A friend called (a real call - not a text) and said her hip was sore and she needed some warmth on this cool fall day. A hot stone massage was requested. I鈥檒l happily oblige her 馃拞
@Quimliqer Therapists like myself have a "roaster" (for a full session with stones) that is designed to heat at a lower temp. Most typically, I aim for 130潞F. for my working stones, those that are about the size of a deck of cards. (I also have larger "placement" stones that are placed on the base of the spine, sacrum, or belly, and they go up to about 6-8 pounds.) At this temp, I can apply a towel and stones to the spine, sacrum, etc. , but if applied to the body directly, I have to keep them moving until they drop to 120潞F or less. "Spent" stones can be removed into a small tub for that purpose, or left on the body in certain places to continue giving some therapeutic effect. As an adjunct or a mini-session, I will use my crock-pot for up to about a dozen "working stones", but I never run it past "'low" when working on the client. I will bring it to about 120潞F, and turn it to "keep warm". Some of the stored heat in the crock will continue to heat the stones to about 130潞F. ALWAYS take the temp of the stones with an infrared touchless thermometer before using the stones, and ALWAYS check in with your partner/client/recipient to be sure they are comfortable. Money-saving hint. Do NOT buy your stones at "massage supply stores" and waste your money. I went to a garden supply center, spent a couple of hours, and picked out my own, individually matched and paired "LaPaz" pebbles. I got about 20 matched pairs of working stones, plus small stones and larger cobbles for the "placement" stones. (Pebbles is kind of a misnomer since they run about the size of a deck of cards.) Look for kidney bean shaped ones for versatility. I paid about 50垄 per pound / .45 kg. , a fraction of what you will be paying at the supply houses. Cost me under $50 for the whole shebang.
@CantExplain Most therapists will use a towel for the slightly warmer and larger "placement stones" since they will stay in one place and continue to heat that same place for about 1/3- 1/2 of the session. The "working stones" are usually applied with a lotion or a bit of oil to add to the smoothness of the glide over the skin. It makes a bit more work after the session when we have to degrease and disinfect the stones, but it makes for a smoother experience.
