Stone massage: types, recommendations, technique

In this material we will tell you about stone therapy - a procedure that even a demanding customer will appreciate. This is a technique that has been used by masters for thousands of years to achieve a healing, rejuvenating, immune-strengthening effect. We talk about how to conduct sessions from a massage master for your clients or at home for loved ones.

What is stone therapy? What stones are used?

Stone therapy originated in Ancient China. Its peculiarity is that during a massage session the master uses stones heated to the required temperature. As a rule, volcanic rocks such as basalt are used for heating in massage, while white marble is usually classified as cold.

The stones used in stone therapy are characterized by a special shape: flat and round, and their surface is polished, although in some cases (for example, for cleansing the skin) rough specimens are used.

Often, facial massage is performed using various semi-precious stones, which, according to professionals, have unique energy and properties. Naturally, the cost of such attributes is high, it is reflected in the price of the massage itself, which does not stop connoisseurs who believe in the beneficial effects of minerals.

The heat that black stones give off gradually warms the body and improves blood flow. Due to this effect, the flow of oxygen and beneficial nutrients to the organs increases. And the use of white pebbles helps relieve pain and inflammation.

For black stones, specialized heaters are used to heat them to a temperature of 45 to 55 degrees. In this case, the temperature of white stones depends on the chosen technique and ranges from 0 to +10 degrees.

For stone therapy, the environment of the office is important. As a rule, during the session a peaceful atmosphere is created, in which relaxing music is played and the lights are dimmed. Aromatherapy techniques are often added to this, which allows the patient to tune in to the procedure, relaxing as much as possible.

Proper massage gives positive multidirectional results:

• relaxation of the body;
• getting rid of swelling;
• reduction of headaches;
• acceleration of metabolism;
• improvement of blood circulation, acceleration of lymph flow;
• relieving muscle spasms;
• increasing the level of immunity;
• rejuvenation of the skin of the face and body, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and other age-related manifestations;
• improvement of mental states;
• cleansing the pores of the face and body;
• increasing skin tone and elasticity, reducing the appearance of cellulite;
• removing toxins from the body, improving well-being.

Is it possible to do it yourself?

Stone massage is a complex technique that requires training and good practical training from the master. A full procedure can only be done in a cosmetology or massage salon. This requires special knowledge and skills, which only a certified master possesses. Inept actions will cause more harm than good. In addition, special sets of stones, essential oils and equipment are used for treatment.

Carrying out stone therapy yourself is difficult from a technical point of view. In particular, you can place stones on your stomach and the front of your legs. It will not be possible to treat the back area, lower back, or back of the thighs at home. During the procedure, you need to relax as much as possible. If you try to massage yourself, this will not work.

Just what the doctor ordered: who should use stone therapy?

People who have problems with:

• chronic fatigue;
• headaches, muscle pain:
• depression, stress, apathy;
• insomnia;
• with a reduced level of immunity;
• age-related changes in the skin of the face and body;
• metabolic disorders;
• decreased muscle tone;
• cellulite, unwanted fat deposits;
• slowing down the outflow of lymph;
• physical and/or mental fatigue;
• stomach ulcer;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia, bulimia, anorexia;
• diseases of the genitourinary system;
• angina pectoris.

Indications and contraindications

Initially, this massage was invented to solve problems associated with pain in muscles and joints . And he really does a great job with them. Moreover, in addition to treating old inflammations or injuries, stone therapy is also recommended for muscle atrophy. After all, with the help of this technique, the muscles will easily gain tone. In addition, stone massage is used to combat excess fat deposits. Stone therapy also improves lymph flow, blood circulation, helps the body remove toxins and strengthen the immune system. In addition to its effect on the body, stone therapy has a very good effect on the nervous system. Therefore, it is used as an aid in the fight against apathy, depression, stress, chronic fatigue syndrome, and sleep disorders.

Despite its unique healing properties, there are limitations to using this type of massage. It is not recommended to use it if you have :

• Open wounds or ulcers.
• High blood pressure.
• Skin diseases.
• Diabetes.
• Pregnancy.
• Oncological diseases.

