Massage is a practice that has been used for relaxation and alternative holistic healing for thousands of years, and it continues to be used all over the world and in the United States in various health-related ways, states the National Center for Alternative and Complementary Medicine. One popular type of massage is known as a hot stone massage. During this treatment, massage is combined with stones that are heated and placed on different areas of the body to aid in relaxation and healing. Although most stones will work for this practice, certain stones work better than others.
Type
When looking for massage stones, it's important to look for stones that can withstand a change in thermal temperature without cracking or breaking. The heat applied to massage stones rarely exceeds 140 to 200 degrees F, but it's still important to choose resistant stone materials such as basalt, sedimentary stones or marble. You can even collect your own massage stones by finding smooth river rocks, which may also stand up to the temperatures needed for hot stone therapy.
Shape
Massage stones can be different shapes, but they are most commonly round. Round stones have rounded edges, which remove the risks of jagged edges. Rough and jagged edges can irritate or even cut your client's skin, so it's important to find stones that are going to keep your client comfortable and safe.
Size
There is no perfect size for massage stones as varying sizes can be used throughout the treatment. For example, palm-sized stones are helpful when you want to use the warmed stone in your hands as a massage tool, while tiny marble-width rocks can be placed between the toes during the treatment. Typically, you will not want stones much larger than the size of your hand, and the majority of your stones should fit in your palm, depending on your massage technique.
Smoothness
Massage stones should be smooth on both sides, as well as on the edges. Smooth stones make the massage more comfortable, and also help the stone lay flatter on your client's skin. This is why river rocks make good massage stones, as the natural movement of the water sands the rocks down to a smooth finish over time.
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