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The Complete Spa Book for Massage Therapists. STONE THERAPY: PRACTICAL LESSON L-10.1. SPA THOUGHT. “Basalt stones’ qualities are stillness, sleep, rest, solidity. They open energy channels and are for grounding and focusing.” Mary Nelson LaStone Therapy. INTRODUCTION.
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The Complete Spa Book for Massage Therapists STONE THERAPY: PRACTICALLESSON L-10.1
SPA THOUGHT “Basalt stones’ qualities are stillness, sleep, rest, solidity. They open energy channels and are for grounding and focusing.” Mary Nelson LaStone Therapy
INTRODUCTION • Techniques fall into two broad categories: • placing stones on the body • holding stones while applying massage • Weave them together to create flow
PLACING STONES • Placed on body while client exhales • Lifted away from body while client inhales • Tucked beneath the body at key locations • Laid under towel where erector spinae rest • Placed on energy vortexes, or chakras • Contour stones placed in hand or on sole • Larger stones placed on belly or sacrum • Small flat stones placed between toes • Tap stones together for piezoelectricity • Replace cool stones with warmer ones
MASSAGING WITH STONES • Initial contact: gradually touch back of hand to skin first • Gliding: stones glide over skin similar to effleurage • Deep tissue: stones glide, then press deeper on tension • Kneading: small stones in palms for petrissage • Friction: rub against muscle fibers • Trigger points: on trigger points, etc. • Transferring stones: graceful and flowing • Face massage: small stones, light pressure • Exchanging stones: trade cool for heated stones • Cold stones: can be used for massage
STONE MASSAGEBODY MECHANICS • Especially important with stones massage • Allow stones to do the work. • Same concerns as Swedish massage • keep knees bent • avoid excessive bending at waist • Use pinning and flipping.
PINNING STONES • Therapist’s palm holds stone to the body
FLIPPING STONES • Quickly turned at end of stroke when lifted
STONE MASSAGE TREATMENT • Treatment can take many different forms. • Spas can customize the service. • adding modalities • changing ingredients such as oils • After mastering basics protocol here • expand skills in workshops • receive training at spa where you work
STONE MASSAGE PROTOCOL • Preparation • place stones in water 110°F–140°F • place cold stones in freezer or ice water • prepare massage table • arrange equipment for ease of use
STONE MASSAGE PROTOCOL • Procedure 1 • client lies beneath the top drape supine • set intention • arrange spinal stones & have client lie back • place rounded neck stone beneath occiput • place 5 large stones atop chakra areas • place extra-small flat stones between toes • stone massage to left hand, arm & shoulder • tuck medium stone beneath left shoulder
STONE MASSAGE PROTOCOL • Procedure 2 • massage right arm, tuck stone right shoulder • hot stone massage head, neck, & shoulders • cold stone massage to face • remove tucked stones from shoulders & toes • stone massage with oil to left foot & leg • tuck medium stone beneath left gluteal • repeat right leg, tuck stone gluteal muscles
STONE MASSAGE PROTOCOL • Procedure 3 • click stone against chakra stones & remove • remove tucked stones, client sits up & turns over • place extra-large warm stone on sacrum • apply oil & stone massage to the back • leave contour stones in palms • tuck stones beneath shoulders • massage the back with 2 large stones
STONE MASSAGE PROTOCOL • Procedure 4 • apply oil & stone massage to left leg • repeat on the right leg • remove stone from sacrum, palms, deltoids • 2 large cold stones up left, down right • 2 cold stones on soles for a few seconds • light effleurage up legs & back • small hot stone on the crown point
STONE MASSAGE PROTOCOL • Cleanup • sanitize stones & replace in heating unit • change all table cover & draping linens • change water & sanitize warmer end of day
SUMMARY • You now know: • techniques for placing stones • techniques for massaging with stones • stone massage body mechanics • basic stone massage protocol