Hot or cold: performing stone therapy using different temperatures

The stones are heated to a temperature of 44-55 degrees. They are often lubricated with an aromatic liquid and then placed on the client’s body. It is useful to combine this with massage sessions. Stone therapy dilates blood vessels, relaxes muscles, speeds up metabolism and blood flow. Heated stones affect the deep layers of muscles, which provides a powerful analgesic effect, which also enhances the overall relaxation of the body. Stone therapy fights insomnia better than many medications.

Sessions using cold stones (from 0 to +10 degrees) are an excellent technique that improves immunity, fights shortness of breath, and chronic sinusitis. Stone therapy is used to relieve pain from injuries and sprains, and to relieve headaches.

Can we do it all together? We are talking about performing stone therapy using hot and cold attributes at one time!

The most powerful effect of increasing immunity, improving blood circulation, improving skin condition, removing toxins from the body - and this is not all the positive aspects of this procedure. Hot stones dilate blood vessels, cold stones constrict, which “invigorates” all body systems.

What are the benefits of stone massage

The benefits of hot stone massage last for several months. Among the advantages of treatment are:

• Increased performance and mood;
• Normalization of blood pressure, pulse, breathing;
• Improving thermoregulation in cold and hot weather;
• Disappearance of muscle spasms, headaches and dizziness;
• Improved mood, disappearance of anxiety;
• Increasing resilience during the ARVI season;
• Losing weight, improving figure contours, reducing cellulite;
• Normalization of appetite, change in eating habits, lack of tendency to overeat.

To get a greater effect from the procedure, add aromatic massage oils. After completing the course, it is recommended to balance the diet and give the body dosed physical activity. Other procedures will help enhance the benefits of treatment - a bath with birch brooms, therapeutic mud, etc.

Details about choosing stones for massage

First, decide why you want to perform stone therapy for a family member at home or what effect your client expects. The choice of stone type directly depends on this. We talk in detail about each of them.

Basalt. If you are conducting a stone therapy session with hot stones, you should take a closer look at this black or gray igneous rock. Basalt retains heat well. You can buy small stones from this rock to work with your toes, as well as medium and large stones for the areas of the back, abdomen, and legs.

White marble, jade, slate are suitable for cold massage sessions, as they hold low temperatures well.

Topaz, amethyst, malachite, agate, aventurine, amber. These semi-precious stones are used as a conductor of the energy a person needs to influence a certain area of ​​life.

Types of stones used

Not all natural minerals are suitable for stone massage. Now we will figure out which stones are suitable for this procedure. Basically, for health purposes they prefer to use basalt or marble. Basalt retains heat for a very long time and has strong positive energy, which it shares with humans. But before using it, it is worth checking for the presence of radioactivity so as not to cause irreparable harm to the patient’s health.

Nowadays jadeite is widely used and has a bright green hue and is full of joy and inspiration. Due to its appearance and volcanic origin, it is called the imperial mineral and is used in saunas. In ancient times, jadeite was considered a noble stone and was owned only by the Japanese and Chinese nobility. Jewelry and dishes were made from it, it was used in the treatment of serious diseases, it was considered a unique amulet and an excellent medicine. At that time it was more famous than gold and emeralds. The Mexicans used it to cure deadly diseases. Currently, jadeite enjoys well-deserved success among lithotherapists, as it has a positive effect on blood composition and fights diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract. If this gem is heated, its qualities increase significantly.

The stones for the procedure may be different. So, at home you can use the following gems:

• pearls – improves the condition of the skin, rejuvenates;
• lapis lazuli – after a person has been in the sun for a long time, it can soothe the skin and has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• hematite – improves blood circulation;
• diamond – used for facial massage, makes the skin elastic;
• moonstone – copes with problematic and oily skin, improves the circulatory system;
• aventurine – used for facial stone massage;
• amber - it is believed that it is endowed with magic, it can prolong youth, improve the condition of the skin, help with ulcers and skin problems, and remove suppuration;
• rock crystal – perfectly relaxes the body, improves blood circulation;
• jade – ideal for combating wrinkles and sagging skin.

