Hot Stone - Sanitizing Article

[drdjjt]

http://174.120.243.7/~natstone/sanitizing-massage-stones/

I just received this & would like to hear how others feel in regard to using hot stones & whether they clean the whole stone heater, stones & all each time it's used - or just once a day.

When using stones for a session I typically use a large slotted spoon to scoop out the stones I need & therefore never touch the water or stones which are still in the unit - so that everything in it remains clean. I do wash all the stones that I've actually used with each session - so everyone of them is clean & ready for the next client.

 

[purplem00n]

Hot Stone - Sanitizing Article

If I had ever had more than one hot stone client per day, I would definately wash everything so it was fresh for the next client. Of course, if you are scooping the stones out and not touching the water or putting used stones back, it isn't necessary to clean the unit or unused stones between clients.

As a client, I would want to know that the stones used on me were cleaned and the unit and water was fresh also. Otherwise, it would be like using dirty linens. Yuck! t108

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hot Stone - Sanitizing Article

When using stones for a session I typically use a large slotted spoon to scoop out the stones I need & therefore never touch the water or stones which are still in the unit - so that everything in it remains clean. I do wash all the stones that I've actually used with each session - so everyone of them is clean & ready for the next client.

This sounds completely acceptable to me, particularly if you clean the spoons in between (thinking of the handles that you're touching when scooping.)

We rarely do hot stone appointments where I work, but when they come up there's an extra 15min blocked out of my schedule before and 15 after the appointment to allow for set up and clean up. Because I rarely do them, I'm not worried about getting my hands in the water or putting rocks back in as there's plenty of time for a full cleaning. If for some reason I had HS appointments back to back, I'd probably use the spoons and keep clear of contaminating the water, and just clean what I touch.

On a related note, I just got my copy of MTJ from AMTA. There's an article written by Mary Nelson of LaStone on safety, handling, etc of hot stones for massage. In it, she states that there has to be something - towel, sheet or clothing - between the client and placement stones. This is the first I've heard of this... does anyone else do that? Just to play devils advocate and bring the discussion back around, if you're doing clothed hot stone massage, do you need to clean EVERYTHING between clients as well?

:mrgreen:

 

[Why Does It Matter?]

Hot Stone - Sanitizing Article

On a related note, I just got my copy of MTJ from AMTA. There's an article written by Mary Nelson of LaStone on safety, handling, etc of hot stones for massage. In it, she states that there has to be something - towel, sheet or clothing - between the client and placement stones. This is the first I've heard of this... does anyone else do that?

I've been doing hot stone massage for 7 yrs now and have never burned anyone by placing the stones directly on the client's skin. I think clients like the feel of the stones. If I only wanted the heat, I'd just use a hydrocollator pack.

Oh and like you, I rarely do more than one hot stone a day so I've never had to consider cleaning/reusing stones between clients.

Angie

 

[yeaitsme000]

Hot Stone - Sanitizing Article

Yep, I clean everything afterwards.

I will probably check out the product mentioned, I took my training with Nature's Stones and purchased my original set-up from them.
Great stones, hand matched.

We were taught to always keep a barrier between stone and skin for PLACEMENT stones. Because the heat transfer is so gradual, damage to the tissues can occur without the client or therapist being aware of it. It's better to be safe so that you never have to worry. Only the small stones for fingers, toes and some facial ones are okay directly against skin - because they are small they do not retain the same level of heat.
The larger stones that you massage with, that are moving, should be the only ones in direct contact with skin.

 

[Steve E]

Hot Stone - Sanitizing Article

I lay my client on the stones, not vice versa, and have always used a cloth barrier between them and the stones to prevent burning.

 

[Yasmine =P]

Hot Stone - Sanitizing Article

I so rarely do any sort of stone layout for a client to be on top of them - that it's a non issue for me - but anytime I do something on that order there is always a barrier between the client & the stone. Honestly I do that more for myself than for clients - as the heat feels so wonderful to me I'll often fall asleep when I do it.

