As far as I know Basalt or Lava stones hold heat the best. No one should ever work with a stone of 120 degrees F; if the stone is being directly placed on the skin you will for sure burn your client or yourself. The water temperature should be 120 degrees F or higher, this will kill most of the bacteria in the water. That is the reason why you must keep a bowl of cool water at your station; this is how I control the temperature of the stones for my clients. I start of with warm stones and as my client gets used to the change of temperature, I can work with warmer stones and stay within their heat and pressure tolerance. I do not do hot/warm stone massage without cool stones although I will use cool alone. All stones will hold heat and if left in the water long enough will become the temperature of the water. The question is how long will they stay hot and how long does it take for them to get hot?

so would you suggest that I buy stones that are advertised for doing hot stone massage?

it takes 30-45 seconds ( so to be absolutely sure place stones in hot water for at least a minute) for a basalt stone to attain the heat of the water. The stone will retain the heat depending of the application and the clients response to the heat therapy. As faar as buying specific stones. black smooth stones hold the heat better than red or green basalt. but you can experiement.

Comment by noreen zakrajsek on October 22, 2009 at 2:09pm Hello
I have some wonderful special stones that I picked up off the shores of Lake Michigan on the morning of September,2001. They came from such a beautiful area up in northern Mi. because of the history of them,I strongly feel that they are sacred.
But I do often wonder about possibly they do not hold the heat as long as some others may. I don't know for sure because this is all I have ever used.
They look like Basalt stones,But I am not sure.They are smooth and black.
Can someone tell me, do I need to look into different stones? Do I need to purchase them? That would be a big bummer,being that I live so close to the Great Lakes!
I definitely would appreciate ones that hold the warmth longer. I heat my stones up in a large roaster. THis was how I was taught.
For treatments unplanned, I will sometime just place them in a bowl to heat up in the microwave, for a short treatment of pleasure for my clients that are speical.

Thanks for your insight.
Namaste

------------------------------------------------------------
My aswer:
Well I'm not an expert but according to my mind, the volcanic stone are the best to keep the temperature, when it's from the sea, the salt keep impregnate at the stone, and its a better conductor of hot. The stone recollected at lakes lost the temperature most easy. And other little think, isn't good put stone at the micro, just warm the water.

Well, have a wellness week

(Sorry if something it's write bad, my english is terrible, good luck)

For all of you friends on facebook, I envite you to become a fan of Massage Warehouse to get news, tips, and sneak peek looks at upcoming sales!
come join the fun!
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I am about to start doing hot stone massage at my job, used to do it before but haven't done one in a long time. My training is nov 25th, wish me luck! :)

Just wanted to mention that I did a hot stone massage on a man who had particularly hairy legs. He told me he had one before and he didn't like it because it hurt! Whoever did it before did not use enough massage oil, causing the stones to pull the hair out of his legs...ouch! Be sure to oil the legs first and then also oil the stones before using them on hairy legs or other body parts. This time he said it was very smooth and comfortable and he really enjoyed it.The more oil the better as a smooth glide is key to a good hot stone massage.

Thanks Pat. I just did my first two professional Hot Stones Massage this week. They both went very well. I was pleased.

Darcy,

Were they on hairy men? LOL

No Pat. Both were ladies! LOL

Were they hairy ladies? ;)

lol

No Hairy Ladies here. Tonight I am sharing in a couples Hot Stone Massage. This is going to be very interesting and I hope a lot of fun!

Remember Darcy lots of oil!!!! ;)

Yes I got it. I will remember. Lots of oil!

The couples Hot Stone Massage went very well tonight. I was so pleased. Yes, I received the man, and yes I did use too much oil on his hairy legs. LOL

Ha ha that's great Darcy! :)

Finally done with my training and have started to do hot stone on real clients! Did my first one yesterday and she said she will come back again!

Oh Pat that is great. I am doing about 3 a week now as we just started offering them this month. So I expect that to pick up. So far all my sessions have gone very well and I have been real pleased.

Shells! I have got a few questions this week from therapists wanting to know about using shells to do therapy. Does anyone use these or have a story to share about them?

CAN ANYONE DIRECT ME ON THE BEST PLCAE TO BUY A FEW STONES? i WOULD LIKE TO TRY THE BASALT ONES NOW. MIND FROM LAKE MICHIGAN DON'T HOLD THE HEAT TO WELL.
WHERE IS THE BEST PRICED ONES FROM?

I have been doing several hot stone sessions a week and they have been a hit! Maybe the freezing cold temps in the Chicago area have something to do with it! I have two more today and several more of my clients are on the books in the future. Adding hot stone was a good choice for me, it gave me another specialty to offer my clients and has increased my client base rather quickly. I highly recommend adding hot stone if you don't already do it.

