Stone massage
Encyclopedia
A stone massage is a massage
Massage
Massage is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle"...

 that uses smooth, flat, and heated rocks placed at key points on the body.

Technique

Generally the rocks used in a stone massage are basalt
Basalt
Basalt is a common extrusive volcanic rock. It is usually grey to black and fine-grained due to rapid cooling of lava at the surface of a planet. It may be porphyritic containing larger crystals in a fine matrix, or vesicular, or frothy scoria. Unweathered basalt is black or grey...

, which has high heat retention qualities (Heat Capacity
Heat capacity
Heat capacity , or thermal capacity, is the measurable physical quantity that characterizes the amount of heat required to change a substance's temperature by a given amount...

). Stones are placed in water and heated to approximately 125 °F (51.7 °C) before placement on the body. The stones are usually placed on specific points on the back, but can be placed other places such as between the toes, or in the palms of the hands.

Effect

The heat of the rocks causes muscles to relax, thus allowing the therapist to apply deeper, more precise pressure if desired or necessary.
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