How to Prepare the Limbs for a Hot Stone Massage

Contributor

By eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating:

(0 Ratings)

Hot stone massage uses hot volcanic stones in specific spots along the spine while a therapist massages the limbs. The results can be relaxing and deeply theraputic. Some massage therapists use the hot stones in their hands while massaging the limbs.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Place the heated stones on the appropriate areas of the person's back. How long the stones stay in place depends on how long they hold their heat.
Step 2

Apply lotion to the limb you are going to massage. Make sure that the lotion is warm before applying it to the person receiving the massage.
Step 3

Start massaging the limb with petrasage. This is the spreading of the muscles. Use the fingers and balls of the thumb. This is a massage movement commonly used for muscles that are above a bone, as in the arms and legs.
Step 4

Use compression techniques next. Compression is just as it sounds. Work up the limb, compressing the muscle for a few moments and then move to the next spot.
Step 5

Continue massaging the limb using various techniques. Stretching, compression and effleurage are all used. Effleurage is using long gliding strokes or stretching.
Step 6

Apply the same lotion and massage technique to the other limbs.