Try Bodyworks Mall Noreen. I purchased my first set at the World Massage Festival last Aptil and then added to it from Bobyworks Mall and they were very reasonably priced.

Noreen,

You will find many stone set on my site as well www.spiriphysical.com. You want to make sure you get the proper set for the type of massage you want to provide. I believe cool stones are the most impotent temp we work with. Is cool stones part of your sessions? Wishing you all the best in your stone journey.

As I mentioned in one of the discussions in this group, you can get basalt stones cheap if you buy them from a landscaping supplier. They are called "Mexican River Pebbles". I got mine in bulk for only $30 for a 70 lb. bag (a little over 5 gallons), but I've seen smaller amounts available. The advantage of buying in bulk, other than the price, is that you can pick out the stones that best fit your hand rather than having someone else pick them out for you.

Grab your phone book and call around to see what's available.

Another option is going to Ebay! That's where I got the bulk of my stones. Some of the others which I use for laying on top of the body (over a blanket & covered by towels to retain their heat) came from the banks of the Delaware River, next to where I live & have my practice.

I've been doing hot stone therapy for five years now. While my clients love them, I admit that I'm still growing into them and always learning. I have educated my maternity massage clients about "mother roasting" performed in China for post-maternity therapy. A few are looking forward to this following the deliver in the coming weeks. I'm also studying Sabai Thai Herbal Ball treatment from my therapist from Thailand. It has the heat therapy of hot stones plus the aromatherapy from the herbal samples in the muslim balls. It is very relaxing and restorative. I admit not trying the cold stone treatments because of the added expenses and lack of first hand experience.

If you are not using cold stones you are missing a huge option for your clients...they feel awful in the hands of the un-skilled so you need to get a good education, but once you learn how to work with these healers, you will never know how you managed without them...As much as I love working with marble and jade for my cold stone work ....it is not necessary at all... I spent over 20 years using cold basalt...they freeze fine (temp even lasts longer than marble as it acts more like jade)
In ancient times the stones were taken from the ocean or river waters for cold therapy while the sun baked hot ones from the beach offered heat. This new addition of cut marble and jade is a lovely professional addition that I would not trade in my teaching profession...but don't let cost hold you up on using cold...just chill your basalt and try it...always remember the trick with cold application is deep, firm pressure with no movement ..have fun all you Stone Walkers!
Jenny Ray

I am in complete agreement - throw them out into the ocean and gather fresh ones.

Well put Jenny ; I think cool/cold temperatures are the most important temps we use in helping the body heal. We can create heat with our hands but not cold. Hydro Therapy is one of the most powerful healing modalities we have and one of the most misunderstood. We need to increase our knowledge which enables us to educate our clients. I would highly suggest looking into Kneipp therapy, Europe and Asia are way ahead of us.

Looking for a high end stone heaters any thoughts?

Dear Roberta,
I am sorry to be so clumsy on this 'group', face-book thingy..so your note is below for those who may wish to see what this reply is about.....
..
The only 'authority' who has done any valid research on sanitation and safety is the Geothermal Therapy Association (GTA).... It is made up of practitioners from around the world in many expressions and modalities of stone therapy. They have no ax to grind, no specific courses to sell...they are honestly working in research for the highest standards in safety with regard to temperature, contraindications, sanitation and hygiene.
All guidelines have been researched through the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) the National Burn Institute and a variety of other professional groups and associations....
If you follow the guidelines stated in other postings by me on sanitation...you have the information GTA is interested in sharing.
They are nearly prepared to make everything available to the world through a CE home study course on sanitation, hygiene, temperature controls and safety, contraindications for temperatures ...the Handbook is at the editors as we speak and the written exam is completed. This is on its way to NCBTMB for accreditation...
Once the CE's are in place this information will be available for download on the web site...I'll keep this group posted. We should all take this course and then join this association to support on going research to help protect our modality...

A message from Roberta Bleckner to all members of Stone Therapy on massage and bodywork professionals!

I'm tired of hearing everyone's different method to sanitize basalt stones. Is there definitive research on the absolute correct protocol? I have an Infectious Disease doctor who believes the risk of cross contamination is real since the stones are porous and remain wet inside for nearly forever which can retain an active virus, bacteria, fungus, etc. Please advise!
Roberta Bleckner (new member still navigating!)

