Top 10 Qualities of Massage Stones

Educate yourself on the differences in qualities of
Hot Stone Massage stones.

The best stones for Hot Stone Massage are smooth, rounded basalt stones ideally suited for Hot Stone Massage applications.

The Top 10 Qualities to look for when purchasing a Hot Stone Massage set are:

1 - Stone Type: choose mono-colored dark basalt stones. Basalt is known for its superior heat retention characteristics. This is due to its high iron and magnesium content.

If you use an assortment of stone types such as sedimentary stones or river cobbles, the stones will not heat at the same rate, and will be at different temperatures during your massage session.

This is frustrating as a massage therapist, because you want the stones to be at the same temperature when you are giving the massage treatment.

Using stones of similar composition for your massage solves this problem, and maximizes the clients' enjoyment in the massage session.

2 - Stone Quality: smooth, rounded basalt stones are best. Confirm the stones you are buying are not pitted, jagged, or scratched.

3 - Stone Shape: choose well balanced stones, suitably shaped for hot stone massage applications. For example - use flat oval stones for spinal layouts, pointed acupressure stones for deep tissue work, and small thin stones to place between the toes.

4 - Paired Stones: we use similar sized partner stones in Hot Stone Massage sessions, one of equal size in each hand.

Choosing a hand selected stone set will increase your chance of getting paired stones in your set vs. mass produced stone sets, where less attention is paid to this detail.

5 - Number of Stones: a standard Hot Stone Massage Set typically includes 50 stones. Smaller stone sets are available for beginners, or larger stone sets for professional applications.

6 - Stone Condition: the stones in your set should come cleaned, washed, separated, and ready for use.

7 - Stone Packaging: ideally your stones will arrive clearly labeled according to stone function. ie - the sacrum stone is in a separate labeled bag from the spinal layout stones etc.

This will help you to identify the stones when you first receive them to familiarize yourself with their use.

8 - Stone Beauty: beautifully complied hot stone massage sets are a joy to work with and share. Who wants to give a deluxe massage or spa treatment with pitted or ugly stones?

9 - Hot Stone Massage Instruction: look for stone sets that come with detailed instructions on how to care for your stones, heat your stones, and how to perform a Hot Stone Massage.

This way you ensure the person selling them is familiar with Hot Stone Massage therapy and is knowledgeable about what stones are suited for Hot Stone Massage applications.

10 - Customizable: hand selected stone sets have the advantage of being customizable, so you get exactly the stones you want to suit your needs. Ie - smaller stones in a set for therapists with smaller hands, or switching out of stones you don't want to ones that you do.

Using this checklist as a guideline will help you find the best stones for Hot Stone Massage possible.

Good luck, and happy massaging!