All the other stones I use for moving directly on the skin are not used if they are to hot - I simply take them out with the spoon & allow the stone to rest long enough that it's comfortable for me to hold in my hand before I use it on a client. So long as the stone is being moved over whatever areas are being worked the clients generally prefer it if the stone is quite warm/hot. I only allow it to be in direct contact with the skin once it's cooled off enough to allow for it & I always let my client know that if it feels to warm to let me know immediately. I've never had a problem with anyone ever getting burned, etc. so I must be doing something right!

 

[Blueberry Head]

Hot Stone - Sanitizing Article

Of all the hot stone massages I have received over the years.... five....

I have found that the La Stone trained therapists have given the best HS massage. I think part of it is the initial layout of the stones like a hydroc pack (as mentioned previously). Then again, maybe it is just the full layout and LaStone proceedure; I can't recall why I loved it, but I sure did.

For the original question: Spoon with stones, seems reasonable to me.

 

[dmx87]

Hot Stone - Sanitizing Article

I use a crock pot for my stones and I always have it running on high for about an hour to get the water boiling. I don't place the stones on clients I use them in addition to my deep tissue work

 

[damnyankeega]

Hot Stone - Sanitizing Article

I've found that jojoba is the only oil I like for my stones - interesting that the article specifically states not to use jojoba. Obviously they are trying to sell their own oil along with their own cleaning supplies.

Just a little tip for people who may have used other oils that did gunk everything up - pop your stones in the dishwasher, works great!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hot Stone - Sanitizing Article

Of all the hot stone massages I have received over the years.... five....

I have found that the La Stone trained therapists have given the best HS massage. I think part of it is the initial layout of the stones like a hydroc pack (as mentioned previously). Then again, maybe it is just the full layout and LaStone proceedure; I can't recall why I loved it, but I sure did.

For the original question: Spoon with stones, seems reasonable to me.

I feel it's because of the "spiritual" aspect of the La Stone method. It is not the layout at all - it is the energy of the therapist, connecting with the stones, connecting to you and you connecting with the stones. I think it's beautiful.
Some therapists that buy a few rocks and a heater are more mechanical - there is no "heart" in their work.

I am NOT LaStone trained but I have had a few clients that really respond to stones - and the stones to them. It's kind of weird and kind of neat - I can't explain it, but I can sure feel it.

 

[Leigh]

Hot Stone - Sanitizing Article

Personally I always feel the energy of the therapist, with or without stones, makes or breaks any session for me. Without the heart & hands working together the effect is just not the same. The term mechanical is about right too. Though there's a great deal to be said about technique, you can always feel the difference when the person giving a session loves their work, & genuinely cares about what they're doing.

And many a client of mine has commented on my stones having a certain energy to them. Probably because of the fact I take time to give them a rest outside from time to time & also as more than a few came from the banks of the river I live next to. My favorite belly stone is a large kidney shaped stone that came from the river banks & it has a very strong, but gentle feminine energy that speaks to me whenever I handle it. Many a client has given a deep sigh with it placed on the abdomen at the start of a session, as though it/she has somehow helped them to release the breath they've been holding onto...

 

[Anuj]

Hot Stone - Sanitizing Article

It is not the layout at all - it is the energy of the therapist, connecting with the stones, connecting to you and you connecting with the stones. I think it's beautiful.
Some therapists that buy a few rocks and a heater are more mechanical - there is no "heart" in their work.

I am NOT LaStone trained but I have had a few clients that really respond to stones - and the stones to them. It's kind of weird and kind of neat - I can't explain it, but I can sure feel it.

Without the heart & hands working together the effect is just not the same. The term mechanical is about right too. Though there's a great deal to be said about technique, you can always feel the difference when the person giving a session loves their work, & genuinely cares about what they're doing.

And many a client of mine has commented on my stones having a certain energy to them. Probably because of the fact I take time to give them a rest outside from time to time & also as more than a few came from the banks of the river I live next to. My favorite belly stone is a large kidney shaped stone that came from the river banks & it has a very strong, but gentle feminine energy that speaks to me whenever I handle it. Many a client has given a deep sigh with it placed on the abdomen at the start of a session, as though it/she has somehow helped them to release the breath they've been holding onto...

Wonderful comments. I am taking both to heart today. *warm smile*

Thanks for adding them!

