I use Stones for their therapeutic value not as a beauty treatment.

Basalt stones, (from volcanoes) are used either hot or cold according to the condition being treated. The heat from the stones can penetrate up to one and a half inches into the muscle and tissue helping it to relax, this also helps the massage process allowing deeper and easier stimulation and detoxification. The stones are millions of years old and contain health promoting properties.

Hot Stones have a wide range of benefits including:

 Increased/improved circulation eliminating waste products, helps promote the release of tension in connective tissue, increases joint mobility, helps fight infection, increased metabolism, reduces muscle spasm, promotes relaxation.

Cold Stone can help:

Reduce inflammation and build up of scar tissue, produce natural pain relief, ease congestion, soothe irritation.

Conditions that respond well to Thermal Stone Massage are: Aches/pains back pain Arthritis Fibromyalgia Stress/anxiety Circulation problems Insomnia Depression.

Swedish Remedial Massage - inc Advanced Wholistic Massage 

The earliest mention of massage appears in a Chinese book dating from about 2700 BC: 'Early morning stroking with the palm of the hand, after the night's sleep, when the blood is rested and the tempers relaxed, protects against colds, keeps the organs supple and prevents minor ailments.'

Swedish Remedial Massage uses a combination of movements to manipulate the soft tissues of the body, particularly muscles. It can be used for relaxation, stimulation or rehabilitation of the whole body or part of it. It promotes suppleness of the muscles, improves circulation and reduces stress and is a natural and effective way to treat physical and psychological conditions.

The physiological effects of massage are:

• Encourages better circulation thus a more efficient delivery of nutrients
• Encourages deeper breathing to a more relaxed breathing
• Reduces swelling by encouraging better lymph drainage
• Relieves muscle fatigue to tired sore muscles
• Relieves stiff joints therefore more beneficial for arthriris sufferers
• Promotes general relaxation
• Improves the tone of the skin and colour
• Can sedate or stimulate the nervous system (depending on the type of massage performed)
• Encourages sleep, therefore helps insomnia
• Encourages better waste removal 

The psychological effects of massage:

• Relaxing, thereby reducing tension and the effects of stress
• Relaxes the mind thereby reducing anxiety and its effect
• Eases discomfort of aches and pains
• Increases energy by invigorating all the body systems thereby reducing fatigue after the energy in the body is spent held in a state of tension and strain

Massage is one of the best known antidotes for stress. Reducing stress gives you more energy, improves your outlook on life, and in the process reduces your likelihood of injury and illness. Massage can also relieve symptoms of conditions that are aggravated by anxiety, such as asthma or insomnia.

Painful or Tight Muscles

Massage can relieve many types of muscle tightness, from a short-term muscle cramp to a habitually clenched jaw or tight shoulders. Some massage techniques release tension directly by stretching, kneading, and compressing your muscles. Other techniques work indirectly by affecting your nervous system to allow your muscles to relax.

Pain or Tingling in Arms or Legs

Muscles can become so contracted that they press on nerves to the arms, hands and legs, causing pain or tingling. If this happens, a massage to release the contracted muscles can bring relief.

Injuries

Massage can help heal injuries that develop over time, such as tendinitis, as well as ligament sprains or muscle strains caused by an accident. Massage reduces inflammation by increasing circulation to the affected area, which removes waste products and brings nutrients to injured cells. Certain massage techniques can limit scar formation in new injuries and can reduce or make more pliable the scar tissue remaining around old injuries.

Prevention of New Injuries

By relieving chronic tension, massage can help prevent injuries that might result from putting stress on unbalanced muscle groups or from favouring or forcing a painful, restricted area.

Joint Pain or Restriction

Besides releasing tight muscles that restrict joint movement, massage works directly on your joints too by improving circulation around them and stimulating the production of natural lubrication within them, relieving pain from conditions such as osteoarthritis.

Posture

As massage releases restrictions in muscles, joints, and surrounding fascia, your body is freed to return to a more natural and healthy posture. Massage can also relieve the contracted muscles and pain caused by abnormal spina.l curvatures such as scoliosis