The Complete Spa Book for Massage Therapists

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

The Complete Spa Book for Massage Therapists

STONE THERAPY: PRACTICALLESSON L-10.1


SPA THOUGHT

“Basalt stones’ qualities are stillness, sleep, rest, solidity. They open energy channels and are for grounding and focusing.”

Mary Nelson

LaStone Therapy


INTRODUCTION

• Techniques fall into two broad categories:– placing stones on the body– holding stones while applying massage

• Weave them together to create flow


PLACING STONES

• Placed on body while client exhales• Lifted away from body while client inhales• Tucked beneath the body at key locations• Laid under towel where erector spinae rest• Placed on energy vortexes, or chakras• Contour stones placed in hand or on sole• Larger stones placed on belly or sacrum• Small flat stones placed between toes• Tap stones together for piezoelectricity• Replace cool stones with warmer ones


PLACING ON EXHALATION


REMOVING ON INHALATION


TUCKING STONES


PLACING SPINAL STONES


CHAKRA STONES


CONTOUR STONES


LARGE STONE ON SACRUM


PLACING STONESBETWEEN TOES


TAPPING STONES


REPLACING STONES


MASSAGING WITH STONES

• Initial contact: gradually touch back of hand to skin first• Gliding: stones glide over skin similar to effleurage• Deep tissue: stones glide, then press deeper on

tension• Kneading: small stones in palms for petrissage• Friction: rub against muscle fibers• Trigger points: on trigger points, etc.• Transferring stones: graceful and flowing• Face massage: small stones, light pressure• Exchanging stones: trade cool for heated stones• Cold stones: can be used for massage


INITIAL CONTACT


GLIDING


DEEP TISSUE


KNEADING


FRICTION


TRIGGER POINTS


STONE MASSAGEBODY MECHANICS

• Especially important with stones massage

• Allow stones to do the work.

• Same concerns as Swedish massage– keep knees bent– avoid excessive bending at waist

• Use pinning and flipping.


• Therapist’s palm holds stone to the body

PINNING STONES


• Quickly turned at end of stroke when lifted

FLIPPING STONES


STONE MASSAGE TREATMENT

• Treatment can take many different forms.

• Spas can customize the service.– adding modalities– changing ingredients such as oils

• After mastering basics protocol here– expand skills in workshops

– receive training at spa where you work


STONE MASSAGE PROTOCOL

• Preparation– place stones in water 110°F–140°F– place cold stones in freezer or ice water– prepare massage table– arrange equipment for ease of use



• Procedure 1– client lies beneath the top drape supine– set intention– arrange spinal stones & have client lie back– place rounded neck stone beneath occiput– place 5 large stones atop chakra areas– place extra-small flat stones between toes– stone massage to left hand, arm & shoulder– tuck medium stone beneath left shoulder



• Procedure 2– massage right arm, tuck stone right shoulder– hot stone massage head, neck, & shoulders– cold stone massage to face– remove tucked stones from shoulders & toes– stone massage with oil to left foot & leg– tuck medium stone beneath left gluteal– repeat right leg, tuck stone gluteal muscles



• Procedure 3– click stone against chakra stones & remove– remove tucked stones, client sits up & turns

over– place extra-large warm stone on sacrum– apply oil & stone massage to the back– leave contour stones in palms– tuck stones beneath shoulders– massage the back with 2 large stones



• Procedure 4– apply oil & stone massage to left leg– repeat on the right leg– remove stone from sacrum, palms, deltoids– 2 large cold stones up left, down right– 2 cold stones on soles for a few seconds– light effleurage up legs & back– small hot stone on the crown point



• Cleanup– sanitize stones & replace in heating unit– change all table cover & draping linens– change water & sanitize warmer end of day


SUMMARY

• You now know:

– techniques for placing stones

– techniques for massaging with stones

– stone massage body mechanics

– basic stone massage protocol

Documents

The Complete Spa Book for Massage Therapists