The Healing History of Hot Stone Massage

An ancient technique, reborn!

Hot stone massage therapy is an increasingly popular modern method of relieving stress, reducing muscle stiffness, and boosting blood circulation. However, the use of smooth, hot stones to warm, relax, and therapeutically massage the body is nothing new. In fact, it is something very ancient in origin.

The earliest recorded use of hot stones to improve health and relaxation took place in India approximately 5,000 years ago, as part of the Indian holistic health tradition known as “Ayurveda”. Traditionally, smooth stones were gathered from local rivers, then used either hot or cold as a therapeutic massaging instrument.

Both verbal and written history confirm the Chinese used heated stones more than 2,000 years ago as a means of improving the function of internal organs. The Chinese used shaped stones called Bian ,while burning mugwort to treat disease and also placed warmed stones on the abdomen to improve digestion.

Later, natives of the Sandwich Islands – what we now know as Hawaii – discovered that wrapping heated lava rocks in leaves and applying them to the body provided effective pain relief. The leaves were administered by medicine shamans calls Kahunas.

Heated stones then found their way to the Native American sweat lodges. Though the stones weren’t applied to the body, the natives recognized that the heat produced by the stones eased tense muscles and brought whole-body relaxation (think of the saunas of today).

In central and South America, Curanderas (literal translation: “healers” in Spanish) and other female caregivers often used heated stones to diminish the discomfort of menstruation, plus the application of cold stones to slow bleeding after labor. Some sources also cite instances of cultures in which women believed that simply holding stones during labor added to their strength and endurance.

Ancient Greek and Roman cultures have a long recorded history of many forms of massage and bodywork. The Roman Empire, which dates from 27 B.C. to 476 A.D., is noted for its creation of the Roman baths. This ancient tradition is still with us today in the form of modern hydrotherapy practices. The Romans also used stones in saunas and combined the effects of hot immersion baths with the cooling effects of marble stone and cold pools.

As you can see, hot stones have been used in varied ways for relaxation, pain relief and even to treat diseases. With its rich history that stretches back thousands of years, it’s clear that hot stone massages are much more than just a passing trend. It’s an ancient healing technique that has only recently been adapted for modern-day use. I am pleased to be the only massage therapist to offer mobile hot stone massage services in Pensacola, FL and surrounding areas.