Stone Massage
"Short-term heated stones moving along tissue, over muscle and limbs generate a sympathetic response in the body initially, lasting up to one minute, with a single application of heated stones. Short-term chilled stones moving along tissue, over muscle and limbs generate a sympathetic response in the body initially, by continuously bringing in fresh chilled stones to the area for a period of five to twenty minutes, depending upon the level of congestion and inflammation. You will recognize the change in the tissue as the body brings oxygenated blood to the area, and begins the healing process. Both short-term heat and short-term cold to the body are a Yang/action/warrior reaction.
The body must determine if the temperature being offered to the tissue is a real threat, or if the body can maintain homeostasis as the temperature is maintained at the extreme degree it was first initiated to the body. This moving of stones over tissue in the first few moments that the mind is determining if the temperature is supporting the body or challenging the body is also referred to as ”convection”; the temperature enters the superficial tissue with the aid of massage oil, pressure and movement. Allowing the tissue to absorb the full benefit of the temperature being offered, whether it is hot or cold stones. After the mind has determined the body is not in a real threat situation, it begins to relax into the temperature if the degree of temperature is being maintained by alternating fresh heated or chilled stones to the area being massaged."