Jenny Ray,
Thank you for your very informative reply! I'd like to read your info ASAP and also have a kind of hard time navigating this 'thingie." Any shortcuts to guide me to your postings?
Thanks!
Roberta

Deep Tissue Healing "The Art of Stone Massage"

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Greetings Stone Walkers,
I just got home from Australia where the stones are dancing full on mate!! Lots of different expressions of Geothermal therapy being taught 'down under' and like here in the states many of the same issues turn up. Burns and infections being the most serious. Poor education and lack of formal criteria.
The Geothermal therapy Association has finished its new program to help with some of that...
They now have 6 hr. CE course available that focuses on training in temperature safety, contraindications, sanitation and professional equipment. The cool thing is the course is only $125 and includes a one year membership in the association.
Check it out at www.geothermaltherapy.com
I'm off to Kentucky in the a.m. to the World Massage Festival..hope to see some of you there. I'll be working in the GTA booth along with another board member Janelle Lakman.
Take care of U,
Jenny

Come for a visit to Arizona, we have hundreds of miles of perfect high iron and copper stones just laying in the dry river bottom, spend a afternoon (not during the summer) hand picking your favorites for free.

Hey Brian, Yup the AZ stones are hard to beat! Several of the best suppliers in the business are located in Tucson and Phoenix. Problem I found when I was just driving the back roads to do my own gathering, was how to stay off of private land or not trespass on mining claims. Had no idea until I visited AZ that folks actually place a claim on surface stone, I thought that was for the gold guys...turns out gravel companies and landscaping companies have huge tracts of land tied up under BLM mining claims. Next time I'll have more days to play and do a bit of research before I head out with my backpack and sombrero!!...thanks

Hi Jenny, Yea you have to be careful where you tread, I have had no problem finding stones, but I am not picking up stones to sell, thats where they get up tight about the mineral rights. Let me know if you come out, and I will send you a map to areas to pick from. And dont for get your water!

Thanks Brian!!
I'll be in Tucson teaching in Nov...then back to Tubac @ Kenyon Ranch Resort to facilitate a retreat for body workers in Feb....would love a Gathering Ceremony while I'm there...(I'm a northwest bear clan woman so you won't find me in your lovely dessert during summer as I need gallons of water to survive it in spring and fall!!..ha,ha,ha) any suggested locations would be appreciated!

Mankind has been drawn to stones and gems throughout history. Some hear but do not listen to the voices of the ancient ones. A few hear them and understand. But we feel their power and draw near.

I had something kind of unusual happen to me as I gave a hot stone massage yesterday. The woman got about half way through and then suddenly told me she was too hot and was starting to have a panic attack. I did not want her to be uncomfortable so I told her I would finish the massage without the stones. She still says she was too hot for a while even with no stone and no heat on the table. She told me she just went to a wake that day and was still emotional and then told me she was menopausal as well. She was finally able to relax near the end of the massage. She felt badly about it but I tried to reassure her that hot stone is not for everyone. Obviously being menopausal does not help her handle heat well but I was wondering what the emotional aspect had to do with the feeling of panic she had? Any thought or comments and has this ever happened with any of your clients? This is the first time it every happened to me.

Pat, she went to a Wake that same day! That is the answer to your question. She probably has some kind of grief that she has not dealt with and it all came out in your session.

Yes but I was wondering if the stones were the reason it came out or would it have come out anyway? The energy of the stones coupled with the feeling of panic she had, fear of death perhaps? Being buried under stones? Interesting thoughts to ponder.

Cold stones must be offered to everyone to avoid overheating the system and especially those with menopause symptoms...stones can only empower and can only rejuvenate with spring and winter seasons...

Where I work they only allow Hot stone.

Massage Envy only doies Hot Stones.

I did two more hit stones massages today, first a woman and then a guy. The woman LOVED it, the guy was enjoying it but then got overheated, so I had to take the stones off of him for a while until he cooled down. Once he cooled off he said he really liked it, he did enjoy the heat only not so much at one time. Both left happy.
Darcy have you been doing the Deep Muscle Therapy at Massage Envy yet? I have not done one yet. I was wondering if your clients were finding it beneficial? I would start to recommend it if I thought it was useful.

I have only one client at this time who now does the Deep Muscle Therapy all the time on his back. He is the only client I have done any Deep Muscle Therapy on. I have also only done 1 Aroma Therapy session as well. Some of the other therapists are doing much more of both choices. I am finding they do not want to pay the up charge. They think it is too much. Several of us were already using Biofreeze on our clients before Massage Envy introduced it Oct 1 and we were not charging any extra for it. I have also found that they either love Hot Stones or they hate it. The majority loves it though is my experience. I am doing about 4 or so Hot Stones Session in a week. Sometimes 2 in a day.

Darcy how does your client like the Deep Muscle therapy?

He likes it very well. He receives it every time he comes in now.