Hot Stones Explained

I’m sure you’ve seen the images - black stones artfully arranged on a model’s back, intertwined with the blooms of an exotic flower <sigh>. I might disappoint you here. I won’t be balancing hot stones on your back (ouch!) and there won’t be a pink lily in sight. However, if you do book a hot and cold stone full body massage, I promise you are in for a treat!

The hot stones I use are polished basalt, an extremely dense volcanic rock that has heat-retaining properties. They come in various shapes and sizes, and are incredibly smooth and tactile, and a joy to work with (until you drop one, that is!).

First, I’ll arrange heated stones on the massage table to follow the contours of your back, cover them in a towel, and invite you to sink back and enjoy their soothing heat while you relax. I might then add one or more ‘placement’ stones to warm the belly (it works wonders for cramps). The feet and ankles get special treatment, as they’re wrapped in towels with warming stones secreted inside. If it works for you, the toes can be gently separated using warmed pebbles, encouraging ease in the often neglected toe joints.

For the massage, I heat the stones, apply a little oil to the skin and to the stones themselves, and then use them to create stroking and circling movements along the muscles. Whilst the stones are hot (around 45-50°C) they are held in the hand, so I know how warm they are to the touch at all times. When introducing a freshly heated stone, you might notice me ‘cat-pawing’ with them first, to gently introduce the heat and check that the temperature is right for you.

During the facial massage, I’ll also use chilled marble stones. The cooling effect is particularly soothing around the eyes and temples, but they can also be used help ease swelling in joints like the ankles or knees.

The combination of heat and the massaging action encourages tense muscles to relax, and stimulates blood flow which increases the amount of oxygen reaching the muscles. Most people find the application of heat very comforting and relaxing, and this treatment can really help with stress and anxiety as well as muscular aches and pains.

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