Smart Woman Smart Moves: Rock â€˜In Massage

<b>New Massage Method:</b>Hot rocks is a massage therapy treatment used in easing back pain and aching muscles. It was developed by Mary Nelson-Hannigan of Tucson, Arizona and is sold under the name of

Monday, November 29th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

New Massage Method:Hot rocks is a massage therapy treatment used in easing back pain and aching muscles. It was developed by Mary Nelson-Hannigan of Tucson, Arizona and is sold under the name of â€œLaStone Therapy.â€ As many as 54 small-preheated basalt lava stones are place on the body. Rocks from volcanoes are used because of their ability to retain heat.

One the stones are heated to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, the massage therapist gets to work. Jane Scrivener of the British School of Complementary Therapy says, â€œIt is almost as if you are having two people working on you at once because you are cocooned in these warm stones while another part of your body is massaged.â€ The therapist applies the hot rocks to the boy with gentle strokes to encourage a deepened sense of well being. A hot rock massage costs about $80 per hour.

Certified Therapists:Licensed massage therapists who are trained in hot rock therapy administer the treatments. The stones are not for sale to the general public. The company supplies the stones to students, resorts and spas that have taken or will be taking the workshops. Hot rock training courses are offered to certified massage therapists. LaStone Therapy leaders want therapists to learn how to use the stones correctly because they believe the stones are not just a massage tool. They say the stones carry spiritual energies.

Spa Locations:About 75 spas currently offer hot rock therapy in 23 states:
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Wisconsin

For more information, contact:

LaStone Therapy
PMB 287
7850 North Silverbell
Suite 114
Tucson, Arizona 85703
(520) 572-9537
Web site at http://www.lastonetherapy.com