Introduction
Hot stones are commonly used for specialized massage treatment in spas and massage therapy clinics across the United States and in many other parts of the world. During this type of massage, flat stones are heated and then held or placed on different areas of the body. The massage therapist may also use the stones to perform the actual massage.
Stones
Hot stones for massage are typically flat and made of basalt. Basalt stones are better at holding in the heat for a longer period. Riverbeds with deposits of basalt stone are popular areas to obtain hot stones, as the river naturally smooths the rocks. Hot stones vary in size from small enough to place between the toes, to two-inch round or larger stones.
Heating
Hot stones are heated by placing them in temperature regulated hot water. This is often done in a device similar to a large Crock-Pot. Once the stones reach the correct temperature, they're removed and dried with a towel before being placed on the skin.
Vasodilation
Once stones are applied to the skin, the heat creates a reaction called vasodilation. Vasodilation is the body's way of releasing excess heat from the body. To do this, the body expands the blood vessels in the affected area, causing blood to flow and pool near the skin surface. This gets the heated blood closer to the cool surface, where it can release excess heat. As the stone is lifted away from the skin, you can see vasodilation at work by the red coloring of the skin beneath the stone.
Circulation
Improved circulation is a beneficial side effect of vasodilation. As blood vessels expand, more blood--along with the oxygen and nutrients it carries--can reach cells of your skin and muscles. At the same time, the expansion of blood vessels allow lactic acid and other toxins to exit the cells back into the blood vessels, where they can be transported out of the body.
Energy
Some hot stone therapists work by placing stones on specific areas of the body that are reflexology or pressure points. These areas on the skin are believed to be places that give access to nerve endings, which give even further access to the body's neurological pathways. According to the Acupressure Institute, accessing these areas can balance the life energy of the body and activate the body's natural healing energies, also referred to as "chi."
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