New to Hot Stone massage?

Hot stone massage london

How the treatment works, its benefits, and how it can support your body

For those of you new to my website or blog, I’m Bethany—an Advanced Clinical Massage Therapist based in London. I offer self-massage workshops both in person and online and have recently qualified in Hot Stone Fusion Massage at the Jing Institute in Brighton.

As I introduced this beautiful treatment into my clinic, I noticed that many clients had never experienced a Hot Stone massage before. They were curious about its benefits, how it feels, and what the treatment actually involves. After spending the last four months chatting with clients about it, I thought—what better way to answer these questions than by writing them down? So, if you’re Hot Stone curious, read on to see if this is something that could benefit you!

How Does the Treatment Work?

First, we need to determine if heat is right for you. If you’re highly sensitive to heat, have a condition that could be triggered by warmth, or simply don’t enjoy feeling cozy and warm, this may not be the best treatment for you. That being said, there are alternatives, such as cold stone therapy.

Once we establish your comfort level with heat, I’ll walk you through exactly how I run the treatment.

The clue is in the name: Hot Stone Fusion Massage. You’ll still receive a mindful, holistic, and deeply relaxing treatment—but with the added blissful benefits of heat, delivered through beautifully shaped volcanic basalt stones.

I always ensure the stones are at a comfortable temperature. If I can’t hold them, I won’t place them on your skin. I’ll test the heat, let you know when a stone is coming, and check in with you to make sure it feels just right.

Our bodies absorb heat differently in different areas. For example, your forearms might tolerate more heat, whereas the skin on your chest or lower back may need a cooler temperature. This is why communication is key throughout the session!

Where Do the Stones Go?

The stones are placed strategically to ground you and deliver warmth to areas we often neglect—like the feet, in between the toes, the face, and the hands.

I’ll sometimes set a stone aside to use my elbows or forearms for deeper pressure, then bring the stone back to enhance the heat’s effect on tight areas. I also glide the stones over the body before transitioning to hands-on massage, creating a seamless fusion of heat and touch. Thanks to my training at the Jing Institute, I integrate hot stones into holistic deep tissue treatments for a truly unique experience.

Communication Throughout

I will always check in with you to ensure you’re still enjoying the sensation. Sometimes, a new experience feels great at first, but after a while, your body may react differently—and that’s okay! If at any point you feel like you need a break from the heat, we can simply remove the stones and continue with a traditional massage.

I’ll also regularly check that the temperature feels comfortable for you in the moment. Communication is especially important in your first Hot Stone session so I can understand how your body responds to heat.

Benefits of Hot Stone Massage

Relieves Muscle Tension & Pain

• The heat penetrates deep into muscles, helping to release tightness and ease chronic pain.

• Beneficial for conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, and other chronic pain disorders.

• Loosens stiff joints and improves flexibility.

  
  

Reduces Stress & Anxiety

• The warmth calms the nervous system, lowering cortisol (the stress hormone).

• Helps promote deep relaxation and mental well-being.

• Encourages mental clarity and emotional balance.

• Provides a sense of grounding.

• Improves sleep quality by reducing stress-related insomnia.

  
  

Who Can Benefit from This Treatment?

• People with chronic pain conditions (such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, frozen shoulder, or chronic migraines).

• Those experiencing high stress or anxiety.

• Individuals with stiffness from an active lifestyle or prolonged sitting.

• Anyone struggling with poor circulation or joint discomfort.

• Anyone who simply loves heat!

  
  

I personally love receiving this treatment, but I love offering it to my clients even more. Seeing how the heat and weight of the stones help their bodies release, relax, and feel truly grounded is incredibly rewarding.

I offer this treatment at both my Waterloo and Bermondsey clinics each week, and I’d love to support you on your journey to relaxation and well-being.