Hot Stone Massage procedure/routine

[bearchen]

Hi all

I have just passed the VTCT Swedish Body massage course and I
have also attended a Hot Stone massage course at College and really enjoyed it. Time went so quickly and I wish I had more time to practice with the Hot Stones. I haven't got my stones and heater yet, so once I have purchased them I will practice on family members first before offering them to clients.

I was just wondering how you start off with the massage? I know all massages are tailored to the clients needs but we were shown to start the back of the legs, the back, turn the client over and do front of legs, arms, abdomen, neck and chest and head and face. We also placed placement stones on various areas.

Do you place placements stones on the chakra area and then massage parts of the body? I am not sure which is the best methods with the stones.

I would be grateful for advise and which is the best routine so I can practise and get more confident using Hot Stones.

Thank you all. YOU ARE FANATSTIC.

Bearchen

[hemelgirl]

there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to routine and the starting point - it all depends on the tutor you have with routine - I was taught to start with the client lying prone and starting on the left leg then right leg and then the back, turn and carry on - when I did my aromatherapy diploma I was taught to start with the client supine and begin with the face

I personally prefer to start on the back but it does depend on the client

get your stones and practice on friends and family, I am sure you will have a plentiful supply of volunteers

[cola]

If you're doing hot stone massage starting with the client face down, you're not letting the stones do as much for you as they can, you're mainly using them as warm firm tools. Starting face up with placement stones under the body means the weight of the client and the heat of the stones just melts the muscles before they turn over, it can make a HUGE difference it the amount of work you do when they turn over. Placement stones under the body means more stones, possibly a larger heater, and learning a technique that isn't like normal massage, so a lot of stone courses don't teach it that way. Most courses just teach you how to include the massage in your normal routine (they'll teach you a 'routine', but you should be able to adapt it to whatever you're doing in a non-stone massage without much problem)

So that's one of the big differences you'll find with stone routines - starting face up or face down depends on whether placement stones are used underneath the back.

Originally Posted by bearchen

>>>>We also placed placement stones on various areas.
Do you place placements stones on the chakra area and then massage parts of the body? I am not sure which is the best methods with the stones. >>>>>>

What do you mean by 'which is the best'? Using placement stones or not using placement stones? Putting placement stones on before or after massaging?

When the client is face up, I will put placement stones on the chakras, it's the weight and the warmth, very nurturing like using a hot water bottle. I place the stones then massage the rest of the body, it gives the stones time to do something.

Placement stones used on the back like you see on almost every photo of a stone massage are more a photo opportunity than helping with the massage, looks good in photos, but having the stones uncovered like you see in the photos they cool down so quickly they don't do much.

[jdholistic]

Hi

I agree with cola. I was also taught to have the client lying facing up first. Start off by placing the smaller spinal layout stones on the couch so that the client lays their back on top of them, then place a flattish stone under the neck. I then place the heavier placement stones along the chakra's and give them a hand stone to hold in each hand.
I was also taught to put a sheet over the couch first and a towel on top, so that when the client has laid their back on the stones, you can easily place some pillows under their legs by lifting the corners of the sheet. After the placement stones have been put on, I get the sides of the sheet and cover the clients torso over for extra comfort and warmth.The clients really love that!

[bearchen]

Hi all,

Thank you for the reply. I have taken all advice on board and some very good points there.

I haven't been shown how to place spinal stones under the client while the client is lying on the back. I like the idea and would like to try it out. I have read about it and I know LaStone does it that way.

Do you place the stones on a towel put a towel on top of it and then ask the client to lie down on it? How many spinal stones do you place and do you put them either side of the spine along the Spinae Erector muscle or do you put them along on the spine? Do you also place the placement stones along the chakra points on front of body? Is that not going to much heat at once for the client? What are you feedback from clients if you do it that way?
Sorry for bring a bit dim about it but any advice would be very much apreciated.

Thank's alot.

Bearchen

[cola]

Hi Bearchen,

You're right LaStone do it that way, but lots of other names in stone therapy do it that way too, because it makes such a difference if you take the time to do it.

There are a lot of cases where people have been burnt with placement stones done incorrectly. I wouldn't try to go over how to do it on a message board - there is quite a bit of info needed to do it safely and effectively. I'd recommend go do a class that teaches 'stone therapy' rather than 'hot stone massage' (checking they do cover stones placed under the body). There are some additional safety concerns for placement stones (like what you've mentioned).

I do recommend LaStone training, they only teach stones, and they offer advanced courses in various areas of interest (bodywork, beauty, reflexology, energy work.....) http://www.lastoneuk.co.uk/ (seems to still be a bit of a work in progress, but that is the new UK site) I've not done any LaStone courses with UK trainers, only American ones, but I assume the UK trainers are up to the same standard I have done other stone courses, and seen lots of videos, and LaStone have been the best I've encountered.

[grizelda]

Placement stones. Preparation. Place a hand towel on top of the towel that is covered with paper roll. When the client is on thier back slide the placement stones under the hand towel. This enables you to place the stones in the correct place for comfort and will stop any potential burning. Place the Hara stone over the solar plexus. Take a small towel and fold in half, place a meduim size stone inside the folded part and wrap around the foot like a slipper tucking in at the top to hold the stone in. Place in the toe stones and place on the facial stones. Then proceed with hot stone massage on the leg and arms. Finish with a warm stone mini facial. slowly remove the spinal stones by slightly lifting the towel underneath which will gently roll the client up without discomfort. remove the Hara stone and toe stones. Hope this helps.