Aromatherapy Hot Stone Massage
By incorporating
the hot stones into your Aromatherapy Massage, you are encouraging the
essential oils to penetrate quickly and deeply into the muscles.
Alternating your techniques with hands, then stones promotes increased circulation.
Stone massage makes you feel deeply relaxed, allowing you to
let go of all the stress that is held within your body. It is really an amazing
experience to offer to the ones you love!
Those experiencing a hot stone massage will notice a healing
improvement of the following symptoms:
- Muscular
aches, pains, sprains, and strains
- Poor
circulation
- Rheumatic
and arthritic conditions
- Fibromyalgia
- MS
- Back
pain
- Stress,
anxiety and tension
- Insomnia
- Depression
Hints
for the Practitioner
· “Flow” is very important. Try to move from one massage technique to the next without stopping and starting.
·
Move your body in a rocking motion, moving in the direction
of your hands like an ocean wave.
·
Relax your own body, watch that your back does not get
hunched. Remember to breathe deeply and
try to coincide your breathing with the movements of your hands.
·
Work in a relaxed, efficient yet caring manner. This will help to relax the client.
·
Remember to give the treatment with your hands, your head
and your heart.
·
Use your mind to mentally relax each muscle. Visualize tensions releasing from the neck or
think in your mind “The neck is relaxed”.
· Use general smoothing stroke to move from one massage technique to another if
necessary. Or if
you forget your next technique.
· When placing the stones on the body for massage, glide the stones into the body
as if they are an extension of your hands. The client should not “feel” the stones being
plunked on their body.
·
Incorporate stones into the massage moves you already know.
·
Remember to oil on the body first, then oil on the stones,
then apply stones to the body.
· Watch sensitive areas with stones, boney areas, jugular vein and carotid artery,
knee caps, ribs.
Crystal suggestions - follow this link to the Crystals A to Z Post
Essential Oil Blend suggestions - follow this link to the Essential Oil Blends Post
https://aromatherapycrystalmassage.blogspot.com/2024/02/essential-oil-blends.html
Copy and paste to print instructions
Aromatherapy Stone Massage Technique
Back
Lay stones on back at Chakra points on top of sheet.
Hold sacral stone and with other hand between shoulder
blades, rock body back and forth.
Remove top stones, fold sheet to mid back. Or remove all stones and expose entire back.
Hold
1 stone in each hand
Effleurage ~
Palms flat on either side of spine at shoulders, smooth to mid back, over to sides, up sides
and around shoulders, up trapezius to back of neck.
Fanning
~
Hands on either side of spine at shoulders, turn fingers towards sides by pivoting on heel
of hand. Press fingers into muscle as if flattening. Turn hands back to center with lighter
pressure. Move hands towards mid back by moving hands down an inch at a time.
A great pressure move for breaking up crystalline deposits under skin.
Double Stretch Stroke ~
Place both hands on shoulders, move right hand down to mid back. Curve around side
of rib cage. Draw right hand back up to shoulder, while starting same technique with left
hand. When one hand starts off, the other is “kitty corner” to it. Alternate hand moves
like this one really get the circulation moving.
Sweep Shoulder and Neck ~
Hands at base of neck. Smooth one hand around shoulder blade and back to base of neck.
Alternate left and right shoulders. Do one side at a time.
Points at Base of Skull ~
Use four fingers on each hand to pull gently from base of neck to under ridge of bone at
base of skull. Pull muscles at back of neck only, not sides. Use 1 small stone to rotate
in occipital area.
Effleurage ~
Palms flat on either side of spine at shoulders, smooth to lower back, up sides and
around shoulders to
back of neck.
- Hold
1 stone in 1 hand
Kneading ~
Squeeze and lift muscle between thumb and index finger, push muscle toward one
hand then the other. Keep both hands moving rhythmically from base of neck to shoulder,
then to mid back.
Iron Shoulder ~
Use sides of hands, fingers held in opposite directions to alternately draw from top of
trapezius to end of
shoulder.
- Holding
1 stone in each hand
Butterfly Stroke ~
Start one hand at top of buttocks, fan fingers and push up about 4 inches. Start other
hand just underneath first hand and repeat stroke. One hand chases the other hand
up the back to shoulder.
Butterfly Shoulders ~
Use same butterfly stroke start at bottom of shoulder blade and work over and under
shoulder.
Pressure Circles ~
Place both hands on back at shoulder, thumbs together. Work both hands as one tool
in circular motion, covering sides of body and near spine, moving down to rear.
Cover area from
shoulders to rear.
- Holding
1 or 2 stones
Overlapping Circles ~
Hands at shoulder on opposite side to you, circle left hand clockwise, right hand jumps
in at 9 o’clock and sweeps over left hand to 3 o’clock in crescent shape. Continue
with left hand in an unbroken
motion. Cover area from bottom of rear to shoulder.
Wring the Lower Back ~
One hand on one side of back at waist the other opposite, cross hands over to other
side, passing hands
at lower back.
Heel
Push and Thumb Rolls ~
Push with heel of hand into top of hip bones, make small
circular motions without lifting hand or changing pressure.
