A hot stone massage is a type of massage therapy. It’s used to help you relax and ease tense muscles and damaged soft tissues throughout your body. 

During a hot stone massage, smooth, flat, heated stones are placed on specific parts of your body. The stones are usually made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock that retains heat. Hot massage stones are heated to between 55 and 63 degrees celsius.

The stones may be placed:

• along your spine
• on your stomach
• on your chest
• on your face
• on your palms
• on your feet and toes

Massage therapists may hold heated stones as they massage your body using Swedish massage techniques such as:

• long strokes
• circular movements
• vibration
• tapping
• kneading

Sometimes, cold stones are also used during a hot stone massage. Cold stones may be used after hot stones to calm any engorged blood vessels and to soothe the skin.