Heated Stones Massage

In our world of wellness and relaxation, hot volcanic stone massage is an ancient technique rooted in centuries-old healing traditions from the Far East that has been used for more than 10000 years (2). At the Leagrave Therapy Clinic, heated stones massage involve using the combination of heat and calming power of touch to create a restorative experience for the body and mind. The therapist applies massage via heated, smooth volcanic basalt stones on the body. The stones are warmed to a comfortable hot temperature that is tolerable for the client to avoid burns and used by the therapist in conjunction with traditional massage techniques. 

A question regularly asked is how does heat help whilst massaging? The heated stones help to sooth and provide a a deep soft tissue massage into taught muscles which aids to accelerate the relaxation of tight muscles and tendons, improve circulation and reduce stress. The warmth with massage can offer: 

- Muscle tension relief and pain
- Reduce stress and anxiety: massage is known to help lower cortisol levels and increase endorphin levels, your 'feel good hormones' thus help stress by increasing serotonin which helps regulate mood and sleep (1). Heat has a calming effect on the nervous system and prompts blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing to slow down which can help contribute to the feeling of relaxation and the dulling of brain activity that heat brings to the body (1).
- Boost circulation by improving blood flow and help deliver oxygen nutrients: increased blood flow brings fresh oxygen, nutrients and lymph to distressed tissues and cleanses the body through the increased removal of toxins and in this way, heat can helps restore tissue strength and health (1).
- Increased flow of blood and lymph to the area of application: heating the surface of the skin can increase the ability of the immune cells to destroy germs (1).
- Improve sleep quality by providing deep relaxation. 
- Massage stimulates a series of local biochemical reactions in the body, which increase the neural activity in the spinal cord which has an effect on the perception of pain and fatigue (2). 

The heat of the stones and their solidarity help muscles to relax and for therapists to apply deeper, more precise pressure if desired with their hands or with stones. The heat contained in the rocks can help relax nerves and may improve chakra flow if placed on chakra centre’s on the body (3). Different techniques used with the warm stones include effleurage, petrissage and frictions over trigger points which are areas of tension on muscles that have persistent, recurring or continued intermittent pain caused by injury, tension or lack of muscle stretching which can thus cause tension or illness (3). The warm oblong basalt stones are placed on the tense areas to produce warmth on the area and can assist manual work. Clinically, many clients report to prefer the use of warm stones and massage implements as they find the process less painful and the associated techniques can help particular points of pain.

1. Jones and Bartlett Learning https://samples.jblearning.com/9781284223026/9781284286786_CH02_Marketing_Sample.pdf [online] Last visited 18/05/2025.
2. Ramova, E. L. P. (2021) Volcanic Stone Massage and Its Benefits, South Asian Research Journal of Applied Medical Sciences, 3; 5: 1-3. 
3. The Wiltshire School of Beauty and Holistic Therapy Diploma in Stone Therapy Massage Training Manual, https://www.wsbht.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Stone-Therapy-manual-Guild4.pdf [Online] Last visited 18/05/2025.