“Have you had your rocks on lately?” This question has been adapted by many massage therapists around the country as a part of their marketing strategy for Hot Rocks Massage. This modality of massage has gained wide popularity thanks to the original system of LaStone Massage therapy introduced by Mary Nelson from Tucson, Arizona, about 15 years ago.
My personal experience of using hot and cold rocks as a part of the system of massage began with my training in LaStone therapy in 1997. At the time, for my clients’ stress reduction therapy, I was using a combination of Swedish and Aromatherapy massage, in combination with some spiritual practices. However, since I have always been inclined to be more result-oriented in my practice, I ended up successfully using hot and cold rocks as a part of my Sports, Deep Tissue, and even Medical Massage sessions.
Let’s start with the rocks themselves. The best material for Hot Rock massage is basalt, a type of volcanic rock. Pebble river rocks may also be used for Hot Rock Massage. Finding the correct river stones yourself can be an enjoyable and even spiritual experience for the practitioner. However, the practitioner must make sure that every surface of each stone is extremely smooth. To read more about basalt stones, click here.
At first glance, the Hot Rock massage appears to be a straightforward procedure. Heat up the rocks, cover them, and massage the segment with oil. Then, slide the stones along the skin surface. The primary effect is heat radiation, combined with gentle pressure. It is easy to understand how heat from the hot rocks could be utilized for general relaxation purposes.
However, it would require specialized training to learn how to use a combination of heat and cold delivered in a way that evokes a very specific response from either a local area or the Central Nervous System. In other words, what we saw as a boom in the Spa businesses adding Hot Rocks Massage to their menu of services was nothing more than their choice of adding something trendy, while using it at entry level – a primitive application of heat, delivered with some light Swedish strokes and a fancy rock placement on and around the body. Unfortunately, without proper training, the use of hot rocks in many of those businesses has created a situation where even some massage liability insurance companies have had to stop offering coverage for Hot Rocks Massage, due to the number of lawsuits resulting from customers getting burned.
Of course, having rocks at the right temperature is very important: when they are not hot enough, it is ineffective, and, as I’ve experienced personally, annoying; when they are too hot, it’s Ouch! Needless to say, I have seen people using some kitchen accessories and/or heavy rubber gloves to scoop rocks out of the hot water. Also, I saw teachers recommending keeping a bowl with cold water next to the roaster, – to dip hot rocks into that water before using them on clients… Oh my, oh my! Obviously, I’ve seen enough to come to the conclusion that somewhere back when the idea of using hot rocks became popular, many therapists grabbed and ran with it without really understanding or developing a connection with their clients through those ‘mighty rocks’.
With that in mind, let me share with you some of my insights on this subject:
First of all, examine the rocks you have or are planning to buy. It is best if each stone is symmetrically weighted and balanced. In such a case, each stone is able to accumulate and disperse an even amount of heat throughout its surface, and you have less chance of burning the skin of your client. Unbalanced stones have a tendency to accumulate more heat in the thicker part, and this fact can mislead you if you grab the less heated part of the stone while applying the hotter part to your client.
Based on my experience working in different climates, it is clear that hot rocks were not in as much demand in the middle of a summer in Arizona as they were in the wintertime in New York. Therefore, keep the climate in mind when betting on the best time to offer a Special on hot rocks. This is not rocket science. Think of yourself first: how is the weather affecting you? Plus, be aware of some personal preferences your clients might have.
“Hot or cold – mix it!” Based on my experience of using rocks while kneading thousands of clients into a deep slumber, hot rocks should be alternated with cold rocks, especially if you need to work on the same area repeatedly, without allowing the Phenomenon of Adaptation to kick in. Therefore, to keep the thermoreceptors fresh, you must switch to a cold setting before continuing with heat again. Naturally, there is only so much heat that muscles/ soft tissue can take while still responding to it! So, keep switching. Generally, we improve circulation by using heat, but we stimulate it by using cold.
When I examined the most popular educational videos and books (including the original LaStone concept) that discuss Hot Rock massage, I found that in many cases, this modality is presented strictly from the perspective of relaxation.
Based on my experience of teaching my “Deep Tissue Rocks” seminar, I can say that there is definitely a difference between using the heat of the rocks as a ‘nice addition’ to a client’s experience of massage vs using rocks themselves as an active tool of ‘slicing and dicing’ stressed muscles and surrounding soft tissue. It is true that Hot Rock massage is a very relaxed procedure, but it is an unfortunate simplification of this great modality. The practitioner will be able to deliver a much more profound impact to the client’s body if he or she is ready to step out of the simple relaxation mode when the session is based entirely on the application of gliding strokes.
Rocks could become an invaluable tool in your massage work if this is how you will approach them. As a Hot Stone Massage practitioner, you have two choices: “Nap it or rock it!”. In my opinion, there are too many educators and practitioners who use rocks as an opportunity to take a nap, relying on the heat itself to do the work. Although there is nothing wrong with that, it is good to be aware of your choices!
To excel in the Hot Stone Massage session, the practitioner should enhance their technical skills. Let me present some of the Hot Stone Massage techniques that will mesmerize your clients and help you build a successful practice.
Two Stones Crossing Technique (TSC)
TSC can be used on the lower back, gluteal area, or on the thigh. It consists of two phases.
Start the first phase by pressing two stones into the soft tissue on the opposite side of the massaged segment. Notice that you should face your client’s head. While maintaining moderate tissue compression, pull the soft tissue up, using both rocks as a tool. Don’t just slide the rocks along the sides of the body. When you feel that the soft tissue starts to resist further displacement, gently decrease the pressure and allow the tissue to slide back into its original position. However, keep bringing both stones close together until you hear the clicking sound of two rocks contacting each other.
