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A stone massage is a form of alternative medicinemassage involving the placement of either heated or cooled stones on the body, aiming to bring pain relief and relaxation.[1] There are many variations in the stones' usage, their placement and positioning, derived from a wide range of ancient and traditional practices.[2] Stone massages are primarily used to alleviate physical pain and promote relaxation and stress reduction.[1]
Stone massages and similar practices, involving placing objects of various temperatures on the body, have been dated back to ancient civilizations as a form of healing and therapy.[1] Some say that the practice originated 5,000 years ago, with the ancient Indian medicinal system of Ayurveda. [1] Cultures including Native American, Hawaiian, Japanese, and many South Pacific nations have practiced similar methods for therapeutic or ceremonial purposes.[2] The traditional Hawaiian healing massage ‘lomilomi’ involves the use of warmed Lomi stones to increase areas of blood flow in the body to support relaxation and circulation .[3] Similar practices in China dating back 2,000 years involved the use of heated stones to stimulate improved internal organ function and improve energy flow.[2] Such traditional practices have evolved and influenced the application of modern stone massage practices.
In 1993, stone massage techniques re-emerged when Mary D. Nelson, an American massage therapist; developed a form of massage utilizing hot and cold stones referred to as ‘LaStone Therapy’.[1] This form gained widespread attention and became a multi-million dollar industry. [4] Numerous modern forms of stone massage combine techniques from Swedish massage and deep tissue massage.[5]
Technique
Stone massage therapy using stones on client
Volcanic stones, such as basalt, are completely submerged in hot water, typically at temperatures between 38 and 60 degrees Celsius (100 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit). Stones should never be warmed up with any medium other than water. [1] Stones can also be placed in chilled water to achieve a temperature between -5 to 25 degrees Celsius (25 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit). The use of a calibrated thermometer is common and recommended to reach ideal temperatures.[5] To maintain skin hydration, massage oils or lotions are commonly applied to the client's skin.[5] If hot stones are used, the client also needs to drink more water, due to an increase in body temperature.[5] A sheet or towel is often placed on the client's body to provide a barrier between the hot or cold stones and their bare skin, to prevent potential discomfort caused by significant changes in temperature, or to avoid burns in case of excessively heated stones.[5] The stones are placed on the client, depending on the areas of concern and needing treatment, such as the back, legs, arms, or feet. During the massage, the stones are then held by the therapist and pressed into the muscles, acting as an extension of their hands.[6]
Stones must be consistently monitored to ensure they remain at a safe temperature, to ensure safe application and optimize client comfort.[5]
Some therapists may also perform a Swedish massage with the application of stones to warm and relax the muscles.[7] The duration of stone massages typically ranges from 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the technique used and the needs of the client.[7]
Training
Due to the potential dangers and harms, massage therapists wanting to use stone massage should undergo appropriate professional training.[5] It's important to know the correct adaption of the practice to the needs and current condition of a client, and methods to incorporate stone massages into other massage practices.[8] Certification from professionally recognized massage associations is mandatory to conduct a stone massage in a professional setting. Internationally, to maintain professional standards, stone massage therapists can obtain Continuing Professional Education (CPE) points which can be achieved through training programs and courses.[9] With the potential dangers and risks associated with the practice, a range of liability insurance options are available for therapists conducting stone massages.[10] It is highly recommended to obtain background knowledge and training in the principles of hydrotherapy to safely carry out stone massage therapy.[6]
Koledža
Mary Nelson, creator of modern stone massage through LaStone Therapy, argued for the need for extensive training and instruction in the field.[11] Nelson developed a group of trained therapists to teach and train the practice internationally and produced informational videos to highlight effective methods of stone massage.[11]
Effectiveness
Benefits
Reported benefits of the practice include stimulation of blood flow in the circulatory system through the heat and movement of the stones.[1] Stone massages can also ease muscle pain and, often, the presence of muscle tension and spasms, by helping relieve muscle tension through the application of heat and movement experienced during the practice to access deeper tissues.[12]
