The Complete Spa Book for Massage Therapists

The Complete Spa Book for Massage Therapists STONE MASSAGE: THEORYLESSON L-10.0

SPA THOUGHT “Stones are the perfect medium to introduce healing change through temperature, pressure and time.” Bruce Baltz, founder SpiriPhysical: Deep Tissue Healing, The Art of Stone Massage

INTRODUCTION • Stones can be used as massage tools. • Stones can simply be positioned on skin. • All stone treatments share 3 elements: • the use of stones • the application of massage, and • the application of heat and/or cold

STONES USED FOR MASSAGE • Most common stones used are basalt. • Volcanic basalt absorbs & retains heat well. • Found smooth and well-formed in nature

BASALT • Most plentiful type of igneous rock • extrusive cools outside Earth’s crust • intrusive cools while trapped under surface • Erupts in the form of molten lava • Cools quickly on surface or in oceans • Covers ocean floors • Small crystals form smooth massage stones.

SEDIMENTARY & METAMORPHIC ROCK • Other two primary forms of rock • Sedimentary rock formed by lithification • compacting & hardening of existing rocks, shells, bones, & bits of organic matter • Metamorphic created from other rocks • intense pressure & heat transforms one form of rock into another, as limestone into marble

OLDEST ROCKS ON EARTH • Chondrites, fell as meteors = oldest rocks • Formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago • Oldest formed on Earth 3.8 billion years old

MAGNETIC FIELDS IN ROCKS • Lava records magnetic field when formed • Orientation of poles switched many times • So, old stone = different field than today • Basalt is mafic, rich in iron, magnesium, & magnetite, strongly magnetic • Paleomagnetism  energy effect on body

SPECIALIZED STONE MATERIAL • Specialized stones used therapeutically: • quartz, amethyst, sodalite, lapis lazuli, jasper, turquoise, rose quartz, tiger’s eye, bloodstone • Not for thermal effects – not heated/cooled • Used to align clients’ energies (chakras) • Quartz crystals emit piezoelectricity • crystals struck while in contact with skin • also created by basalt’s crystalline content

HARVESTING STONES • Obtained from 3 main sources: • quarries, river beds, and rocky coastlines • Marble has to be mined, carved, and polished. • After being gathered, stones are cleaned and grouped into sets. • Some suppliers polish stones.

FACTORS IN CHOOSING STONES • Magnetic energy • Mineral content • Heat retention • Smoothness and shape

MOHS SCALE • Measures mineral hardness • Devised by Friedrich Mohs 1812 • On classic list of 10, basalt a very hard 8

STONE SHAPES AND SIZES • Stone size and shape depends upon: • area of the body therapist wishes to access • size of the client • size of the therapist’s hands • modality being practiced

EFFECTS OF STONE MASSAGE • Physiological effects fall into 3 categories: • thermal • energetic • mechanical

EFFECTS OF STONE MASSAGE • Hot stones create local heat benefits. • Cold stones offer benefits of local cold. • Hot & cold stones create contrast therapy. • blood pump

SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF BASALT • Specific gravity approximately 3 • One of the heaviest stones on the planet • Powerful thermal effects • Heavy mineral content • especially iron • absorbs & retains heat well

BIOELECTRIC &BIOMAGNETIC FIELDS • Crystals conduct energy. • Basalt’s minerals create magnetic fields. • Body’s bioelectric field is influenced. • Also, when therapists’ intentions focused on these energies, effectiveness increased.

MECHANICAL EFFECTS • Pressure of stones & therapist’s hands • Influences circulation of lymph & blood • Relaxes muscles & soothes minor pains • Swedish most often used with stones • Stones enhance each modality. • Stones are tools.

HISTORY OF STONE USE • Different stone ages of history: • old stone age, Paleolithic • middle stone age, Mesolithic • new stone age, Neolithic • Greek root lithos means “stone” • Stones worshipped & idolized • in Islam, the black stone (al-Hajar-ul-Aswad) • healing powers of Stonehenge megaliths

HISTORY OF STONE USE (CONT.) • Neolithic Chinese used bian stones, refined into fine needles, for healing • Native Americans used stones for heat • Finns used stones to heat saunas • Kahuna stones in Hawaii are symbols of Hawaii’s spiritual healing tradition

LASTONE THERAPY • Developed by Mary Nelson of Tucson, Arizona, in 1993 • Uses hot and cold stones • Still offered in many spas • Focuses on: • respect for the stones • application of energy work • unique blend of Native American teachings

SAFETY & SANITATION • Students must be trained adequately • Practice before working on clients. • Four main safety considerations: • water temperature • client protection • cleaning stones & implements • depth of pressure with stones

WATER TEMPERATURE • Kept between 110°F–140°F • Below 110°F insufficient warmth • Above 140°F difficult to handle the stones • may also cause discomfort • may damage tissue if applied directly to skin • Use of thermometer highly recommended

CLIENT PROTECTION • Place sheets, pillowcases, or towels between stones and skin for protection. • Thickness of protective layers may be adjusted or removed as stones cool.

CLEANING • Wash stones w/ water & antibacterial soap after each use. • cleanse oil with alcohol • Water in heater changed daily • add sterilizing solution for sanitation • End of day, heater turned off, stones washed, heater sanitized & dried

DEPTH OF PRESSURE • Stones penetrate more forcefully than therapists’ fingers or thumbs. • Use extreme caution in order not to cause damage when using stones as tools.

CONTRAINDICATIONS • Heat • no systemic effects in reaction to heat • only local effects • Heat can still cause harm. • Therapists need to communicate with client regarding comfort and temperature.

PRIMARY CONTRAINDICATIONS • Surgery in which nerves have been cut • Nerve damage or neuropathy • avoid specific areas • Prescription medications affected by heat • Infectious skin disease, rashes, lesions • Any skin conditions aggravated by heat

DOCTOR’S CONSENT NEEDED • Pregnancy – except by certified practitioners (never in the first trimester) • Heart disease, blood clots • High blood pressure • Circulatory problems • Parkinson's disease

DOCTOR’S CONSENT NEEDED • Diabetic peripheral neuropathy • Extreme obesity • Metal implants • Cancer • Immediately after chemotherapy/radiation

CAUTIONS • Not contraindicated, but should be approached with caution: • varicose veins – avoid area, cold stones good • older thin skin – use light pressure, lower heat • wounds, bruises, tumors, hernias, fractures • acute inflammation – cold stones good

BENEFITS OF STONE MASSAGE • Quickly prepares tissues • Reflex actions affect interior organs.

HOT STONE BENEFITS • Relaxes muscles, softens connective tissue • Relieves minor aches and pains • Soothes the nervous system • Reduces overall stress • Increases lymph and blood circulation • Can help ease tension headaches • Can help ease menstrual pain

COLD STONE BENEFITS • Decreases inflammation and swelling • Can help ease sinus congestion • Stimulates the nervous system • Can help ease pain caused by strains, contusions, & soft tissue injuries • Can help ease pain caused by arthritis

ALTERNATING HOT & COLD STONE BENEFITS • Sends blood to areas of poor circulation • Removes blood from hyperemic areas • Increases circulation with “blood pump” • Stimulates reflex effects in organs

CONDITIONS BENEFITED BY STONE THERAPY • Muscular aches and pains • Arthritis • Fibromyalgia – w/ doctor’s consent • Stress and anxiety • Circulatory problems – w/ doctor’s consent • Insomnia • Depression

SUMMARY • You now know: • types of stones used for massage • effects of stone massage • history of stone use • safety and sanitation for stone massage • contraindications • benefits of stone massage

The Complete Spa Book for Massage Therapists