The origin of stones for stone massage can be different. They can be marine or broken off from rocks. The diameter also varies depending on the application area. As a rule, their parameters range from 5 to 10 centimeters. For the face it is customary to use amazonite, agate, and chalcedony.

It is believed that massage with any precious stones that are in the house can have a positive effect on the condition of the human body. The only condition is that they must be flat and smooth, and not miniature, otherwise sliding will not work. Gems should not scratch the skin or cause discomfort during the massage process. It is strictly forbidden to use heavy massive formations. They can damage the spine.

Stages of a stone therapy session

1. Rubbing with aromatic oils to relax the patient and prepare the body for further manipulations.
2. Placing small fragments in areas of biological activity - between the fingers.
3. Placement on certain areas of the human body (legs, lower back, etc.)
4. Rubbing, pressing, stroking individual areas using heated stones.

Traditionally, massage begins from the bottom up: from the feet to the neck. In this case, the patient must immediately report the appearance of discomfort, after which the stone therapy tactics must be adjusted or radically changed.

After the massage, the person is recommended to relax and drink green tea. Experts are confident that this drink can increase the effect of stone therapy by accelerating metabolic processes.

Rose quartz

Rose quartz is indicated primarily for those whose skin is inflamed or reactive. This stone has the ability to effectively retain temperature, so it remains cool during use. Thanks to its cooling properties, the crystal soothes inflammation and reduces redness. Rose quartz is credited with the ability to draw out internal inflammation, soothing and regulating microcirculation. Recommended for use before bedtime, as it quickly restores calm, reduces tension and relaxes facial expressions, preventing the appearance of wrinkles.

Choose: - Naturelle rose quartz gouache (our bestseller) - Odacité rose quartz gouache - Naturelle rose quartz rollerball

And now about everything in more detail: the rules of stone therapy, techniques and techniques

1. The session time is 40 minutes. The massage procedure can be performed once to relax the body, or as a course to get rid of specific problems.
2. Ventilate the room. Before a massage session, it is useful to use aroma diffusers with natural oils. The smell should calm the client - strong scents are not suitable. Dim the lights and play relaxing music.
3. Heat the stones to a temperature of 45-55 degrees using a heater. You will need more stones than you will use at the same time to influence the client's body: when some cool down, others must already be heated in order to replace the first.
4. Assist the patient into a supine position. The buttock area remains covered with a towel.
5. Before starting stone therapy, some therapists ask the client to do breathing exercises for a minute or two to start the relaxation process.
6. Apply the oil to the client's body. To achieve the best effect from stone therapy, use aromatic oils.
7. Take small stones and wrap them in natural fabric. Place between your toes.
8. Place the stones near your face and on your palms. They should also be wrapped in cloth so that they do not cool quickly.
9. Place it on the active points of the body located on the back, arms, legs.
10. If you want to add a stone massage to the procedure, then you should walk along the main massage lines with warm stones lubricated with oil.
11. Cover the client with a towel and leave him lying down for a few minutes.

Rules for performing energy massage

For massage, oval stones with smooth edges and without chips are used. Their width can be from 3 to 5 cm, and their length - from 4 to 8 cm. The most important thing is to keep them perfectly clean. To do this, use alcohol or saline solution. These remedies also rid the gem of negative energy that the stones may have been filled with during the previous session.

How are the procedures carried out? First you need to thoroughly clean the skin. All makeup is removed from the face using tonic or lotion. Use oils or creams that are most suitable for this skin type. This is necessary for the smoothest sliding of stones along the body. The duration of the massage is 30 minutes. In order for facial skin to be completely rejuvenated, experts recommend at least 25 sessions with an interval of one day. If we are simply talking about cleansing the skin, then you can limit yourself to 15 massages. The frequency of sessions is the same.

