Massage Guide

Hot Stone Massage: Benefits and What to Expect

By Spa Bali Moon4 min read

A hot stone massage is an oil massage in which smooth, heated stones are used as massage tools and placed on the body. The warmth relaxes muscles, so the therapist can work deeper with less pressure, and most people find it one of the most soothing massages there is. This guide explains how it works, its benefits, what a session is like and who should skip it.

What is a hot stone massage?

In a hot stone massage, the therapist heats smooth stones in water, oils your skin and uses the stones in two ways: held in the hand to glide along the muscles like a warm palm, and placed on the body, for example along the back or in the palms, while other areas are massaged.

The stones are usually basalt, a dark volcanic rock that holds heat well and is worn smooth by rivers or the sea. Some therapists also use cool marble stones to finish, which feels refreshing.

Heated stones have been used in many cultures. The modern spa version took shape in the United States in the 1990s and spread around the world.

Hot stone massage benefits

Research on hot stone massage specifically is limited, so most of what we know comes from studies of massage and heat in general:

Relaxation: warmth and slow strokes calm you down, and massage in general can ease stress and anxiety for a while.
Looser muscles: heat helps muscles relax, so tight areas often soften faster than with hands alone.
Deeper work, less pressure: because warm muscles give way more easily, the therapist can reach deeper without pressing as hard. That suits people who want deep work but find deep tissue massage too intense.
Comfort when you feel cold: after a long, air-conditioned flight or a rainy day, the warmth alone feels good.

What happens during a hot stone massage

The therapist asks about your health and how much warmth and pressure you like.
The stones are heated in water, and the therapist tests each one on their own skin before it touches yours.
Your skin is oiled, then the therapist massages with the stones in long strokes, starting with the back.
Warm stones may rest along the spine, on the palms or between the toes while other areas are worked.
The massage ends with hands only, or with cool stones.

The stones should feel very warm but never too hot. Say straight away if one feels uncomfortable; the therapist will move it or let it cool.

Hot stone vs other massages

	Hot stone	Deep tissue	Balinese
Pressure	Medium, feels deep	Firm	Light to firm
Warmth	Yes, from the stones	No	Warm oil only
Best for	Deep relaxation, tight but tender muscles	Knots and long-standing tightness	Relaxing, a first massage

Who should skip a hot stone massage

Choose a massage without heat, or check with your doctor first, if you:

are pregnant;
have diabetes or nerve damage that reduces feeling in your skin, as you may not notice if a stone is too hot;
have high blood pressure or a heart condition;
have varicose veins, a blood clot or a bleeding disorder, or take blood-thinning medicine;
have sunburn, a rash, broken skin or a recent injury with swelling.

In Bali, sunburn is the most common reason to wait. Heat on sunburnt skin is painful, so choose a cooling treatment first, such as our sunburn treatment in Seminyak.

In short

A hot stone massage combines an oil massage with warm basalt stones. The heat relaxes muscles, so you get a deep-feeling massage without heavy pressure. Skip it if you are pregnant, sunburnt or have reduced feeling in your skin. If you are in Bali, you can book a hot stone massage in Seminyak at our spa or at your villa or hotel.

Frequently asked questions

Does a hot stone massage burn?

It shouldn't. The therapist tests each stone before using it and keeps it moving. Tell them straight away if a stone feels too hot.

What stones are used in a hot stone massage?

Usually basalt, a smooth volcanic rock that holds heat well. Some therapists also use cool marble stones.

Is hot stone massage good for back pain?

It can ease tight back muscles for a while, and the warmth helps them relax. See a doctor for back pain that lasts more than a few weeks.

Can I have a hot stone massage when pregnant?

Most spas don't offer hot stone massage during pregnancy, because of the heat. A gentle pregnancy massage is a better choice, with your doctor's or midwife's OK.