I'm having problems getting the temperature just right for the stones. They are either too hot and then spend lots of time effleuraging transferring the heat to the body with my hands (and over-running the treatment) or the stones are warm but don't stay warm long enough which means I need to use twice the amount of stones I have!
The last massage I did started off well - the nack and back of legs parts went well - right temp and did in the right time, but then when mt case study turned over and went to do fron of body, the stones were too hot so spent longer and went over the alotted 1 hour 15 minutes.
Any suggestions? Should I turn the cooker down when turn the client over? I'm using a slow-cooker!
Bright Blessings
RE: Timings and temperature
You need to have the stones heating for at least 30 mins before you start your treatment in order for the stones to fully absorb the heat. Otherwise the heat is mainly near the surface of the stones hence the reason they lose heat quickly. Also larger stones generally stay hot for longer than the smaller stones.
For stones that are too hot to handle. Have a small bowl of cold water next to your slow cooker. Dip the stones in the water to take off some of heat. Also have a small towel to wipe the water off the stones before you massage with them. You can also dip your hands in the water if they become too hot. Don't forget that by the time you turn your client over the stones will have been cooking for a quite a while. I do turn the cooker off when the water becomes too hot.
RE: Timings and temperature
ORIGINAL: Lavandula
Should I turn the cooker down when turn the client over? I'm using a slow-cooker!
Might this actually be the cause of your problem - I know that many Hot Stone students use a slow cooker instead of a full size heater in order to reduce their initial costs. But I would have thought that in a slow cooker the stones are going to be stacked tighter - this might lead to an uneven temperature distribution with the inner stones accumulating more heat than those on the outside. The larger area of a proper heater would aid a more even temperature, and is more accurately controlled given that most have a thermostatic control that you can set within 5 degrees.
It would be interesting to hear from other HS practitioners who use a slow-cooker as to whether they have similar issues.
RE: Timings and temperature
I would say that you can't beat having the right equipment to keep the stones at the set temperature - some where around 50-55 deg C.
One of the pleasures of doing a stone treatment is allowing the stones to work with you - sounds as if you are almost fighting them at the moment and they are not doing what you ask . But you are sending mixed signals heating them up too much and then asking them to cool down within the same treatment.
Give them the right environment and they will perform beyond all your expectations. It may cost a little more to get the right heater but you will make this back over the course of giving more and more stone treatments of really high quality
RE: Timings and temperature
ORIGINAL: Lavandula
I'm having problems getting the temperature just right for the stones. They are either too hot ........................ or the stones are warm but don't stay warm long enough which means I need to use twice the amount of stones I have!
Any suggestions? Should I turn the cooker down when turn the client over? I'm using a slow-cooker!
I haven't ever used a slow cooker............... so can't comment on its temperature variations for the hot stones.............. but....................... I wonder if you are using a thermometer. I have a hot stone heater but I check the temperature of the water with a separate thermometer before the treatment starts............ and then again at the turn-over. this gives you the oportunity to turn the heater down if the stones are getting too hot.
you could buy a hot stone bag......... or make one out of towelling (they are about 9" by 12" made from a double layer of material including towelling)......... which you put the stones into to keep warm .............. the advantage of this is that while you are massaging with two of the stones and perhaps have another 2 out of the heater on your trolley (or on couch beside the client --- whichever is the way you work) you could then have several more stones in the bag keeping warm but not being heated with the danger of getting too hot in your slow cooker.
it does take a while after qualifying before you really get comfortable and proficient with the stones................ don't worry.......... I found that experimenting on friends was the best way to gain confidence............... perhaps you could offer them free treatments............ or charge £5 or so to cover the cost of heating stones and washing towels.
above all get to know your stones well and enjoy using them
blessings, Marcie
RE: Timings and temperature
hi, i use a large hot stone heater for the full massage but a smaller slow cooker for smaller treatments, and i have had to just watch the thermometer throughout the treatments ( everytime i get a stone out) as i have done more and more treatments i have got used to the heaters. with my slow cooker i found that if i get it to the 50 degree C (120F)before i start then put it on low it only needs turning up for a couple of times during the treatment then back down after about 5 minutes. after you have done a couple you do start to have a sixth sense of when they need a quick burst of heat! as for timings i keep running over but slowely getting better the more i do!!! i have done an intro offer of half price and its great with my regular cleints as they know i am still learning!
good luck:D[sm=jump2.gif]