"Hot stone massage...originated in Tucson, Arizona in 1993. It has since become one of the hottest new spa treatments worldwide.
The massage combines hot and cold Basalt or marble stones with traditional massage strokes to warm, work and invigorate the body and mind. The treatment can be targeted at isolated areas of injury or at the whole body to benefit both mind and body.
The effect on the circulatory system is said to assist the body in self-healing.
The technique is designed to benefit both client and therapist at once. Therapists discover that the stress and strain to their hands, wrists and arms are much lessened in this form of massage as the stones and thermal variation do all the heavy work for them. Thus they are able to work more efficiently for longer periods of time."