Therapeutic Hot and Cold Stone Massage
Therapeutic Hot and Cold Stone Massage
Experience the ultimate in relaxation and therapeutic relief with our Therapeutic Hot and Cold Stone Massage, a treatment designed to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and restore balance to the body. This unique massage therapy combines the ancient healing traditions of hot stones with the modern application of cold stone therapy, offering profound relaxation and measurable physiological benefits for a wide range of clients.
For bookings, please book under either Venetia Breen or Tari Haynes, the registered massage therapists who offer this service.
A Rich History of Healing with Stones
Hot stone therapy has been used for centuries across cultures around the world. In Japan, heated stones were traditionally applied to relieve pain and tension. Scandinavians incorporated heated rocks into their sauna rituals, promoting circulation and relaxation. North American indigenous peoples have long used stones in sweat lodge ceremonies to purge toxins, promote detoxification, and realign the body and spirit. Similarly, Chinese and Buddhist monks have relied on hot stones for centuries to facilitate healing and balance in the body.
Today, registered massage therapists (RMTs) have adapted these ancient practices into a modern, evidence-informed therapy that targets muscle tension, inflammation, and overall wellness. By combining the healing power of hot and cold stones with therapeutic massage techniques, RMTs can deliver a treatment that addresses both the body and mind.
Hot Stones: Deep Muscle Relief and Circulation Enhancement
The hot stones used in this therapy are made of basalt, a dark, heavy volcanic rock. Basalt is naturally dense and mineral-rich, which allows it to retain heat exceptionally well. When applied to the body, these stones transfer deep, penetrating warmth directly to the muscles, promoting relaxation and increasing tissue elasticity.
Benefits of Hot Stone Therapy include:
Deep Muscle Relaxation: Heat penetrates tight muscles quickly, allowing the therapist to release tension more effectively with less pressure.
Improved Circulation and Lymphatic Flow: Heat stimulates blood and lymph movement, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues while aiding in the removal of waste products.
Enhanced Immune Function: Increased cellular activity supports faster healing and better overall wellness.
Stress, Fatigue, and Tension Relief: Heat activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing stress hormone levels.
Lowered Blood Pressure: The relaxing effect on muscles and vessels can contribute to reduced overall blood pressure.
Deeper Relaxation and Enhanced Massage Effects: Heated stones allow oils to penetrate the skin more effectively, hydrating tissues and amplifying the therapeutic effect of massage.
By preparing the muscles with heat, hot stones allow the RMT to perform deeper work safely and comfortably, releasing chronic tension, improving mobility, and optimizing overall treatment results.A Rich History of Healing with Stones
Hot stone therapy has been used for centuries across cultures around the world. In Japan, heated stones were traditionally applied to relieve pain and tension. Scandinavians incorporated heated rocks into their sauna rituals, promoting circulation and relaxation. North American indigenous peoples have long used stones in sweat lodge ceremonies to purge toxins, promote detoxification, and realign the body and spirit. Similarly, Chinese and Buddhist monks have relied on hot stones for centuries to facilitate healing and balance in the body.
Cold Stones: Reducing Inflammation and Restoring Balance
In contrast, cold stones are applied for shorter periods, typically about 10 breaths or 20 seconds per placement, to stimulate the skin and tissues without causing discomfort. Cold stones may be made from a variety of materials, each selected for their cooling properties.
Cold therapy works by stimulating the cold receptors in the skin, which activates the sympathetic nervous system. This causes vasoconstriction, or narrowing of the blood vessels in the treated area. Vasoconstriction has several key benefits:
Reduces Inflammation and Swelling: Cold stones help decrease edema following trauma or overuse, limiting the acute inflammatory response.
Alleviates Muscle Spasms and Pain: Cooling tissues relaxes overactive muscles and reduces discomfort.
Enhances Circulation through Reactive Hyperemia: Following cold application, blood vessels reopen, increasing blood flow to tissues for recovery.
Assists in Treating Burns or Sensitive Areas: Controlled cold therapy soothes acute tissue irritation while supporting healing.
Cold stones are typically used in combination with hot stones to create contrast therapy, which alternates warming and cooling effects. This combination enhances circulation, reduces muscle soreness, and promotes faster recovery while maintaining deep relaxation and comfort.
How Hot and Cold Stones Work Together
The power of therapeutic hot and cold stone massage lies in the synergy between the two. Hot stones relax tissues and improve circulation, while cold stones calm inflamed areas and reduce muscle spasms. Alternating between heat and cold creates a pumping effect in the blood vessels, improving overall tissue health, enhancing lymphatic drainage, and stimulating the nervous system for improved function.
This contrast therapy is particularly beneficial for clients dealing with:
Chronic muscle tension or pain
Sports injuries or post-workout soreness
Inflammation and swelling
Stress, fatigue, and poor circulation
Limited mobility or joint stiffness
By combining heat and cold in a therapeutic, controlled manner, RMTs can provide long-lasting relief, improve recovery times, and offer a deeply relaxing experience that promotes overall wellness.
What to Expect During Your Session
During a Therapeutic Hot and Cold Stone Massage, a registered massage therapist will:
Begin with heated basalt stones, placing them on key muscle groups to relax tissues and improve circulation.
Alternate with cold stones, applied briefly to reduce inflammation and stimulate circulation.
Use a combination of manual massage techniques with the stones, allowing deeper work with less pressure and maximum comfort.
Focus on the client’s specific concerns, whether that’s chronic pain, postural tension, or stress-related discomfort.
Sessions typically last 60 to 90 minutes, providing ample time to balance the body, promote relaxation, and address individual therapeutic goals.
Who Can Benefit from Hot and Cold Stone Therapy
This therapy is suitable for a wide range of clients, including those who:
Experience chronic muscle tension or pain
Are recovering from injury, trauma, or overuse
Suffer from stress, fatigue, or circulatory issues
Want to improve mobility and flexibility
Seek deep relaxation and holistic wellness support
Whether you are an athlete, a busy professional, or someone seeking therapeutic relief, hot and cold stone massage can support your body’s natural healing process while providing a deeply relaxing and restorative experience.
Modern Therapeutic Origins
While ancient cultures laid the groundwork, modern hot and cold stone therapy was formalized by Mary Nelson in 1993, who developed LaStone Therapy in the United States. Her system combines the physiological benefits of heat and cold with structured massage techniques, making it a safe, effective, and evidence-informed treatment. Today, registered massage therapists continue to adapt and apply these methods in clinical practice to maximize pain relief, reduce inflammation, and promote overall wellness.
Book Your Session Today
Discover the combined healing power of therapeutic hot and cold stone massage. Our registered massage therapists are trained to provide a safe, effective, and relaxing experience tailored to your needs.
Experience deep muscle relaxation, improved circulation, reduced inflammation, and enhanced wellness—all in a single session.
For bookings, please book under either Venetia Breen or Tari Haynes, the RMTs who offer this service.
This treatment can be billed directly to all insurance companies under registered massage therapy.
Book online or call us today to schedule your appointment and experience the benefits of therapeutic hot and cold stone massage.
