Stone Therapy
August 7, 2008
Go to any spa these days for a bit of ‘Me Time’ and you can be sure that stone therapy will be one of the therapies utilised on you. Dating back thousands of years, in the past five or more years, this treatment has grown in popularity just like many other alternative therapies.
With its roots in India, hot stones have been used by many ancient cultures to cure various ailments. Ayurveda, an ancient healing tradition from India believes an energy source called Prana flows through the body, similar to the Chinese belief of Qi. Using breathing techniques, meditation and yogic poses, Indian yogis work with this energy source to harness prana for healing. Traditionally, natural tools like herbs, flowers, crystals and heated stones are also used to yoke this energy for positive purposes.
Originally, healers picked up stones from river beds and warmed them over hot coals or with hot water. They then placed these heated stones along the main energy centres of the body, in order to stimulate an internal healing process.
They believed that the flow or paths of energy could be used to rebalance the physical body, mind and spirit. They used seven semi-precious stones in most treatments in an effort to balance the chakra centres.
Smooth stones make for excellent thermo-therapy tools as they have excellent heat retention capabilities. Hot stones help to relax muscles, thereby relaxing clients, which means the healer can work deeper and more specifically than in the case of a regular massage treatment. Since, heat immediately relaxes muscles, hot stone therapy is ideal for drawing out muscle pain and discomfort.
With no single way to practise hot stone therapy, treatments vary from spa to spa. Some, as in the traditional manner use ritualistic techniques while placing stones on energy, which also involves lying on hot stones covered with cloth. Others may combine the gliding techniques used in Swedish and Lomi-Lomi massages, where the therapist covers hot stones with oil and then uses them to iron out tense muscles.
Hot stones are applied to the body’s pressure points and other problem areas. Stone therapy also adopts reflexology practices, as the feet contain nerve endings that connect with all other areas of the body. Therapists place small hot stones between the toes to stimulate the nerve endings in the feet, while also massaging the feet using with them, just as a reflexologist would.
Therapists also use a cold marble and hot stones combination for lymphatic drainage, as well as, for effectively increasing general circulation to vascular-restricted areas of the body.
You don’t have to believe in prana energy or chakras to enjoy the sensual, totally relaxing and deeply therapeutic treatment of hot stone therapy. Just try it once to be hooked forever!
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