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When someone says “hot stone massage”, what do you think of? Something that's pleasant only in the wintertime? Perhaps you think of the widespread cliché pictures of a woman lying face-down on a massage table, in a grassy field, with a line of black stones going down her spine. Neither are incorrect, but there's more to stone massage than just feeling warm and relaxed. Stone therapy is rejuvenating. It decreases pain. It helps heal the body.

LaStone therapy was created by Mary Nelson in Tucson, Arizona, in 1993. She found that using both hot and cold stones was therapeutic; the physiological benefits of alternating hot and cold to the body have long been scientifically and medically proven.

The hot stones are typically made from basalt, a result of cooled lava from volcanic eruptions. During a massage, the stones will be heated anywhere from 110 degrees to 130 degrees. The short term effects of heat on the body include vasodilation, which is a widening of the blood vessels, and in turn increases the blood supply. The heat also increases metabolism and the pulse rate. The hot stones penetrate the muscles deeper and more quickly than with just the hands, which means more time can then be spent on other areas in need. While the body is relaxed, healing can take place more efficiently.

The cold stones are usually made from marble, which tends to keep cold longer. The temperature of these cold stones is around the same as a normal refrigerator, or will sometimes be put on ice when needed. The coolness of the marble stones is a distinct contrast with the heat of the basalt stones; the cold reduces inflammation, pulls heat from the area to allow the body to heal more efficiently. Cold is also great for inflamed and aching joints, such as arthritis, and can help relieve headaches and sinus problems.

The constant alternating of hot and cold during a LaStone session allows for optimal physical healing and ultimate relaxation.

Source: LaStone Therapy website

Types of Stone Therapy offered
LaStone Therapy	Heated and chilled stones are applied to the body in this 60-minute session, allowing the body to heal quickly and provide a deep relaxation. Price: $75 plus tax
Migraine Treatment	In this 30-minute session, aromatherapy blends are applied to the face and cool marble stones are placed on specific points of the face to help relive all types of headaches. Price: $30 plus tax