In this massage treatment, the healing stone ritual incorporates Aromatherapy and tension releasing effleurage, starting with warm sculpted river stones used as an extension of the therapists’ hands to bring you deep relaxation, grounding and perfect balance from head to toe. Cool stones alternately re-energise and stimulate muscles.

We have been working with hot and cold stones for massage since 2000, when Melanie completed her first LaStone course. She has continued her LaStone Therapy training since then, including Advanced Original Body, Stone Medicine and LaStone Teacher Training. Melanie is the first Australian to become a certified LaStone instructor. She is currently the only LaStone instructor based in Australia.

Since the birth of time, many ancient cultures have used the healing power of stones for medicinal and spiritual purposes. In Bali it is believed that stones are filled with the vitality and energy of the water that flows over them in an eternal stream. Harnessing the properties of the stones, we bathe them in warm water, anoint them with the spicy, exotic aromas of the Orient, and place them on key energy points of your body, to balance the spirit. The deep penetrating heat of the volcanic basalt stone is combined with traditional massage and aromatherapy techniques to release muscular tension. Enveloped in warmth, you can achieve a deeper dimension of relaxation, to harmonize your energy and invoke a meditative state.

Basalt and Marble Stones produce sedative and re-energizing responses to the body as we incorporate both energies of black and white, hot and cold in the treatment. This wonderful massage creates a feeling of well being, a sense of wholeness, that one might not have felt for sometime.

Training

What happens during a session

Stones are placed under the body, on the body and are used to massage you, warmth reaches deep into your muscles, melting tension and stress. A stone under each hand opens your hands, the warmth melting up your arm. A comforting stone on the belly, feels like a hot water bottle, the lightness experienced when the stone is removed needs to be experienced to be believed. Chilled stones are used on areas of inflammation.  Cool half moon stones are placed under your eyes.  Warm rocks and hands warmed by the rocks massage away tension. Stone therapy is a holistic treatment, working on mind, body and soul (spirit).

Each rock used has been individually chosen to be used in a LaStone Therapy treatment. Crystals may also be included. A warmed customised aromatherapy blend is used to oil the body before working the stones along muscles and the meridians and energy points of the body.  Sacred Stone Therapy brings traditional Ayurvedic marma point and abhyanga techniques to the massage table with the stones - an incredibly relaxing treatment.

The Theory of LaStone

A Contemporary approach to alternating temperatures in massage.

The physiological benefits of alternating hot and cold to the body have long been scientifically and medically proven. Basalt and marble stones are the medium and the hot and cold temperatures are the message. This "vascular gymnastics" of the circulatory system assists the body in self-healing. 

The application of heated rocks helps to prepare the body for a more efficient and effective massage. Using heated rocks as massage instruments causes vasodilatation. Following these massage strokes with chilled stones causes vasoconstriction. The effect is a form of circulatory callisthenics for the body. The gentle weight of the  rocks, combined with manual manipulation of muscles, helps to push toxins out of the muscles and into the lymphatic system, stimulating the detoxification process.

The application of heated rocks and their use as during massage is ideal for flexibility work because they increase the elasticity of collagen fibers. They also ease muscle tension which assists in the prevention and recovery of sports injuries.

The application of chilled rocks has an analgesic effect on injured muscles, acting as painkillers by reducing the ability of the nerve endings in the affected site to conduct impulses.

LaStone goes beyond the Physical experience of typical massage, and enters deeper dimensions of relaxation, health and well being, creating a positive approach to "Body-Mind-Spirit" philosophy.

A Discovery Health Channel article about LaStone Therapy can be found here

LaStone Therapy is the "Last One Therapy."  More details about LaStone can be found here.

Often called hot rock massage or hot stone massage, stones of varying temperatures may be used - hot, warm, room temperature, cool and chilled stones, and occasionally icy stones. The various temperatures of the rocks allows different experiences during the treatment.

FAQs

Note the following prices are in US dollars.

Back to the home page

Contact Information

Telephone:

0410 621 409 - you'll probably encounter the answering machine, please leave a message and your call will be returned within one business day.
(The phone number from outside Australia would be +61 410621409)

EMail:

 that is info at melmassage.com if your browser has blocked scripts.

Click here for further information and associated websites.

Thinking of adding hot stones to your business? Click here for everything you need to know but didn't know to ask. (this link will be uninteresting to the general public, but might give someone an idea as to why hot stone massage costs a bit more than a no stone massage. The information includes details of training courses in Australia and where to buy supplies)

We have hot stone massage sets and other supplies available for the therapist to purchase. The most popular of out kits is 48 stones.  Click here for details.

Back to the home page