 

[loves james]

Hot Stone - Sanitizing Article

Personally I always feel the energy of the therapist, with or without stones, makes or breaks any session for me. Without the heart & hands working together the effect is just not the same. The term mechanical is about right too. Though there's a great deal to be said about technique, you can always feel the difference when the person giving a session loves their work, & genuinely cares about what they're doing.

And many a client of mine has commented on my stones having a certain energy to them. Probably because of the fact I take time to give them a rest outside from time to time & also as more than a few came from the banks of the river I live next to. My favorite belly stone is a large kidney shaped stone that came from the river banks & it has a very strong, but gentle feminine energy that speaks to me whenever I handle it. Many a client has given a deep sigh with it placed on the abdomen at the start of a session, as though it/she has somehow helped them to release the breath they've been holding onto...

Yet another post that made me smile today!

 

[Asha]

Hot Stone - Sanitizing Article - Hot Tub sanitizer?

First let me say that I am all for washing the stone and heater and everything in between each client, either with soap or with some kind of soapy cleaning spray that doesn't leave residue (I've used Thymes general purpose cleaning spray) or scrubbing them thoroughly with rubbing alcohol. The latter is what I first learned from a spa I worked at and while it's not the absolute best, I think it's sufficient and quick. One of those methods is what I do for every stone massage.

However I have recently met a therapist whom I respect a lot and who gives great massage and was trained initially in hot stone (first ever massage training was with stones, I think LaStone) and she uses stones for every client and doesn't change the water. BUT -- she uses some kind of spa treatment. Spa Shock, or I'm not sure what it's called but it's the stuff you put in hot tubs so it's regulation. She puts that in her stone water.

Now, my first reaction to this was: "GROSS! CHEMICALS! EW! NO WAY!" I do hate the smell of being in a hot tub. But I guess this stuff does not have the chlorine. I'm not sure. I've never smelt anything weird receiving a massage from her. And I love the stone massage so much I wondered if it might be an okay way to compromise. A way to give more stone massage without the hassle of cleaning the stones every time. Most people will get in a hot tub without hesitation, so I thought it might be the same with stones that are sitting in that kind of water. I mean, I do dry the stones off before they touch the client anyway. And that stuff should keep the water sufficiently clean for sanitation purposes.....I think?

Any thoughts?

Oh, and HI! *waves* I haven't been around in awhile. I've been lurking a bit for a few weeks. Might post again some more.

 

[radamclaren]

Hot Stone - Sanitizing Article - Hot Tub sanitizer?

Oh, and HI! *waves* I haven't been around in awhile. I've been lurking a bit for a few weeks. Might post again some more.

/hijack

So glad you are posting again! I actually had a client I wanted to send to you, but dog-gone-it I kept mixing you up with SJDoula and everytime I'd look at her profile and see she wasn't in NM, I'd kick myself trying to recall your call name. PM me please with your info. My client flies into your area about once a month.

/end hijack *oops*

 

[Tanner]

Hot Stone - Sanitizing Article

Now, my first reaction to this was: "GROSS! CHEMICALS! EW! NO WAY!" I do hate the smell of being in a hot tub. But I guess this stuff does not have the chlorine. I'm not sure. I've never smelt anything weird receiving a massage from her. And I love the stone massage so much I wondered if it might be an okay way to compromise. A way to give more stone massage without the hassle of cleaning the stones every time. Most people will get in a hot tub without hesitation, so I thought it might be the same with stones that are sitting in that kind of water. I mean, I do dry the stones off before they touch the client anyway. And that stuff should keep the water sufficiently clean for sanitation purposes.....I think?

Any thoughts?

Everything that is on the stones can enter the body through open pores. To me it is the same as spraying the sheet with an antiseptic spray instead of changing it between clients. Even if you dry them off, they are not rinsed properly and will contain chemical residue. Not only the client, but you yourself have contact with that chemical all day. And then again you don't really know if all germs are killed. Considering you usually use about an ounce or so in the jaccuzzi once a week as a spa shock, how much do you actually add to your hot stone pot? I would not like a stone to touch my body that just came out of a pot with possible body hair and skin sheds from other people.