Spiriphysical Blog

Stone Massage is on the Move

I have just returned from the AMTA National Convention with TIR Stones where we were introducing their new marble line for massage therapists. I have been teaching deep tissue stone massage for the past eight years with the use of hot and cold temperatures and it is now time to step up the education. The body heals by change, therefore it is time we start to challenge our bodies on a systems level and not just on a structural level. Over 75% of the stone massage therapists I have come across do not use cool or cold stones in there treatments but that is starting to change.

I taught 2 classes in deep tissue stone massage at the National while putting emphasis on body mechanics, safety, and incorporating cool/cold stones. It goes without saying that hot stones are the rage of stone massage and our clients love them. But I am going to suggest that cold/cool is the most important temperature we can work with and the most misunderstood. Cool Stones;

• will minimize soreness when working deeper
• will pull excess heat out of the body from longer sessions (which could cause a client to get nauseous)
• can help strengthen the systems of the body on a cellular level by challenging our standard temperature (98.6 F)

It is up to us as massage therapists to learn as much as possible about what we offer and to share that knowledge with our clients.

Bruce Baltz, founder of SpiriPhysical® Inc., is an internationally recognized educator with over twenty five years experience in the fitness and bodywork industry. Bruce is a licensed massage therapist in New York and Florida and a member of the FSMTA & AMTA.

www.SpiriPhysical.com