A Little History

The use of stones and gemstones for healing purposes dates back thousands of years.

Verbal and written history confirms that the Chinese used heated stones over two thousand years ago as a means of improving the function of internal organs. Stones were used for healing work in Native America, South America, Africa, Europe, Egypt & India. These traditions included laying stones in patterns on the body, carrying or wearing stones for health and protection, using stones in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and ceremonial uses, such as in sweat lodges and medicine wheels. The healing practices of "curanderas" and other women caregivers often included dealing with disease as well as pregnancy and childbirth. These Native folk healers used heated stones to diminish the discomfort of menstruation, and the application of cold stones to slow bleeding after labor. Some sources cite instances of cultures in which women believed that holding stones during labor added to their strength and endurance.

Ancient Greek and Roman cultures have a long recorded history of many forms of massage and bodywork. The Roman Empire, which dates from 27 BCE to 476 CE, is noted for its creation of the Roman baths. That tradition is still with us today in the form of modern hydrotherapy practices. The Romans used stones in saunas and combined the effects of hot immersion baths with the cooling effects of marble stone and cold pools.

Benefits and Indications

As practicing massage therapists, we are all familiar with the plethora of the potential physical, body-mind, and energetic influences of massage on our clients. There is an ever-growing body of research that confirms the positive effects of massage on the cardiovascular, lymphatic, lymphoid (immune), integumentary (including fascia), musculoskeletal, endocrine, nervous and digestive systems.

Hydrotherapy and the application of heat and cold to the body to produce therapeutic effects can be traced to ancient times. Incorporating stones into a massage protocol adds a medium for the application of heat and/or cold to the body. The client experiences the added benefit of heat without the therapist having to provide a separate treatment from their normal massage protocol.

The body strives to maintain a normal body temperature of 98.6° F. The application of heat and cold causes predictable physiological changes In the body that can have powerful, positive therapeutic effects. The application of heat and cold may be general or local, of short or prolonged duration. The stones can be used hot, cold or in an alternating combination.

The Effects of Heat and Cold

The application of heat acts as a vasodilator, increasing circulation; increasing metabolism; increasing the inflammatory response (including a rise in leukocyte migration to the area); decreasing pain; decreasing muscle spasm; softening the tissues; and raising the body temperature.

The application of cold acts as a vasoconstrictor. The immediate short-term effect of cold is stimulating. The prolonged use of cold decreases metabolism; decreases inflammation; decreases pain; decreases muscle spasm; increases muscle tone; and has an analgesic effect. Cold applications can increase or decrease circulation depending upon the specific temperature: the colder the temperature, the greater the decrease in circulation.

Contrasting heat and cold causes the blood vessels to alternate between dilation and constriction. The overall effect is a dramatic increase in circulation. The stones can be used for a full body massage or for spot work in certain areas of the body. The combination of the heat from the stones, the essential oils, and the energetic effects of both the stones and the oils, produces a deep and penetrating state of relaxation and well-being.

Working with the stones also benefits the therapist. As bodyworkers we are always concerned about wear and tear on our wrists, hands, fingers and thumbs. This method of massaging with heated stones produces less stress on the wrists and hands of the therapist because she is sharing the work with the stones. Because of the heat, weight and density of the stones, the therapist does not have to work as hard as she normally would in order to have a deep penetrating effect on the tissues. Holding the stones throughout the massage, the therapist experiences the therapeutic effects of a heat application. The constant submersion of your hands in the water to retrieve the stones acts a hydrotherapy treatment. And to top it off, the therapist can also enjoy the energetic effects of the stones and essential oils.