Hot stone massage with heat that is checked first
Hot stone massage adds warmed stones to a draped massage. The stones are there for slow pressure and a warm surface. They are not a medical heat treatment.
What the session involves
Stones are heated in water and tested on a less sensitive area, or against the practitioner’s wrist, before they rest on you. A stone that feels pleasant on the back of the hand can still be too much on the spine. You get the last word.
Some stones are placed and left for a short time on areas such as the palms or alongside the spine, never directly on the bone if that feels sharp. Others are oiled and moved the way a slow Swedish stroke would move. When a stone cools, it is replaced or the hands take over.
You remain draped. Stones do not go on the face, on broken skin, or on any place you have asked to skip. If you do not want stones placed and only want them used as tools in the hands, say that.
Who may want this session
People choose hot stone massage when they want warmth with the massage and a slower pace. It can pair well with a relaxation request. It can also be combined with firmer strokes if you ask and if the confirmed time allows a hot stone and deep tissue combination.
Do not request this session, or expect it to be declined, if you have reduced feeling in the skin, a loss of sensation from diabetes or another condition, a heat allergy, open skin, a fresh burn, or a fever. Pregnancy belongs in the inquiry as well. This site does not offer a prenatal hot stone service.
Varicose veins, a new injury, and areas of inflammation should be pointed out so they can be avoided. The practitioner is not diagnosing them.
Session length
Heating and placing stones takes a few minutes at the start. Very short visits leave little time for both the heat and the massage. Ask by phone or email whether stones can be included in the length you want.
What to expect
You will feel weight as well as warmth. The weight should feel steady, not like a stone is about to roll. If it does, say so. The practitioner should remove any stone the moment you ask.
Skin can look pink where a stone rested. That color should fade quickly. Blistering, lasting pain, or a burn is not an acceptable result. Stop the session and seek medical care if the skin is injured.
You may feel deeply warm afterward. Give yourself a minute before you stand. Water is available if you want it. There is no detox claim attached to sweating or to the heat.
How to prepare
Mention numbness, pregnancy, blood-thinning medication, or a skin condition in the inquiry so the studio can say yes or no before you arrive. Do not arrive sunburned. Remove jewelry. Eat lightly.
Practical notes
Stone massage and hot rock massage are names people use for the same general idea. On this site the service is hot stone massage as described here, not a lava-rock ritual and not a medical hydrotherapy treatment.
Stones are cleaned between uses. You should not see oil left in a way that makes the next stone slippery to hold. If a stone feels slick or too hot, it should leave your skin immediately.
Pricing
If stones change the price of a visit, that change is stated when the appointment is offered. See pricing.
Questions
How are the stones used?
Stones are warmed and checked before they touch the skin. Some rest on the body for a short time. Others are held and moved slowly, a little like the heel of the hand. They are not left in place if they feel too warm.
Who should skip hot stone massage?
Say so if you have reduced sensation, a heat sensitivity, broken skin, a fresh injury, or you are pregnant. A hot stone session is not automatically adapted for those situations, and it may not be offered.
Does the heat treat pain or illness?
Warmth can feel soothing. Hot stone massage is not medical heat therapy and does not treat injury, arthritis, circulation disorders, or chronic pain.
Can stones be combined with deeper pressure?
Some sessions use the stones for slower, firmer strokes. If you want that, say so when you call or email. The website form does not confirm whether that combination is available.
Related sessions
The request does not hold a time.