Nowadays, a stone massage therapy one of the most requested types of massage therapy in day spas and healing centers. It is a soothing way of relaxing the muscles and relieving tension in the whole body. This massage is used with a combination of a Swedish massage and hot massage stones placed on the client’s body.

The most commonly used stones are the basalt stones. These are a result of undersea volcanic eruptions and have silica and oxygen as its main elements. It is classified as an igneous rock and also rich in magnesium and iron which is an addition in its healing properties. 90% of the materials that escapes from a volcano are comprised of basalt stones. In its lava form, basalt is often soft and fragile.

These are smooth, black volcanic rocks that are ideal for massage treatments. The main reason for this is that it is capable of absorbing heat and retains them very well. This makes it a perfect tool for massage therapist. The basalt rock is very smooth because of the tiny grains in it.

In finding the perfect basalt stone collection, there are a lot of factors you should consider. Here are some of these considerations:

1. A significant quality of a massage stone is its capability to maintain heat, and retain it for long periods of time.

2. It is essential to utilize stones of diverse shapes and sizes. The masseuse must position the stones on specific body parts, so the wide array of stones will make the progression easier.

3. The most important factors for these basalt stones are its weight and density. These are good considerations in finding the best collection of basalt stones.

4. The perfect stones can be found by purchasing massage kits. These kits are composed of stones that have been buffed and treated, creating the wonderful stones for massage sessions.

A stone massage should be properly maintained and cleaned to be able to maximize its effectiveness. Once you have purchased your new collection of basalt stones, it is recommended you rinse them with warm water and apply essential oils to it. Let it sit awhile and allow it to absorb the oils.

Clean the stones properly before and after every session. This process is particularly important because aromatherapy oils are used during the massage session. You will need a brush and a bacterial soap to clean the stones. Ensure that the stones are dried completely so they will not become tarnished.

In boiling the stones, you should use river or sea water. This is the recommended type of water you need to use. Buy a proper heater designed especially for massage stones to ensure that all the stones are heated evenly. The stones are heated approximately 120-150 degree Fahrenheit.

There is a wide selection of basalt stones with different shapes and sizes. It has a healing property that is best for alleviating pain and releasing tension in the whole body. A hot stone massage therapy is certainly a pleasurable way of treating ailments such as insomnia, back pains and depression.

Stone massage is believed to be one of the oldest types of massage therapy which was known and used by men in the ancient times. It this practice in the old world that sometimes it is a wonder and it was even used by great fighters like Attila the Hun in his aches and pains when he was fighting in historical wars. Though we will not probably know for certain if he did have a soothing massage, the records of the past provide us with some useful information about the actual usage of massage stones all throughout history.

The Chinese are often credited with creating this earliest form of massage around the year 3000 BC. Ancient Chinese used this type of treatment for illnesses such as paralysis. Warmed stones were also utilized to improve the performance of the internal organs. India is also known for its long use of this type of massage therapy. This country incorporated the therapeutic massage into the traditional medical system and made use of aromatherapy oils and spices. Historical accounts also revealed its use in Egypt as it was proven by pictures of people being massaged that were found in various tombs of Egyptians.

Even though it was deep-rooted in the Eastern regions, it ultimately traveled westward until it arrived to the Greeks and Romans. Several Greek and Roman heroes have said to used this technique as a form of treatment for nerve pain. It was revealed that even the Great Julius Caesar himself include this in his daily rituals.

But, as the Roman Empire fell, all medical and scientific practices including the massage stone therapy have supposedly been forgotten. It was only in Europe during the Renaissance that it continued to evolve as a form of healing process.

In the 19th century the use of stones with a newly developed massage technique called the Swedish massage was combined. Experts believe that masseuses in Sweden incorporated several massage techniques that were utilized in the ancient world such as those from China, Greece and Egypt.

In World War II, it has been used by the medical staff as a massage for wounded soldiers and to treat for nerve damage and ease shell shock.

Today, the use of massage stones is still widely utilized to treat various types of conditions and healing treatments. It is also a process of relieving stress and releasing tension from the body. This massage therapy session is very effective in alternative medicine for pain management and for treating disorders such as insomnia and depression.

So, the several beneficial effects of a soothing and relaxing massage are priceless. Throughout history it has served to be a therapeutic way of treating many ailments and body pains. It also promotes blood circulation and release toxins in the body enhancing body performance and of course, enhancing the vitality. A hot stone massage therapy has proven to be therapeutic in both this modern times and in the ancient times.

A stone massage therapy is a pleasurable way of releasing stress and rejuvenating the body, mind and spirit. In this type of massage therapy, different shapes, colors and sizes of massage stones are used. It is an ancient method utilized by healers to serve as extensions of their hands in facials and healing treatments.

The most basic equipment used in this massage includes the massage table, linens, essential oils, the heating equipment and the stones used for the massage. The stones are an essential part of the massage therapy so it is important to take care of them. It must be used properly in order to give the client with the best massage experience. It is crucial to follow the correct procedures when heating and maintaining these warm stones. Here are some helpful tips to keep your stone collection in good shape:

• Once you have purchased your stones, it is advised you rinse them initially with warm water. It is also recommended to apply essential oils on them. This process is called breaking in the stones. After applying the oil, allow the stones to sit for awhile and absorb it. The stones are now ready to be heated for a massage therapy session.

• There are many appliances that can be used to heat the stones for the massages. Some may use a crock-pot before actually buying a stone heater. If you are planning to use this, then it is important to follow some crucial steps. The temperature of the heating equipment should be set to medium and the stones arranged uniformly inside the pot. This will ensure that all stones are heated evenly and in the same temperature. But it is still better to buy a proper heater especially designed for heating massage stones.

• Cleaning the stones properly is also important to keep them in shape. You should boil the stones in approximately 7-10 minutes in a pan filled with water. River or sea water is the recommended type of water you need to use. Adding salt to tap water is also a good option. Let the stones cool naturally in room temperature. This method will help the stones to be as good as new.

• There are several types of stone heaters found in the market. They are usually shallow pans that can hold preheated water. In this way the stones are able to absorb heat evenly. Whatever type of heater you use, it is the therapist’s main responsibility to maintain the rocks in its ideal temperature and not too hot for the client.

• After cleaning the stones, you should let the stones to sit awhile before using them again in another hot stone massage therapy session. Let it dry first inside or outdoors.

• Check the stones once in a while to make sure they are not too hot for the client’s skin.

• You can also use disinfectants that can help in cleaning your stones. Other product such as tree oil and alcohol are also used. However, these substances absorb the scents and may possible be allergic to some patients.

After purchasing your first set of stones, spend some time learning how to properly take care and maintain them. Although they may be hard and efficient, follow these essential tips so that they may serve their purpose well.