Overview
Massage doesn’t just feel exquisite, but it can improve your health by relieving stress and tension, increasing circulation, and soothing muscular pain. In particular, a hot stone massage warms areas of tension and draws out discomfort. The hot stone massage dates back over 5,000 years in Ayurvedic medicine in India. It has also been used for 4,000 years in Chinese medicine. In Japan, stones were used to warm the abdomen during digestion. The stones are used as a way to connect a person to the earth and are typically obtained from riverbeds.
Step 1
Dab rubbing alcohol onto a washcloth and use it to clean each of the massage stones. Clean your stones before and after each use.
Step 2
Set up the area where you will be using your hot stones to give a massage. Light candles and dim any artificial light in the room. Make sure the windows are closed and the area is free of uncomfortable drafts that may interfere with your massage partner’s comfort.
Step 3
Add one or two drops of neroli or patchouli essential oil to sweet almond oil. Check for possible interactions or side effects if you use any other type of essential oil, because some may interact with a person’s particular skin type, cause an allergic reaction or not be safe with some health conditions.
Step 4
Set one of your stones aside so that it remains at a cool temperature. Put all your remaining stones into a saucepan and cover them with water. Heat the stove on medium low heat.
Step 5
Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan to measure the water temperature. Take the stones off the heat before it reaches 120 F degrees, and drain the water from your stones.
Step 6
Have your massage partner lie face down in a comfortable position, and cover the individual’s back with a towel. Begin using the hot stones by placing three stones along the left leg. Put the first in the middle of the upper leg, one in the middle of the lower leg and one on the back of the calf muscle. Place a stone behind the knee as well.
Step 7
Put a dime-sized amount of massage oil into your palm and rub it into the right leg. Massage the contours of the right leg with a warm stone. Move the stones from the left leg to the right one when you are done with the massage. Rub massage oil into the left leg and apply the same technique as you did with the right leg.
Step 8
Move all the stones to the lower back, and cover the legs with the towel. Use a warm stone to massage over the buttocks.
Step 9
Move the stones so they are resting along the spine. Place one stone over the back of the neck and under each shoulder blade. Use a warm stone to massage the contours of the lower back, and then move your hands around the stones to massage the neck and upper back, moving around the stones.
Step 10
Remove the stones from your massage partner, and have the person turn over. Select smaller stones from your collection, and wedge these gently between the toes. Also, place a stone into the palm of each hand. Line three stones along each leg calf. Use another warm stone to massage the arms and along the sides of the legs.
Step 11
Remove the stones from the legs and place them down the center of the chest. Put one down the center and parallel to the heart, one near the sternum and one a few inches from the belly button. Place one stone on each shoulder as well.
Step 12
Massage one of the stones from the chest up to the neck. Use a clockwise circular motion to massage the stomach area. Remove the stones between the toes, and place them between each finger.
Step 13
Use your fingers to massage oil over the chest, face and scalp. Put the cool stone you set aside on the forehead so your massage partner can feel the contrast between the cool and warm temperatures.