Preparatory process

For whatever purpose stone massage is performed, it is imperative to carry out preliminary preparation of the client’s body. The master will give recommendations on how to prepare for the session. The most important thing is that the person’s body should be clean and relaxed. This is a necessary condition to achieve the desired result. Otherwise, proper energy exchange may not occur between the patient and the stones.

A person must throw out everything negative from his head: fears and worries, problems and troubles, get away from the bustle of life, leave unresolved matters outside. As for the mobile phone, you need to turn it off, and not just turn down the volume. This is the only way to get ready for a stone massage. Next is the work of the master. He will prepare the body for the start of the procedure by performing a gentle warming massage using aromatic oils.

Energy massage technique

After carrying out the preliminary procedures, the specialist proceeds directly to the stone massage. Two bowls are being prepared. Hot water is poured into one, cold water into the other. Moreover, ice is added to the latter to maintain the desired temperature. All actions are carried out along massage lines. The duration of each stage is from 2 to 3 minutes.

For facial rejuvenation, the technique is quite simple:

• movements are carried out from the neck and gradually reach the chin;
• from the center of the chin to the earlobes;
• from the corners of the mouth to the ears;
• from the nostrils to the tips of the ears;
• from the middle of the forehead to the temples.

The first stage of the massage involves the use of hot stones. Afterwards, cold minerals are used in a similar way. The final stage is applying a nourishing cream to the skin of the face.

To relax a person before the stone procedure, he is placed on a massage table. To give the body comfort, it is covered with a warm towel. Afterwards, the hot stones are wrapped in linen and placed in the person’s palms. Cold and hot stones are placed near the feet. To achieve complete relaxation and opening of all chakras, the specialist uses an “opening spiral”.

When the body is completely relaxed, the massage therapist begins to place minerals on certain energy spots. This is a very serious stage. The final result and the ability to avoid negative consequences depend on it. Using hot and cold components, the master works on the torso, legs, and arms. The session ends with a “closing spiral.”

To treat the back, the patient is placed on his stomach and a warm stone wrapped in cloth is placed under him. The next mineral is placed in the sacrum area and a couple of pieces around the neck. The person is covered with a towel. Using special massage movements, the master works with each back muscle. Once the massage is completed, the patient's legs and arms are rubbed with aromatic oils, and the body is tightly wrapped in a sheet. The person is given a little hot chamomile tea to drink.

How to carry out stone therapy at home?

Home stone therapy sessions are carried out according to the same scheme as professional ones. Such procedures provide an excellent relaxing effect, help get rid of insomnia and moderate headaches. Home massage is carried out according to the same scheme as a professional procedure. Be careful with the temperature: don't overheat. Can be heated in hot water. After removing the stones from the water, wipe them with a towel and only then place them on your “client’s” body. This massage procedure will be an excellent evening gift for a loved one and will help your loved ones save money on sessions with a specialist.

How to sign up for a stone therapy session?

You can sign up for a stone massage by calling 8-499-110-18-02 or using the form on the website.

Good news for women - during March, the price of stone therapy is reduced by 50% for beautiful ladies! The total cost of the procedure is 2500 rubles.

Reviews from patients who have undergone stone therapy are only positive. Everyone notes calmness and lightness after the procedure, increased strength. Come and feel these positive emotions for yourself!

You can ask questions about the work of the cosmetology department, as well as about complex dental treatment, to the chief physician of the clinic, Sergei Vladimirovich Tsukor, at

How to perform stone therapy with cold stones?

Many people are stopped by the fear that a massage session will not have a relaxing effect. On the contrary, cooled stones heat up from the body and help produce a relaxing warming effect, which many patients find even more pleasant than a hot massage. The body begins to work more actively because it tries to warm up the cooled areas, all internal processes start “at full capacity.” The massage session is performed in the same way as a hot one, only the stones are not heated, but cooled. The difference from the procedure using heated stones is that during its implementation the master asks the client to take a deep breath and exhale, only then place it on the body. The cold stone is not placed next to the face, as is done in the previous method. First, the abdominal area, outer areas of the arms and legs are worked on, and then the patient is helped to gently roll over onto his stomach.

