| e United States, hot stone massages are not as | | | | stone. Found along the shores of various beaches |
| popular as traditional ones, mainly because a lot of | | | | in Central and South America, basalt stones are |
| people simply don’t know about it. And | | | | quite plentiful. However, before a basalt stone can |
| even if they did, it might be difficult trying to find | | | | be used for massaging, it must be thoroughly |
| a massage therapist that knows how to do the | | | | evaluated. If it meets the necessary |
| technique properly. | | | | specifications, it will be power-washed, packaged |
| However, this does not mean that the hot stone | | | | and then distributed as an official massage stone. |
| massage is worthless. In fact, there is actually a | | | | When a basalt stone gets to this stage, it can be |
| lot of history behind the technique, especially in | | | | used in two types of massages: hot stone or cold |
| ancient Native American culture. With them, hot | | | | stone. In a hot stone massage, the basalt stone is |
| stone massages were used during sweat lodge | | | | heated up in a special broiler. After that, it is |
| ceremonies. Basically, as the people were | | | | allowed to cool. From there the basalt stone is |
| sweating out their physical and spiritual impurities, | | | | gently massaged into various areas of the skin. |
| hot stones were used for added relaxation. They | | | | The heat that radiates through the stone helps |
| worked so effectively, they became known as | | | | relax the muscles while increasing the |
| “grandfather stones.” | | | | body’s blood flow. |
| In Hawaii, hot stone massages were used for | | | | On the opposite end, there’s the cold |
| similar purposes. But the manner of stone was | | | | stone massage. With this massage the basalt |
| different, since Hawaiians had access to pohaku, | | | | stones are chilled to a comfortable temperature. |
| (or lava stones). Hence, in their culture, the hot | | | | They are then massaged into the skin. As a |
| stone massage became known as | | | | result, the cold from the stones helps constrict |
| ‘pohaku’ a term that applies even | | | | blood vessels. When this happens, the body |
| today. | | | | experiences a slowdown in tissue metabolism, |
| The hot stone massage was also prevalent in | | | | which can be helpful for reducing inflammation in |
| Asia, though it was used more for therapeutic | | | | the affected area. |
| reasons. Still, it offered an excellent way to put | | | | In conclusion, if you want the ability to give a |
| the physical body at ease… something that | | | | more powerful massage, you need to use basalt |
| is especially important when a person is ailing. | | | | stones. To acquire them, you can go to any store |
| It’s unfortunate that once acupuncture | | | | online or offline that sells massage stones. Just |
| and other therapies became discovered, hot | | | | make sure that when you make your purchase, |
| stone massages lost some of their prevalence. | | | | you buy the right set of stones. If you |
| As far as the United States, the hot stone | | | | don’t, you won’t be able to |
| massage came into being around 1993, when it | | | | massage effectively, since different sizes of |
| became popular by Mary Hannigan, a renowned | | | | basalt stones are used for various types of |
| massage therapist. She had even developed a | | | | massages. Of course, if you are completely |
| new technique called the “LaStone | | | | unsure, feel free to get a kit of massage stones. |
| Therapy.” It utilizes a variety of Native | | | | Not only are kits cheaper, but they usually give |
| American and Zen philosophies and techniques. | | | | you everything you need in just one set, making |
| Interesting side note; nature has already provided | | | | them the perfect all-in-one solution. |
| the perfect massaging instrument: the basalt | | | | |