Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/77400
TEN FOR TODAY clean-up time into your higher fee for a stone massage, or keep a second set of stones and a second heater available for back-to-back treatments. "Each client deserves to have clean stones," she says. You absolutely don't want to leave stones wet and exposed to air for a long time, because they have minerals in them, including iron. "If you don't clean and dry them, you can get rust spots," Wellman warns. 7. STONES MAY NEED A VACATION Wellman recognizes that different individuals have different levels of spiritual connection with their stones. "Many massage therapists believe that the stones have their own energy, and they pass along that energy and help balance the energy in the human body," he says. Gart calls the stones "energy beings" that need time to recharge and replenish their energy. In addition to washing them after every use, she advises giving stones a weekly rest on a tray of salt, which, also being crystalline in structure, will recharge a stone. And for a real vacation, give them some time back on, or even in, Mother Earth. "Your backyard can be good," she says. "Bring them out, let them bathe under the moon, under the sun. That's their element." Gart says to be creative in your connection with the stones. "It should be your intention to say thank-you to them for helping you. Take care of them, and they will pay you back." 8. STONE WORK IS ART AND SCIENCE "Under the Stone" is what Roth calls his technique. "It's an art," he says. "It's slow and deliberate." For Gart, "Dances with Stones" explains her work. "It's about the slow delivery of heat," she says. "You must be totally relaxed and meditative." Utilizing proper lubricants is a necessary aspect of working with stones. Experts say to stay away from heavy lotions or gels because they'll cut down on glide and foul up the stones. But proper intention is equally important, Mayrhofer says. "What's in your heart comes out in your hands—if you really want to help somebody, you'll do it. Even if your technique isn't exactly right, you'll help that person." 9. STONE MASSAGE IS NOT FOR EVERYONE Heat dilates blood vessels, so don't try this work on a client with uncontrolled high blood pressure, Mayrhofer warns. Also, be careful with geriatric clients and with diabetics. "Someone with diabetes has decreased sensation in the extremities. Don't go by what they say, because if you ask them if it's too hot, they may not feel it and tell you no," she says. Expectant mothers also pose special concerns. "You never want to raise their core temperature, so if you do hot stone work with them, give them a cold rag to keep their temperatures down," she says. Also, don't do hot stone work on multiple sclerosis clients, she says, though cold stone work would be fine for them. 10. SOME CLIENTS CAN ESPECIALLY BENEFIT "Stone therapy is one of the best things for fibromyalgia," Mayrhofer says. "You can work deep without putting on a lot of pressure." Ditto for people who have had rotator cuff surgery or those who suffer with frozen shoulder. The heat helps tissues open up quickly. "For the most part, stone massage is misunderstood," she says. "People think it's just fluff and buff, a relaxing massage. But it's very therapeutic. Anything you can do with your hands, you can do with stones. Trigger-point work. Myofascial release. It's incredible. It's a great therapeutic tool." based freelance writer. Contact her at killarneyrose@comcast.net. Rebecca Jones is a Denver- earn CE hours at your convenience: abmp's online education center, www.abmp.com 87