“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” That is an observation that Lao Tzu, the Chinese philosopher and founder of Taoism, made. The essence of this expression is that starting a task is a major part of completing it. Fortunately, performing hot stone therapy does not require 1,000 steps. However, it DOES involve some major steps that the therapist should take in a sequential order. Here is the basic protocol:

1. Prepare the client

First, drape the patient by using a method that makes him or her comfortable. It is important to communicate with the patient, to ensure that he or she is comfortable during the entire process.

2. Prepare the stones

Therapists typically use a set of basalt stones, which originate from a volcano. The stones vary in size: large, medium and small. Usually therapists use special machines built specifically for hot stones, to heat the stones. You can add scents to the water, to give the stones a certain aroma. Make sure to sanitize the stones, to ensure that the bacteria are destroyed.

3. Place the stones on the patient’s body

You should place the largest stones on the largest parts of the body, such as the shoulders and hips. The next step is to place medium-sized stones on places such as either side of the spine. Finally, you should place the tiniest stones in areas such as between fingers and toes.

It is important to handle the stone carefully. They are quite hot, so use tongs to keep them safe. Wipe the stones on a towel before placing them on the patient’s bodies, so they do not slide. Also, communicate with the patient while placing the stones on the body. If he or she reveals that they are too hot, then you may need to let them cool for a while. Then you can place them on the patient’s body.

4. Remove the stones

After about 20 minutes, you should remove the stones from the patient’s body. It is best to begin with the heaviest stones, and then move onto the smaller stones. Continue communicating with the patient, to ensure that he or she is comfortable. If you see some redness on the patient’s skin, have no fear! This is simply a sign that the patient’s skin has absorbed some of the stone’s heat. It will not leave a permanent mark.

5. Perform the massage using a certain method

After removing the stones, you can use a particular massage style, such as Swedish or Shiatsu. It is important to massage the body soon after removing the heated stones. This is because the muscles are still supple, making the massage more effective.

When performing a hot stone massage, it is important to conduct the activity by using a careful step-by-step process. This will ensure that the patient remains safe and relaxed. A hot stone massage may not include 1,000 steps, but the first one, the last one, and all of the ones in between—are equally important!

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