Stone effect

The principle of this process is the use of minerals at different temperatures. There are biologically active points on the face that correspond to certain internal organs. When exposed, the balanced functioning of the body is restored. Massage also affects the condition of the facial muscles and skin.

Unlike traditional manual techniques, there is no mechanical processing of the fibers. A positive effect is achieved through the use of special stones and exposure to different temperature conditions.

The result of a stone massage:

• blood circulation is activated;
• oxygen breathing is restored;
• metabolism accelerates;
• toxins and oxidants are removed;
• wrinkles are smoothed out;
• the oval line is corrected;
• the supply of nutrients to cells improves;
• Collagen synthesis is stimulated, fiber elasticity increases.

Thanks to facial massage, it is possible to get rid of negative emotions and restore your state of mind. The relaxation effect allows you to cope with different types of wrinkles and prevent the appearance of sagging puffiness.

Indications for:

• aging skin;
• facial, static wrinkles;
• double chin, shaved;
• displacement of the oval contour;
• unhealthy color.

Attention! Massage is prescribed at the first signs of aging, as well as to correct age-related changes. Recommended for problem skin, to normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands.

Contraindications to stone therapy

• acute infectious diseases;
• circulatory disorders, bleeding;
• cancer, some skin diseases;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• chronic diseases in the acute stage;
• diabetes mellitus, pregnancy;
• inflammatory processes, elevated body temperature;
• phlebeurysm.

Thus, we can state the fact that you should sign up for stone therapy only after consultation with a therapist. If you have no contraindications, then massage will certainly benefit your health. In addition, the massage procedure itself is very pleasant and will give you pleasure.

What else you need to consider: contraindications, possible side effects

Like any other physiotherapeutic procedure, therapeutic massage has contraindications. A massage therapist may refuse to perform a procedure on a patient if there are symptoms of ARVI or any infectious or inflammatory disease.

While taking blood thinning medications, it is recommended to replace deep massage with superficial relaxing techniques. Otherwise, hematomas may appear on the body.

“Local” contraindications, such as burns and open wounds, are not always a reason to reschedule a scheduled session. If the patient does not feel pain or discomfort, the specialist will perform a massage, going around the problem area.

As for unpleasant side effects, in most cases patients have no complaints.

But after myofascial release and deep tissue massage, body aches and soreness may occur. Usually, unpleasant symptoms disappear on their own a few days after the procedure.

During the massage itself, slight discomfort is allowed. But if the painful sensations are so intense that it is impossible to endure, then you need to inform the specialist. The specialist will select the optimal pressure force.

Overall, numerous studies confirm the safety of therapeutic massage. But you should not think that a physiotherapeutic procedure can replace prescribed drug treatment. Massage does not replace drug therapy, but only complements it.

What do you need to know before undergoing stone therapy?

1. Always check the temperature of the stones if you heat them with water.
2. Do not place stones on lymph nodes.
3. Use hypoallergenic oils. If performing the procedure at home, 15 minutes before the massage, apply a drop of oil to your wrist and check the body’s reaction.
4. Carefully study the massage lines and active points before you start performing sessions.
5. The patient should refuse to eat two hours before the session and for an hour after. If the procedures are carried out as a course, then during it you should stop smoking and drinking alcohol.

Precautionary measures

Stone massage includes working not only with the physical shell, but also with energy chakras. The master must have knowledge and experience in the field of bioenergies and have a medical education. The use of thermal procedures requires physiotherapeutic training. Therefore, when choosing a massage therapist, you need to rely not only on reviews, but also on education and practice in oriental medicine.

Safety precautions:

• During the procedures, you should give up bad habits - smoking, drinking alcohol.
• You should limit your consumption of coffee, strong tea and other tonic drinks.
• The weight of the stones used is no more than 100 g.
• After the session, rest is required, it is better to do it in the afternoon.
• It is not recommended to carry out water procedures on the day of stone massage.

