muscles and often increases an individual's tolerance of pressure.