Hot Stone. Gah.

[Gerbil Lover]

I just did my first Hot Stone since becoming licensed. The last time I did one was in school about 6 months ago! I always think I'm doing a bad job fumbling with the stones, losing contact with the client, not massaging with the stones "enough" to justify the higher price (I do alot of "hot hands" where I just use the heat from the stones to warm my hands then put my hands on the skin). Fortunately, the client was all "that was wonderful!" but, does anybody have any tips for making Hot Stone Massages go smoother?

 

[iTz moleman!]

Practice, practice and more practice. Like anything else, the more you do it, the smoother and more accomplished you'll be at it.

One thing I've learned (actually by accident) is that if I have the stones just a tad hotter than I want them, I can remove several from the warmer and have them handy (laying on the table) so when I'm ready for them I don't have to stop what I'm doing and go fetch them out of the water. I remove all I need for one limb or section of the body, do that part and then move on.

Good luck,
Angie

 

[eunice]

Hot Stone. Gah.

losing contact with the client

That happens with everyone and hot stones, you loose contact with the client while you go get a stone (or a few as moogie303 said), no way of avoiding it.

BUT it is amazing that if you have a few placement stones (at least a belly stone) the stones stay in contact with the client regardless of how long you fumble around at the heater taking the stones out and the client doesn't really notice the lost contact as much as you do - they still have a stone.

If you only do one occasionally, it will feel awkward, do more, and you'll get the flow.

 

[Jen K]

I have to agree, practice and lots of it...I love doing hot stone massage but it does take practice...it's a wonderful modality...and it feels so good on the therapists hands as well as the clients body!!! :

 

[Cruz C]

Waist carry pocket for hot stones?

Hey, all:

In one of the Hot Stone Videos I have, the therapist has a white, padded pocket tied around her waist to carry around several stones and keep them warm. She just reaches into the pocket when she needs a new stone.

I love doing the hot stone massage, but find it awkward going back and forth to the unit to retrieve more stones (means frequent breaks in hands-on time with clients.)

Does anyone have one of these? Know where I could order one?

Any other suggestions welcome!

BTW, off topic -- but the last two days I have had to log in to MassagePlanetL for everything I do -- even posting a reply. Is this happening to anyone else out there?

TIA, Sherry

 

[Pompal 09.]

Sherry,
I know what your talking about...I saw one of those patches on a website just today but for the life of me I cant remember what web site i was on..i was on so many, but it was one for Hot stone...I will check and see if i can find it..they look amazing..

 

[tr90814]

ok..sherry, found it!!! Its http://www.tirmassagestone.com/ its a hot stone pocket, it's $15.95 hope that helps!!! :

 

[rockin JC]

I'd like to share how I have my stones set up, though I don't do a full hot stone massage, and this works perfectly for me. My son built a small table for me with storage shelves underneath, just wide enough to fit my mini crock pot that I heat 8 palm stones in. I use 4 stones on each client's back. The stone table is at the head of the massage table and as I always start my clients out supine, when they turn over, I get 2 stones out to be cooling while I work the upper muscles and the ES down one side. By the time I'm done, the stones are just right to use on the side I've just worked. Before I start on the other side, I remove 2 more stones and do the same thing. If I have an hour massage instead of 30 min., I take 2 more out and at the end of the back massage, I put one in each hand and start at the upper traps and run down the ES and back up several times. It works out perfectly...

I always tell them in advance that I'll be doing the hot stones on their back, and when I'm applying the stone, I always ask if the heat is ok...even so, after they are dressed, and I show them the hot stones, they are amazed. It never fails that they say they thought it was just very warm lotion and they love it. I believe that my offering the stones as a complementary end to their massage has been a great booster in helping me do so well, thus far.

 

[Big Head 22]

The pocket is a neat idea! Several of my graduating class took a course on Hot Stone massage - I just finished my three massage requirements - just have to send them for the class files. When I did my first massage after the class, I felt the same way about not having as much contact with the person on the table. And my first massage ran much longer - I felt clumsy. When I was finished with the massage, I missed having the hand/skin contact - then looked at the clock only to realize I had ran WAY over on time. It just didn't feel like I had worked on the person that long. After my third hot stone massage, I have to say I feel more comfortable with the modality - and know that after more practice, my routine will smooth out. But I like the idea of the pocket! That would help cut out the stone handling time and more on the client. What I like about hot stone massage is it is definitely easier on the hands - and you don't have to worry about cold-hand shock either :shock:

Moogie - that's what I did today - placed my stones on the sides of the table and that helped me to have more time on the person instead of switching out stones constantly.

pookariah - just keep working on it - eventually you will feel more comfortable with your routine. That's what I am doing - I keep practicing on family and friends until I feel ready to perform it on an actual client.

 

[Radical Babez]

Thanks for all the great responses! This place rocks! 8)

Jacqueline -- thanks for the website! That's the pocket I was talking about and they have some other neat stuff, too! You must be better at searching than I am . . . I really, really looked!