Contraindications:

• endocrine pathologies;
• rosacea;
• inflammation, purulent formations on the face;
• oncology;
• headache;
• diabetes;
• viral and infectious diseases.

Using the knowledge of oriental medicine will keep your skin fresh and youthful. A relaxing, painless procedure will leave your skin feeling soft and velvety. Impact on biologically active points will provide a charge of vital energy.

What professions would benefit from studying stone therapy?

1. Massage therapists - you can add a new technique to your price list. Masters who master the stone therapy technique stand out from competitors who can only perform classic massage options.
2. For spa professionals, all guests will enjoy this relaxing procedure.
3. Cosmetologists - any beauty procedure works more effectively if it is complemented by sessions aimed at relaxing the body and getting rid of spasms (especially tension in the CVZ area, which greatly affects the formation of age-related changes in the face).

The secrets of stone therapy are also useful for those who want to help family and friends by giving a massage after a hard day at work. Even home massage sessions have a noticeable relaxing effect and relieve mild headaches and insomnia without the use of medications.

Deep tissue massage

A rather painful technique that allows you to work deep muscles, eliminate tension, and joint problems. The massage therapist's movements are slow, but very intense. The specialist literally “takes into his hands” the organs, kneads the tendons and fascia located deep under the skin.

Deep tissue massage cannot be called relaxing. But it is this technique that has a real therapeutic effect. A course of massage therapy usually does not last long, but it can relieve chronic tension, eliminate sprains and speed up recovery from injuries.

Is it possible to learn the rules of performing stone therapy on your own?

To answer this question, it is worth answering another: why can treatments from one massage therapist be much more effective than sessions from another specialist, provided that the same stone therapy technique is performed? Why can the first one treat headaches and muscle pain in any area, improve the condition of patients with vegetative-vascular dystonia, and provide an anti-aging effect, while the second one can only relax the client for a short period of time? It's all about the knowledge that the specialist has.

What size stones should I choose for impact?

How to take into account the individual characteristics of each patient’s body so as not to harm him?

How to have the greatest relaxing effect when affecting a minimum number of points?

How to prepare the room for the procedure?

What areas should be worked on during a stone massage?

How to properly combine hot and cold techniques together?

A competent master knows the answers to these questions and knows how to solve serious problems of patients, and a specialist who studied the technique on his own, unfortunately, will be able to provide only a minimal relaxing effect, which will be accompanied by the risk of complications, because the person performing the procedure does not know its basics and does not know how to take into account the individual characteristics of the client.

Stone therapy is the oldest massage technique, which is effective only if all the rules for its implementation are followed, which are passed down from generation to generation. This technique requires knowledge of anatomy and the ability to work with human energy - skills that only a practitioner can impart. Unfortunately, due to the apparent ease of performing the session, today there are many “pseudo-masters” who teach the secrets of stone therapy. Beware of such specialists if you want to master the technique to achieve truly good results for your clients.

At the School of Massage Masters, the stone therapy course is taught by a master with extensive practical experience, which he happily shares with his students. If you are getting acquainted with massage procedures for the first time, this is not at all scary, because we provide all the necessary consumables free of charge, as well as a massage table at home for the duration of the training.

Do you want to start a career in the beauty and health industry? It seems like the best time has come for this!

Author of the article:

Practicing: 15 years, Teaching: 8 years

What types of therapeutic massage are there?

Experienced massage therapists master several techniques at once. There are even trends: 10-15 years ago everyone was fond of Swedish massage, and today gua sha is popular. But each technique has its own advantages and disadvantages. It cannot be said that one method is better than another. A good therapist himself selects a technique based on the client’s requests.

Some techniques involve the use of oils and medicinal ointments, others are performed “dry”.

Most massages require you to undress, although some massage therapists work through your clothes. When choosing a specialist, you need to check the certificates and understand what techniques he knows. A good massage therapist will listen to all wishes, check indications and contraindications and develop an individual therapy program.

However, you need to know the features of each technique in order to understand what to expect from the procedure.