Lava Shell Massage

The Lava Shells are light, considering part of a GOOD hot stone treatment is having the weight of the stones do the work, rather than the therapist having to do as much work, you immediately lose that benefit. Also the heating stuff in the shells is a consumable so you have that continuing cost every time you do a treatment.

The heating stuff in the shells provides continuous heat, so no running back to the stone heater to grab a hot stone.

I think the lava shells can do a nice spa style relaxing warm massage, but for therapeutic results I'd be looking for something larger and for some cold to be included, be that hot and cold stones or heat pads and ice packs, the temperature is what leads to significant therapeutic results whatever medium you are using to deliver the temp

I have done the training with a company called shared beauty secrets. It is a 2 day course and you get a certificate with it. it is recognisable by some professional bodies and also you can get insured. It's a self heating massage tool, how it works is by putting a lava gel sachet (it looks like a tea bag) inside the lava shell and then pour the activator which is a saline solution into it. Allow it to heat and absorb the activator for 5 to 7 minutes and it's ready to use. The heat can last up to an hour.The secret of it is to know how to monitor the heat. They are eco friendly unlike the hot stones which use electricity to heat them up, they are very easy to clean, they take tiny space to store them, hygienic, non porous; they do not absorb bacteria or oil, what's more shells retain the heat 10-12 times longer than hot stones.
They can be used for relaxation as well as deep tissue work. The only disadvantage is if you drop them on cement or hard tiles they can break. I find it a very nice treatment to have.

... how it works is by putting a lava gel sachet (it looks like a tea bag) inside the lava shell and then pour the activator which is a saline solution into it. ..... They are eco friendly unlike the hot stones which use electricity to heat them up

How eco friendly are the gel sachet? They are single use only aren't they?

I did a one day training for Lava shells. I find the shells a lovely treatment to have and do. I have not had a stone treatment, so cannot talk of them. The teabags are single use but are made from herbsand can be put in your compost bin after use. The shells are ecoogically sourced, and are a by product of the clams which are eaten by philipinos, and so would otherwise be thrown away.
Shared beauty secrets now offer a detox treatment which involves hot and cold shell work, so you have many options. Maybe go and find local therapists and have a shell and a stone treatment and seee what you think. you can ask your therapist questions about each option then too.