When you think of iconic spa treatments, what comes to mind? Facials and body scrubs are a must, but when it comes to the visual associated with a spa treatment one is synonymous with ultimate relaxation: stone therapy.
Stone therapy, also known as stone massage, is a treatment that involves the use of hot or cold stones to deliver specific benefits. If you’re looking for a simple way to upgrade your spa menu, adding stone therapy is a great option. Not only does it make a wonderful add-on for massages and body treatments, but it offers a low upfront cost and limited requirements for additional training.
What is Stone Therapy?
Like many massage techniques, hot stone therapy is an ancient practice that dates back more than 2,000 years. The earliest practice of hot stone therapy can be traced to the Hindus in India who used hot stone therapy to relax the muscles and relieve pain roughly 5,000 years ago. The Chinese used heated stones in traditional healing practices as a means of boosting the function of internal organs, placing the stones in certain patterns on specific parts of the body.
Hot stone therapy eventually made its way to the Western world through Native American sweat lodges. While the stones weren’t applied directly to the body, the natives understood that the heat produced by the stones helped ease muscle tension and supports whole-body relaxation. Modern-day use of hot stones is varied for numerous applications. The stones are typically heated in water and replaced as they cool, though cold stones may also be used and alternated with heated stones.
The Benefits of Stone Therapy
Stone therapy typically involves the use of volcanic rock called basalt. The stones are smooth, flat, and valued for their ability to retain heat. During a hot stone massage, the therapist will utilize traditional massage techniques but may place the stones on specific parts of the body to boost circulation and relieve pain. Cold stone therapy can help reduce inflammation and stimulate the nervous system.
Here are some of the potential benefits of stone therapy:
- Hot stone therapy has been shown to support symptom relief in various pain conditions like fibromyalgia and autoimmune disorders.
- When combined with traditional massage techniques, hot stone therapy can help reduce stress and relieve anxiety.
- Stone therapy may help relax the muscles and ease tension in the joints – this is particularly beneficial for individuals with joint disorders.
- Cold stone therapy can help reduce swelling and relieve inflammation in the muscles and joints.
- Massage therapy has been associated with improved sleep in individuals suffering from insomnia and other sleep disorders.
In addition to placing the stones on the body, massage therapists may hold the stones in their hands while applying Swedish massage techniques. Stones are traditionally placed along the spine, on the stomach and chest, on the face, in the palms, and on the feet or between the toes.
Tips for Incorporating Stone Therapy into Your Spa
Stone therapy can be beneficial for any client who experiences muscle pain or tension, stress, inflammation, pain, or insomnia. Because stone therapy can be practiced in combination with traditional massage techniques, it makes a great add-on to your spa menu. Clients can choose to upgrade their massage or body treatment with a 15-minute stone therapy session.
Here are some additional tips for incorporating stone therapy into your spa:
- Do your research to determine which stones to purchase. Stone therapy stones come in a variety of sizes, so think about whether you’ll be using them for the body during massage and body treatments or for the face during facial treatments.
- Invest in the right equipment to safely heat your stones for hot stone massage. Your staff should spend some time training with the stones, so they learn how to achieve the proper temperature.
- Play up the healing aspect of hot stone therapy in your experiential services – therapists can explain the importance of positioning the stones in certain areas to help clients fully invest in the experience.
- Offer cold stone therapy as an add-on service for clients who come to the spa seeking pain or tension relief – cold stone therapy is often performed with marble rather than basalt, so make sure you have the proper stones.
The success of your spa business lies in creating a loyal customer base. Repeat clients account for the majority of your spa income, so it would serve you well to find ways to keep them coming back. Upgrading your spa menu with unique services like stone therapy is a simple change you can make to incorporate variety to keep your clients interested.