STONES USED IN HEALING
A little history...

The use of stones for healing purposed dates back thousands of years. The Chinese used heated stones over two thousand years ago as a means of improving the function of internal organs. Stones were used for healing work in North America, Africa, Europe, Egypt and India. These traditions included laying stones in patterns on the body, carrying or wearing stones for health and protection. Also, stones were used in diagnosis and treatment of disease and for ceremonial uses, such as medicine wheels and sweat lodges.

Native folk healers used heated stones to diminish the discomfort of menstruation, and the application of cold stones to slow bleeding after labor. In some cultures, women held stones during labor to add to their strength and endurance.

Many forms of massage bodywork were used in Ancient Rome. The Romans used stones in saunas and created therapeutic bath. Roman baths combined the effects of hot immersion baths with cooling effects of cold marble pools. These traditional practices of hydrotherapy and the application of heat and cold to the body produce therapeutic effects. Incorporating heated and cooled stones into a massage adds to the therapeutic effects of both the thermotherapy and the massage therapy.

As used in many of the ancient healing tradition, the Earth's natural resources such as; stones, water, herbs, or essential oils derived from plants, provide additional therapeutic effects to the massage treatment. The stones we use at SeaStones Natural Therapies Center were found along the New England shores and kept in their natural condition. Stones that have been tumbled naturally by the ocean add energy and dimension to the therapy session.

By combining these ancient therapies of massage, warm oil and heated textured stones the results are profound relaxation and lingering sense of well-being. The deep relaxation facilitate a health balance for the recipient on all levels-mind, body and spirit. Bringing together the compassion of a skill therapist, natural warmed stones, and the aroma of pure essential oils-the stage is set for peaceful bliss.