Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage uses smooth, heated basalt stones as an extension of my hands. Basalt is a volcanic stone that holds heat evenly, so I can use it in slow, broad strokes or let it rest briefly where warmth feels good. Thermotherapy is the general term for heat-based bodywork. My La Stone Therapy sessions alternate warm basalt with cool marble. That quick change in temperature keeps the session from feeling like one long, heavy blanket of heat. It is a full massage, not a few warm rocks placed on your back. The stones are warmed in water, never an oven, and I check each one against my own forearm before it touches you. Swapping them out as they cool is a big part of why the session takes ninety minutes instead of sixty.

The stones become part of the massage from the start. We talk first about pressure, temperature, and anything you want me to leave alone. You settle onto the table under the drape, and I bring the warmth in gradually. I use the stones to glide through the back and limbs, then switch to cool marble in short passes. In my experience, people who book this are not usually asking for harder pressure. They want their body to stop bracing long enough for the work to feel unhurried. The question I get most often is whether the stones will be too hot. They should feel comfortably warm, and you can ask for warmer, cooler, or lighter — or ask me to stop at any point.

Hot stone massage isn't automatically better than other massage — it's a good fit if warmth sounds comforting and you want a slower, full-body session. I have noticed that people who run warm already often prefer Swedish massage instead: classic, flowing work without added heat. If one area needs focused, slower attention, deep tissue massage can make more sense. Stones let me offer broad contact without making pressure into a contest. You do not have to choose perfectly before you arrive. Tell me what has been bothering you and what sounds good; I will help you sort out the fit. For instance, if the heat is ever more than you want, say so and I will let a stone cool or switch to hands for a while; there is no correct temperature to tolerate.

My traditional hot stone massage is a 90-minute, in-office session for $160. It includes hot basalt, cool marble, and a full-body sequence with one therapist: me. Ninety minutes gives me time to warm, clean, and rotate the stones without rushing your front or your back. Most clients tell me that the time goes quickly once they settle in. Standard massage at the studio starts from $85, but hot stone is its own dedicated service; current rates and openings are on Square. If you are comparing a dedicated stone session with a spa add-on, make sure you are comparing the appointment length and what is actually included.

Hot stone massage has honest trade-offs. Some health situations are a reason to pause, modify, or skip heat work until you've talked with your doctor. That conversation can matter with pregnancy, reduced sensation, circulation concerns, blood-thinning medication, diabetes, high blood pressure, or a recent injury. I am a massage therapist, not a doctor. If a doctor has given you limits, bring them into the conversation. If you are unsure, ask before booking. WebMD’s hot stone massage overview is a useful consumer-level rundown of situations that call for extra care. For pregnancy, please choose prenatal massage rather than assuming heat work is the right choice.

I check the stone temperature as we go and work around open skin, a fresh injury, or any place your medical team has asked you to protect. The front of the neck and the spine itself are not places for direct pressure. Consent matters just as much as temperature. You can change your mind, ask a question, or ask me to move on without needing a reason. You can read more about my training and credentials before you book if that helps you feel more settled.

Most people leave feeling warm and ready to move slowly for a bit. Drink water, eat if you need to, and give yourself time before a hard workout or a packed afternoon. I suggest skipping a sauna, very hot bath, or another big heat source that day. A brief lightheaded feeling when you stand can happen after lying down for a while, so sit up slowly and tell me if something does not feel right. For a plain-language view of what people generally seek from this kind of session, Healthline has a consumer overview of hot stone massage. It is not a promise of a particular result; it simply helps explain why warmth, pace, and skilled touch can make a session feel different.

If the full stone session sounds right, you can check current availability and studio hours before booking. If heat is not your thing, aromatherapy massage offers a quieter sensory option without stones, and you can browse all massage and bodywork services if you would rather start somewhere else. I work in-office in Murrieta, and I will be with you for the whole appointment.

I noticed early on that people expect hot stone to be a novelty, then are surprised by how much actual work happens with the stones in hand. The heat is a tool, not a gimmick. Warm basalt lets me work deeply without pressing harder, which is why the session often feels gentler than deep tissue even when I'm reaching the same layers. I learned to leave the full ninety minutes for it rather than squeezing it into an hour.

Before you book, it is worth knowing where I stand on what massage does. For most healthy adults it is comfortable, low-risk care, and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health puts the risk of harmful effects as low (NCCIH, 2024). The same source is candid that the evidence for pain relief is mixed rather than settled, and I would rather tell you that than oversell an hour on my table. If you want to know who you are booking with, my about page covers my training and certification, and the contact page has the map, current hours, and a short inquiry form. So do check me out first — I'd rather you arrive already comfortable with who's working on you.

At a glance

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• Wednesday and Friday: closed
• Sessions from $85; the traditional 90-minute hot stone session is $160
• In-office only, by appointment, at 25109 Jefferson Ave Ste 120, Murrieta