Hot stone massage is a wonderful addition to traditional bodywork, especially for muscle tension, and a good hot stone massage kit should include everything you need to get started. It’s just one more way to make your massage table all the more enticing and luxurious.
For more information and safety tips for hot stone massage, see the end of the article. Now let’s take a look at the best kits on the market.
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1. EDITOR’S CHOICE: Amethyst Lake 18-Quart Heater & 48-Stone Kit
Pros:- 48 black basalt stones
- Adjustable water temperature
- 18-quart heater
- Many different size stones
Cons:- No digital tempterature control
- Too big for some
- Not portable
If you’re starting from scratch or would like a wide array of stones, the Amethyst Lake Top Massage Stone Heater Kit is a nice choice. It comes with 48 basalt river rocks of varying sizes.
Remember that if a set of 48 stones seems like overkill, massage stones will need to be scrubbed clean and reheated between clients so having two sets can allow you to more easily book clients back to back.
The large, durable massage stone heater has an 18-quart vessel, giving you enough space to heat the full stone set without crowding. It has a simple-to-use adjustable temperature dial. Emptying the water from your heater is easy because the vessel lifts out of the heating base so it can be dumped into the sink.
A wooden slotted spoon is included to help retrieve stones as well as a drawstring bag for your stones. You also get a free ebook of the basics on hot stone massage and hot and cold massage.
Find more Amethyst Lake 18-Quart Heater & 48-Stone Kit information and reviews here.
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2. Clam Shell Hot Stone Kit
Pros:- Portable
- No water needed
- Cute
- Heats up fast
Cons:- No thermometer readout/control
- Higher chance of overheating stones
- Not ideal for professionals
For something smaller that has the added benefit of not looking like a crockpot, this Therapist’s Choice Clamshell offers an electric warmer that comes with 12 massage stones.
While not as ideal as a water bath, if what you’re looking for is a water-free heater, this is the one I’d go for. There’s space for all 12 included stones in this shell and it heats up in under 15 minutes.
Both sides of the clam shell have heating elements so the rocks warm up evenly. I like that it’s lightweight and easy to travel with if you’re working on location.
The main issue with this is that it needs a little more attention. It heats to 122 degrees and we don’t really want our rocks to be over 110 so you’ll definitely want to pick up a thermometer and keep an eye on your rocks to make sure they don’t get too hot.
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3. Portable Stone Massage Kit With Heater Case
Pros:- Perfect for traveling therapists
- 16 basalt stones
- Digital thermometer
- Water-less heater
Cons:- Water heaters are preferred by some
- Not many stones
- The bag could be more attractive
If you do a lot of on-site massages this Amethyst Lake Portable Kit might be the thing for you. It comes with a comfortable travel case that doubles as a water-less warmer for the included 16basalt stones.
The bag has a normal AC wall adapter plug as well as a car adapter for when you’re really on the go making it perfect for people who like to work fairs and places that might not always have access to an outlet. The heater is controlled by a digital thermometer and a free instructional e-book.
Find more Portable Stone Massage Kit With Heater Case information and reviews here.
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4. Hot Stone Set With Heating Briefcase
Pros:- Cheaper than others
- Easy to store when not in use
- Easy to carry
- Good stone assortment
Cons:- Not for professionals
- No temperature adjustment
- A little cheaply made
Whether you’re looking for a portable set, don’t have a lot of storage space to spare, or are simply on a tight budget–this Hot Stone Briefcase Set is a good choice. The narrow briefcase style with handed is great for being mobile and for sliding into closets or under beds when not in use. Plus it’s on the more affordable side.
It comes with a combination storage and heater briefcase as well as 20 stones in a variety of sizes. When on, the case heats up to around 140 degrees Fahrenheit–warmer than is typically recommended. The temperature can’t be adjusted and because it doesn’t use water, it isn’t as high quality or as safe so you’ll want to make sure you’re testing your stones on your own skin before putting them on someone else as well as checking in with your client’s comfort level to prevent burning them.
