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Step 1
Evaluate your mother's heat tolerance. The stones used in the massage are heated to about 150 degrees F. The technician always holds them first to make sure they are not dangerously hot, but older people may be more sensitive to heat.
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Step 2
Expect to pay a somewhat high price when you book the appointment. However, many justify the price by considering the benefits, which are both immediate and long term. They include a certain level of relief from arthritis, fibromyalgia, anxiety and insomnia.
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Step 3
Look for a spa that offers hot stones massage on the SpaFinder website (see Resources below).
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Step 4
Ask how long the treatment takes. A good hot stone massage should last at least 1 hour. However, your mother should expect to stay at the facility for closer to 2 hours.
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Step 5
Speak to a spa representative and verify that the therapist who will perform the massage is not only trained in using the stones, but also has some experience.
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Step 6
Book your reservation 1 month in advance.
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Step 7
Pay by credit card or check. Mail your check 7 to 10 days before the appointment, so it has a chance to clear. You may want to pay by cash if you live close enough to the spa.
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Step 8
Ask the spa to send you a written conformation of the massage appointment. It should note the date and time. Give this to your mother in her card or attached to another gift.
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Step 9
Explain the procedure to your mother beforehand. Prepare her for the fact that the technician will need to move her towel to expose various areas of her body.
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Step 10
Provide lunch or dinner after, not before, the massage. A massage on a full stomach can be acutely uncomfortable and may even cause vomiting.