I am loving all the suggestions here -- I will admit I don't do a full stone massage (yet?) -- but my clients love it when I work the back (and up into the neck), the arms, the legs, the feet. I am still feeling a little awkward with it, but they don't seem to notice. And doesn't it feel great for the therapist? Someone (bless you) way, way back suggested just using one stone to warm your hands before a massage. Instead of rubbing them vigorously back and forth to warm them up etc. -- the hot stone works beautifully and produces a much more relaxing warmth for both client and therapist.

I am ordering my "hot pocket" : today! Thanks, J and all!

Sherry

 

[misterk]

I agree--practice practice practice

I learned Hot Stone this last March, but didn't feel comfortable incorporating it into my practice until June. I became such a believer during the class that my plan became to include hot stones as a standard in all massages--and that is exactly what I've done since June. My clients said it made a huge difference, that they didn't realize just how relaxed they'd become or how much longer the benefits would last. They love it

And yes, you will break contact with your client. There's not much one can do to avoid that. However, you CAN time it so that it flows more naturally. I get out a few stones before uncovering the back. The stones are slightly hotter, so I can "work off of" the stone for a little while before putting them in direct contact with the client. When the back is finished and I pull the sheet back over, the client is completely covered at this point, and I go get another palm-sized stone for the posterior leg. And so on. I just grab stones before undraping each part. (Now, the pouch described above sounds like a REALLY neat idea, and I'm seriously considering getting one! It might be especially good for those 2-hr massages, where you use about twice the stones on each part and you want to keep the stones warm for the whole time instead of breaking contact halfway through each body part.)

Just a side note, I'm amazed at how many clients have never had hot stone massage, or if they have, how many clients' experiences with hot stone were not good! The way the typical spas in my area do hot stone flat out stinks. They put stones on the client's back and then leave the room for 20 mins, come back and do a regular massage, and charge twice as much for it. No thanks!

Just my .04 lol
Hugs,
~Jyoti

 

[UCLAfan]

The only thing new I can add, is to use the stones on your client longer than you think. Your hands are accustomed to feeling the hot, hot stones out of the roaster, and as the stone(s) you are using on your client start to feel pretty cool, you will have the urge to switch them out. Really, the stones are still feeling pretty hot to the client, you are just a little desensitized to the heat.

Noel

 

[StEpHaNy]

Thanks, Noel! That is good info! I wondered about that -- I do think I have been switching stones perhaps too often. That makes total sense!

And thanks for the additional tips, Jyoti!

I agree--practice practice practice

Just a side note, I'm amazed at how many clients have never had hot stone massage, or if they have, how many clients' experiences with hot stone were not good! The way the typical spas in my area do hot stone flat out stinks. They put stones on the client's back and then leave the room for 20 mins, come back and do a regular massage, and charge twice as much for it. No thanks!

Just my .04 lol
Hugs,
~Jyoti

Wow -- that is TERRIBLE! Truly stinks! I do know I am at least doing better than that!!! :x

Hugs, Sherry

 

[a.e.b]

Hot stone is such a wonderful modality, it has been my favorite to do. Yes, there are times when you feel a little "clumsy" and it does not flow the exact way a reg. massage does, however we must also remember that when we leave the clients to go get a stone, if you are "bolstering " your client with stones they still feel the heat of them and it feels like warm hands are tending to them even tho you have left them a few seconds...and water is so very important after wards...

 

[RuddiGer]

also, Sherry, let us know how that pocket works for you okay?

 

[sciguy]

Good point, Jacqueline! And most of my clients are so relaxed at that point that they say they didn't even notice when I was hands-off. I know I will get smoother with more practice, practice, practice.

Ordered my pocket this afternoon -- should be here in a few days! I will let you know results. (My husband caught me ordering online and said, "More toys to play with?" This can get a bit addictive . . .

Off to a client!

Cheers!

Sherry

 

[Pierina]

ok..sherry, found it!!! Its http://www.tirmassagestone.com/ its a hot stone pocket

I've got to say don't order stones from them, and the video they sell is very very very basic and not worth it IMHO. Pockets etc they may be OK, I just can't recommend their stones or video.

 

[Rosaline]

Here is a link to a thread where someone posted that they made an insulated apron to use to hold their stones for them.

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2033&start=0

Angie

 

[GrenadeLove]

ok..sherry, found it!!! Its http://www.tirmassagestone.com/ its a hot stone pocket

I've got to say don't order stones from them, and the video they sell is very very very basic and not worth it IMHO. Pockets etc they may be OK, I just can't recommend their stones or video.

Thanks, Melb! I already have everything else I need for hot stone massage (from MW) -- and only ordered the pocket from the above. Will try it this week and report!

Sherry

 

[Lynx]

I had a though regarding keeping the stones hot and close by. A preheated wheat bag, like a magic bag, to hold the stones warm should work fine. One way to test the stone you are working with is to check it on the inside of your forearm. You may find that you are indeed switching them out to soon.

I just took a workshop last weekend and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my stones! And I have lots of people volunteering to be practice subjects already. So sad for them though, myself and the other 2 therapist's that took the workshop with me are, are going to practice on each other UNTIL WE GET IT RIGHT, even if it takes all week! LOL