At this moment, you should start the second phase of the TSC. First, rotate your body to face your client’s feet, as shown in the video. From this new position, you should lower both rocks, stretching the soft tissue along the same line of application as in the first phase. While pushing the stones down and apart, try to STRETCH the soft tissue until your stones reach the initial position of phase one on the sides of the massaged segment.
At the end of the video, it demonstrates the reapplication of TSC and body mechanics to maintain the fluidity of application.
Knife Technique (KT)
The best area of application of KT is the gluteal region. Choose a longer stone and hold it as a knife with both hands. The basis of both hands is the foundation of the stroke, as they provide the necessary stability. It is much easier to sit or squat.
Place both hands in the area just above the greater trochanter and apply circular strokes with the stone. The strokes must originate in the wrist joints. Try to make strokes with a large radius going around the entire gluteal area.
Decompression Technique (DT)
Large muscles have a tendency to accumulate waste products along their edges. DT allows us to use a combination of heat and moderate compression to effectively drain the entire muscle from its edges. To apply this technique correctly, the practitioner must maintain the exact anatomical position of the massaged muscle.
The video below starts with the practitioner outlining the anatomical position of the rectus femoris muscle. After that, the video shows the application of DT on the example of the rectus femoris muscle.
Two stones are used, and notice that the practitioner combines the gentle compression of the rectus femoris muscle between two stones located on the opposite sides of the muscle with sliding forward along the massaged muscle.
Hot Stone Tendon Technique (HSTT)
This technique enables you to address the tendinous part of muscles before applying other techniques, such as the Hot Stone Kneading Technique or Decompression Technique. Use smaller-sized stone(s).
The first part of the video below shows an example of one hand variant of this technique’s application on the tendon of the triceps brachii muscle. Press the stone against the tendon and apply gentle friction along and then across the tendon. Finish it with application of 3-4 vertical compressions.
The second part of the video shows a bi-manual variant of the same technique. In this case, two small stones are used, and the practitioner slides them simultaneously along both sides of the Achilles’ tendon.
Hot Stone Percussion (HSP)
HSP is used on large muscle groups away from prominent bone structures. A one-stone or pressure stone is placed flat and pressed into the soft tissue. One hand slowly slides the stone forward (while maintaining moderate compression of the tissue), and the other hand uses a second stone, called a percussion stone, to apply percussion to the pressure stone.
The size of the stones, their weight, and the intensity of percussion should be adjusted to the size of the massaged muscles. Larger muscle groups require more intense application.
This technique combines three healing factors during its application: heat, strong effleurage with compression, and percussion and vibration. It creates a very unusual sensation which will be greatly appreciated by your clients.
These and other techniques of Hot Stone Massage are taking the practitioner well beyond the commonly used approach of gliding strokes. They help practitioners remain competitive in the market while significantly enhancing the outcome of the Hot Stone Massage session. Another great advantage of these techniques is their usage of during Sports Massage or Medical Massage sessions. In these cases, it is best to apply Hot Stone Massage only as a part of the session. It helps the practitioner employ another important tool to deliver healing impact.
Lastly, as part of taking care of yourself, develop a habit of picking up and applying a hot rock to your hands, forearms, and upper shoulders when you feel tightness in those areas. Conversely, choose a cold rock when you feel heat and swelling in those areas. Therefore, it is essential to develop a keen awareness of what your own body needs and learn to recognize and respond to any signals it sends. Naturally, you should be more inclined to use heat in the first half of your workday and use cold at the end of it. Even therapists need to have their “rocks on.”
Join SOMI’s Medical Massage Certification Program, where we share with therapists the clinical application of massage therapy based on scientific data. We are looking for a clinically oriented therapists who is willing to step into the Medical Massage field to help patients, even in very complex cases. Here is a link to the Science Of Massage Institute’s main educational website: www.scienceofmassage.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Oleg Bouimer, LMT, CMMP
Oleg Bouimer, born in Ukraine, has been a Licensed Massage Therapist and a Certified Fitness Trainer for over thirty years. He graduated with honors from the Institute of Physical Education of Ukraine.
From the outset of his career, he has been engaged in scientific research on the efficacy of massage therapy in treating sports injuries. For several years, he worked at the Center for Scientific Research at the Ternopol Medical Institute in Ukraine. He is the author of many articles in European and American medical and massage journals.
Oleg, a three-time Ukrainian champion in triathlon and a coach, learned the benefits and necessity of massage therapy at an early age. In his work with elite athletes, Oleg has been at the forefront of somatic rehabilitation. Based on his personal experience with injuries, he has gained a profound understanding of the pathophysiology of pain. The analysis and comparison of different modalities led him to develop a system of Sports Massage based on a unique combination of the most valuable techniques and approaches for the rehabilitation of the athlete.
Oleg relocated to the United States in 1993. Currently, he maintains a very active practice of Sports Massage in Los Angeles. Star players of the NBA, NHL, and NFL seek him out extensively for his system of Russian Sports Massage. He teaches nationwide and has founded a Medical and Sports Massage Club in Los Angeles for practitioners who wish to learn massage therapy based on scientific principles.
Oleg is the founder of the Global Wellness Institute, a nonprofit organization in Southern California that sponsors fundraising events to promote research and education in massage therapy, as well as physical education in public schools. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and son.
Category: Stress Reduction Massage