Tips for Therapists

Selection of stones for Hot stone massage are selected according to their composition, size, texture and shape. The shape of a stone is important for particular body placements, such as a cylindrical stone for the neck and oval stone for the palm. The texture is important as you don't want to scratch a client. A slightly rough stone can be used for exfoliation your clients skin if client wishes to have it done. When you heat basalt stones or other stones for doing hot stone massages always make sure they are heated in water as there is always a possibility of them cracking. Never heat the stones in a microwave or in a dry oven. Have a bowl with cool water that you can place stones in that you may feel is too warm for your client. Always as your client how the heat of the stone is for them. The water in the hot stone heater should be a temperature that is comfortable for you to place your hand in - it is quite simple really if the stone is too hot for you to handle it is too hot for your client.