Many also engage in the practice for mental benefits including relaxation.[weaselwords][2] Studies have shown that stone massages and related therapies have assisted in improving sleep quality for individuals. A study conducted at the Urmia University of Medical Sciences found that basalt hot stone massage therapy "can successfully contribute in reducing sleep disturbances, improving quality of sleep and enhancing comfort level”.[13] The study applied five specialized stones to the perineal, sacral bone, naval, middle of the chest, and base of the neck areas to stimulate an enhancement of sleep quality.[13]
The use of stones can reduce physical stress on a massage therapist. As the stones carry out the majority of the contact and work with the client, the incidence of stress and strain in the therapist's hands, wrists, and upper body can be reduced.[1] The use of stones may reduce the physical strain on a therapist’s hands and wrists during treatment for the therapist.[1]
Risks
There are several dangers and risks associated with stone massage therapy. A major issue is high-temperature objects being placed on the skin. Improper heating, leading to unsafe or uneven temperatures, can raise the potential for burns.[5]
Certain medical conditions can increase the risks involved in receiving a stone massage. Medical conditions including diabetes, epilepsy, skin conditions, heart disease, and neuropathy are contraindications for stone massage.[5] Clients with recent skin or shallow abrasions such as cuts, burns, bruising, and varicose veins are advised to avoid stone massages as this therapy has the potential to increase further injury or greater concerns such as tissue damage.[12] Such conditions or minor injuries also pose a risk for higher chances of infection from bacterial exposure from the stones, massage oils, or the masseuse.[12]
Being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol largely impedes the safety and effectiveness of stone massage therapy. The impairment of such substances often limits an individual's judgment and impulse control, which are necessary to actively engage in a stone massage.[12] Participation and contribution from the client are essential due to the risk and uncertainty of reaction to the temperature of the stones, a reaction that could be largely desensitized due to the effects of alcohol or drugs.[14]
Pseudoscience
Scientifically unsupportable claims are sometimes made for medical benefits, by massage therapists. Some forms of stone massage emphasize concepts such as chakras alignment and energy flow,[11] but this is not typically supported by science. While stone massages may be pleasant, relatively harmless, and could have a positive outcome for the client, it is important to see a relevant medical professional for proper assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of any pain/medical concern.
Misconceptions
Media misrepresentations of stone massage can lead to misconceptions concerning the practice. Mainstream representation of the massage often involves the stones being directly placed on the client's skin, whilst the real-life application of the practice rarely involves this method, instead using a cloth or towel to prevent stones from making direct contact with the skin.[15] Many individuals avoid the practice due to fear of burns or pain from this widespread misconception.[16] It is often wrongly thought that the massage is a set, standard practice and routine that is applied to every client.[15] Professional treatments vary depending on the needs of the client and the skills of the therapist. Depictions of the practice commonly show the stones arranged in an orderly pattern down the centre of the client's back, tracing the spine. The specialist stones are placed all around the body, commonly avoiding the crevice of the spine, focusing on the client’s specific muscle groups or tension points.[15]
Supply Companies and Industries
As stone massages utilised equipment and techniques that were new to the massage industry, several stone supply companies were developed to fulfil specialized demands. Firms such as Desert Stone People, RubRocks, and Nature’s Stones Inc. became prominent suppliers and distributors of the stones to spas and parlours predominantly across the United States. The development of equipment suited towards heating and cooling the stones was also essential in establishing adequate and safe applications of this process, with products such as the ‘Spa-Pro Massage Stone Heater’ being designed and distributed.[11]
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Nelson, Mary (2010). "(Don't feel the burn): hot stone massage can be a real benefit to clients. The stones are at a safe temperature if the therapist can comfortably hold the stones in their bare hands for more than five seconds at a time. But, a massage therapist needs to make sure they fully understand this modality". Massage Therapy Journal. 49.
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