| d stone massage has become a popular form of | | | | stone heater. Try ebay for a great deal. |
| massage therapy. | | | | * How to Use the Stones |
| It was officially developed in 1993 by massage | | | | Therapists typically utilize Swedish massage |
| therapist Mary Hannigan of Tucson, Arizona. One | | | | strokes while holding the heated stones; when a |
| has to wonder if she was inspired by a touching a | | | | stone begins to cool, they replace it with another |
| desert rock heated by the scorching sun to her | | | | warm stone. The heat radiating from the stones |
| skin! She has trademarked her unique format of | | | | helps your muscles relax and release more deeply |
| heated stone massage, but each spa offers its | | | | and quickly than during a traditional massage. It |
| own version. | | | | also allows deeper manipulation of muscle tissues. |
| While the "official" date is in 1993, heated stone | | | | Heated stones are commonly placed along the |
| massage has roots dating back 5,000 years to | | | | spine. They can also be placed in the palms of |
| ancient cultures from throughout the world, | | | | your hands or between your toes to improve |
| including India, Europe, Native American and | | | | your overall energy. Heated stone massage is |
| Mezo-American. | | | | particularly helpful if you have sore muscles or |
| The typical price tag for a heated stone massage | | | | inflammation. |
| at a spa is at least $125. It’s a bit more | | | | Here’s a good massage oil aromatherapy |
| expensive than a traditional massage, as it takes | | | | recipe for sore muscles: |
| a little longer. But, you don't have to pay those | | | | * 7 drops of birch oil |
| prices! It's possible to enjoy a heated stone | | | | * 6 drops of ginger oil |
| massage--in the comfort of your very own home! | | | | * 6 drops of peppermint |
| * Stone Types | | | | Place the essential oils into a two-ounce bottle. |
| The most common type of stone to use is basalt. | | | | Add olive oil until the bottle is nearly full. Gentle |
| These smooth, black rocks are a type of volcanic | | | | rotate the capped bottle to combine the mixture. |
| rock that absorb and retain heat very well. Jade | | | | Apply the oil to your skin, then massage yourself |
| and Petoskey stones can also be used. You can | | | | with the heated stones. |
| purchase stones for heated massage from | | | | * Stone Massage Benefits |
| suppliers recommended by the LaStone Therapy | | | | Besides muscles soreness and general relaxation, |
| web site. | | | | heated stone massage is particularly effective in |
| These stone suppliers pay special reverence to | | | | taming a wide range of maladies. |
| Mother Earth when harvesting the stones. | | | | These include sprains, poor circulation, arthritis, |
| Stones that are flatter are easier to place on | | | | fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, back pain, |
| specific body areas for several minutes at a time | | | | depression, insomnia and stress. |
| as you recline. It’s important to have a | | | | People who enjoy heated stone massage also |
| variety of shapes and sizes. For example, you can | | | | report a deeper connection with nature, a feeling |
| use small stones between your toes to de-stress | | | | of profundity and sacredness, and connecting to |
| and stimulate the nerve endings in your feet. | | | | their true essence. |
| The stones are heated in 120- to 150-degree | | | | This experience can be deepened by enjoying a |
| water or dry heat in specialized massage stone | | | | heated stone massage in the comfort of your |
| heaters. You can purchase a specialized dry-heat | | | | own home! |