For thousands of years humans have been utilizing the natural resources of the earth to promote health and healing.  Everything from plants to gemstones to water has been used in almost every culture to assist in alleviating pain and disease.  As early as 4000 years ago records show that the Chinese used heated stones to relieve muscle pain.  Today heated stones are being used for this same reason.  If you visit any spa or talk to other massage therapists you will find hot stone massage to be a popular part of services offered. Hot stone massage, a form of thermal therapy, can help promote deep muscle and tissue relaxation, reduce stress in the body, provide pain relief, improve circulation, and assist in calming the nervous system.  In addition to these client benefits, hot stone massage offers benefits to the therapist as well.  For example, the use of heated stones can warm up the tissue allowing the therapist to reach the deeper layers of fascia with less effort.  At the same time this approach can provide the therapist with new and fun tools to practice the art of massage therapy. In hot stone massage a specific type of stone, often basalt or “river rock”, is heated in a specially designed heater to a temperature of about 125 degrees.  The therapist then uses these stones as an extension of their hands.  The hot stone practitioner may also choose to place them on specific points of the body while working on other areas of the body.  It is my belief that the mineral content of these stones works to assist the body in removing toxins as well as providing a sense of grounding in the client. If you have never received a hot stone massage and are interested in adding something new to offer your clients, I would encourage you to check out this wonderful modality as part of your own self-care and that of your clients.   In class, we will practice both giving and receiving treatments.  I hope you will join us! For more information or to register for this upcoming course on October 27-28, 2012 please visit our website.