Alternately, roll thumbs against hip bones, one over the
other continuously.
Side Lifts ~
Lift sides from just below
rib cage to hip area, alternating hands.
Kneading ~
Squeeze and lift muscle between thumb and index finger, push muscle toward one
hand then the other. Keep both hands moving rhythmically to cover lower back and
rear area. Use 2 stones to press into sit bones in center of buttocks. Roll and twist
stone as you press.
Fanning ~
Hands on either side of spine at lower back, turn fingers towards sides by pivoting on
heel of hand. Press fingers into muscle as if flattening. Turn hands back to center with
lighter pressure. Move hands towards rear moving hands down 1 inch at a time. A
great pressure move for breaking up crystalline deposits under the skin.
Effleurage ~
Palms flat on either side of spine at shoulders, smooth to lower back, up sides and
around shoulders to
back of neck.
·
Cover back.
·
Replace back stones.
Back
of Legs
·
Uncover one leg and oil on.
·
Hold
1 stone in each hand
Effleurage ~ Palms flat on calf, thumbs together, smooth to rear. Return to calf, moving hands to cover sides.
Alternate Palms ~ One hand at back of heel, brushing in an upward, sweeping movement
to rear and slide round to thigh. As the first hand reaches the back of the knee, start the
other hand at heel and work to back of knee.
Or ~
Cross hands one over the
other working slowly to top of thigh.
- Hold
1 stone in 1 hand
Kneading ~
Grasp calf muscle with both hands, squeeze and lift muscle between thumb and index
finger, push muscle toward one hand then the other. Lighten pressure over back of knee
and continue up thigh to rear.
- Hold
1 stone in each hand or 1 hand
Wringing ~
Lay both hands on calf, thumbs together just above ankle. Glide hands past each other
one pushing away, one pulling. Alternate to rear.
Calf Split ~
Raise foot, bending knee and use heel of hand to press from ankle to back of knee to
“split” calf
muscle. Slide hand up side of calf back
to ankle.
Butterfly ~
Start one hand at ankle, fan fingers and push up about 4 inches. Start other hand
just underneath first hand and repeat stroke. One hand chases the other hand up to rear.
Heel
Push and Thumb Rolls ~
Push with heel of hand into base of sit bones, make small
circular motions without lifting hand or changing pressure.
Alternately, roll thumbs against sit bones, one over the
other continuously.
Knead
the Buttocks ~
Lay both hands on one side of buttocks. Grab handfuls of flesh, lifting and squeezing
trying to pass one handful to the other, moving to cover
entire surface.
Effleurage ~ Palms flat on calf, thumbs together, smooth to rear. Return to calf,
moving hands to cover sides
of leg.
- Cover leg.
- Step to opposite side of table to
do other leg.
Front of Legs
·
Remove back stones
·
Turn Body Over
·
Apply stones to front of body.
·
Uncover one leg and oil on.
·
Hold
1 stone in each hand
Effleurage ~ Palms flat on calf, thumbs together, smooth to top of thigh. Return to calf,
moving hands to cover sides
of leg.
Smoothing Stroke ~
Right hand is head hand,
left follows close behind, smooth to thigh and drag down sides.
Fanning ~
Hands together on calf, turn fingers towards sides by pivoting on heel of hand. Press
fingers into muscle as if flattening. Turn hands back to center gently. Move hands
towards
top of thigh gradually.
·
Hold
1 stone in 1 hand
Kneading ~
Grasp calf muscle with both hands, squeeze and lift muscle between thumb and index
finger, push muscle toward one hand then the other. Skip over knee and use both
hands to knead thigh in 3 sections--inner thigh, top of
thigh and outer thigh.
·
Hold
1 stone in each hand
Rotate Heel of Hand ~ And thenas in hollows on either side of knee cap.
Reverse
Thigh ~
Smooth both hands up leg from ankle. As hands pass over sides of knee, turn body to
face feet and draw both hands up either side of thigh.
Thigh
Lifts ~
Alternate hands, lift inside of thigh in 4 moves from knee
to groin.
Effleurage ~ Palms flat on calf, thumbs together, smooth to top of thigh. Return to calf,
moving hands to cover sides
of leg.
·
Cover leg.
·
Repeat for other leg.
Foot
·
Uncover one foot and oil on.
·
Hold
1 stone in 1 hand
Friction Stroke ~ Use stone to stroke up and
down on sole.
Friction Stroke ~ Use stone to push from base of toes to instep on top of foot.
Use gentle pressure over
bones. Move in an upward direction only.
Combo
Friction Stroke ~
Do both friction stroke moves simultaneously. Draw both hands down foot, then alternate.
Rolling
Stones ~ use a
small palm stone to roll end over end on sole.
Ankle Circles ~
Hold foot with 4 fingers on each hand in hollows around ankle bones. Rotate fingers
into hollows moving clockwise. Do long sweeping circles around each ankle, then
do small circles with fingertips in circles around ankle.