It’s not built for professionals but if you’re on a budget and need a first kit, this will get you going.
Find more Hot Stone Set With Heating Briefcase information and reviews here.
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5. Zabrina Hot Massage Stone Kit by Master Massage
Pros:- Compact Master Massage stone warmer
- 27 basalt massage stones
- Adjustable temperature
- Removable water vessel
Cons:- Maybe too small for some
- Less accuracy in choosing temperature
- No digital readout on warmer
At six quarts, this Zabrina Kit with Heater by Master Massage has an adjustable temperature dial that heats the vessel all the way up to 172 degrees, far more than you need. Unfortunately the dial isn’t labeled so you can’t automatically set it to 110 degrees off the bat. To account for this, Zabrina includes a digital readout thermometer so it might take a little fiddling with, but you could figure out which setting on the dial equates to your ideal temperature and mark that off so you can find it easily. It might take a bit more time at first but may be worth the money you save by forgoing a digital heater.
The heater is easy to empty since the vessel lifts out and it comes with a slotted wooden spoon for picking up your stones.
For massage stones this kit has 27 basalt rocks in five different sizes. This could be a little small for large operations but is plenty big enough for one treatment’s worth of massage stones at a time.
We tend to think of massage stones as being black and shiny, but don’t worry that these are lighter–basalt, the best stone for hot massage, is grey when clean and dry but turns black and shiny when wet or oiled.
What Are the Benefits of Hot Stone Massage?
The application of hot stones has been used for over 2000 years and has many benefits including reduced anxiety and stress, increased circulation, reduced muscle tension, and easing chronic pain.
If you're a professional massage therapist, massage with hot stones has the added benefit of taking some of the strain off your own hands and joints, allowing you to perform more treatments with less impact. Plus, hot stone is a nice way to expand your offerings, alone or as an add-on to your regular massage services that can net you a little more income per massage.
How Hot Is Too Hot?
It's that tension-melting heat that gives hot stones their power but you're looking for a hot stone massage kit, not a second-degree burn kit, right? When folks use appliances that aren't meant to heat hot stones (like hot plates, crock pots, turkey roasters, or even microwaves) the stones can overheat and become dangerous.
You don't want your stones to be any warmer than 110 degrees Fahrenheit and they should always be placed over a sheet laid on your clients and never on their bare skin--no matter what the beautiful spa stock photos show.
If your hot stone warmer doesn't come with a thermometer, I'd recommend picking one up. An infrared thermometer doesn't need to be directly touching to get an accurate reading, making them a great option for hot stones.
When all else fails, your stones shouldn't be so hot that you can't hold them. Many hot stone massage kits come with tongs or slotted spoons to retrieve your stones, but these should only be used to prevent your hands from getting too wet from sticking them into heaters full of water. If your stones are too hot to pick up with your bare hands, they're too hot to place on a client.
And because everyone is different, make sure your client is aware that the heat of the stones should be relaxing and not uncomfortable, and strongly encourage them to speak up if they feel too warm. You can always quickly dunk your stones in a cold water bath to slightly cool them down and return to your massage.
When Should I Not Use Hot Stones?
Avoid using hot stones on anyone with a sunburn, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neuropathy or other numbness, compromised immune systems, skin issues, or who is receiving cancer treatments, has thinner skin (the very young and elderly), or has recently had surgery. Stones should be skipped or greatly reduced in temperature for pregnant clients.
What Are Some Hot Stone Heating Tips?.
- - For dark-colored or deep heating vessels, place a white towel on the bottom of the warmer to make it easier to see and choose your stones.
- - Do try cold stone massage for inflammation and pain using marble, quartz, or granite stones by soaking them in ice water.
- - Never place stones beneath clients.
- - Even warm stones can burn if left in one stop for too long.
- - Avoid the face area or use only warm stones because the skin is thinner and more sensitive to heat.
- - Line stones sizes up in the heater in the order you'll want them during the massage so you don't waste time looking for the size you want next.