Pressure Circles ~ Use stone to press and rotate on sole of foot, sink pad gently into
muscle tissue and rotate slowly. Work down the sole in lines from base of toes to
bottom of heel to cover
entire surface.
Foot
Twist ~
Grasp foot with both hands, thumbs on sole, twist hands drawing thumbs beside
one another alternately top and bottom. Work from heel to ball.
Webbing ~ Use side of small stone to rub (saw), back and forth on webbing.
Toe Twist and Pull ~ Use stone to roll under toes pressing against ridge.
Pull stone
and toes together.
Rolling
Stones ~ use a
small palm stone to roll end over end on sole.
·
Cover foot.
·
Uncover other foot.
·
Repeat with other foot.
Abdomen
Uncover and cover chest area with a small towel.
·
Fold back sheet to pubic bone.
·
Oil on.
·
Hold
1 stone in each hand
Effleurage ~ With fingertips facing head, do large circles up center from navel to rib cage,
around waist to sides and down and back to center above pubic bone.
Continual Circles ~ Use stones side by side to make small circles following the flow
of the colon.
Continuous Circle Stroke ~ Right hand starts under navel, move clockwise in circle.
When right hand is above navel,
start left hand under navel and cross over.
Stimulate
Colon ~
Use fingertips to make small circular moves following
direction of colon, alternate with fingertips drawing energy along colon area.
Navel
Circles ~ Use stones to make small circles around navel.
Hip Lifts ~ Reach over body and lift hip and waist in 4 moves to bottom of rib cage.
Lift other side of body from same position or step to other side of
table.
Drain ~ Draw stones from navel to
sides and off onto table.
·
Fold sheet up to cover abdomen and chest. Leave small towel on chest area.
Arms
·
Uncover one arm and oil on.
·
Hold
1 stone in each hand
Effleurage
~ Palms flat on arm just above wrist, thumbs together, smooth
to top of arm. Return to wrist, moving
hands to cover sides of arm.
- Hold
1 stone in 1 hand
Smoothing Stroke ~ Hold wrist with left hand and smooth from wrist to arm pit, over
shoulder and down arm to wrist.
Shoulder Scoop ~
Apply pressure with one hand from wrist to shoulder and over and down back of arm,
then reverse and go
back the other way coming down front of arm to wrist.
Kneading ~ Grasp muscle with both hands, squeeze and lift muscle between thumb
and index finger, push muscle toward one hand then the other. Work from wrist to shoulder.
·
Hold
1 stone in each hand
Wringing ~
Lay both hands on arm, thumbs together just above wrist. Glide hands past each
other one pushing away, one pulling.
Alternate to shoulder.
Effleurage
~ Palms flat on arm just above wrist, thumbs together, smooth
to top of arm. Return to wrist, moving
hands to cover sides of arm.
·
Cover arm.
·
Place small palm stone in client’s palm to hold.
·
Uncover other arm and oil on.
Hand
·
Uncover one hand, remove stone and oil on.
·
Hold
1 stone in one hand
Friction Stroke ~ Use stone to make circles
on palm.
Friction
Stroke ~ Use stone to push from base of fingers to wrist on back of
hand.
Use gentle pressure over bones. Move in an upward direction only.
Combo
Friction Stroke ~
Do both friction moves simultaneously. Both hands at once, then alternately.
Relax Wrist ~ Holding hand with thumbs on top of wrist, massage with alternating
thumb circles.
Divide the Hand ~ Draw 4 fingers of each hand alternately from wrist to base of
fingers down center of palm.
Webbing ~ Use side of small stone to rub (saw), back and forth on webbing.
Finger Twist and Pull ~ Use stone to roll under fingers pressing against ridge.
Pull stone and fingers together.
Rolling
Stones ~ use a
small palm stone to roll end over end in palm.
·
Repeat with other hand.
Shoulders,
Neck and Head
·
Stand behind head.
·
Fold sheet down to expose upper chest.
·
Oil on upper chest, around shoulders and up back of neck.
·
Hold
1 stone in each hand
Effleurage ~ Push hands down center of chest, around to armpits, up and around
shoulders and
under neck to hairline.
Kneading the Pectorals ~ Work stones in circles between armpit
and breast bone.
Shoulder Sweep ~ Sweep hand from shoulder, under shoulder blade and up neck
to base of skull, turning head slightly when
coming up back of neck. One side at a
time.
Occipital Pressure Points ~ Draw fingertips up back of neck, applying pressure to
edge of occipital
bone.
Pull and roll stones against edge of occipital bone.
Face
·
Oil on hands only.
·
Hold
1 stone in each hand
Effleurage ~ Smooth stones from center forehead, down cheeks and around jaw
line.
Pressure Circles ~ Use stones held together to do small pressure circles alternately
over brow area.
Drain Forehead ~ Stones side by side at center of forehead close to brows,
draw both thumbs outward toward the sides, sweeping over temples. Repeat
doing 2 more drains at center and near
hairline.
Cheek Circles ~ Rotate stones into cheek
muscles.
Rotate Temples ~ Using stones, gently circle-stroke temples in clockwise direction.
