THERE S nothing nicer than a relaxing massage when you re feeling tired and stressed-out. So imagine a massage with warm stones. It sounds weird, but is, in fact, the ultimate massage experience. DEBBIE DAVIES reports on the new LaStone Therapy. LaSTONE

THERE'S nothing nicer than a relaxing massage when you're feeling tired and stressed-out. So imagine a massage with warm stones. It sounds weird, but is, in fact, the ultimate massage experience. DEBBIE DAVIES reports on the new LaStone Therapy.

LaSTONE therapy was developed in 1993, but is based on ancient methods of using stones and warmth to heal and relax the body and mind.

The idea of using hot and cold stones is based on ancient native American Indian philosophies.

The technique involves using firstly heated stones to increase blood flow and flush out waste products and then cooled stones, which refresh and invigorate and produce an analgesic effect.

The hot stones are made from basalt and are extremely hard.

Marble is used for the cooled stones.

The most important aspect of using something hot for massage is that it will radiate energy and the stone gives a much deeper and harder massage.

"The hot stones will help to bring blood to the surface of the body and the cold stones do the opposite and push it away," said LaStone therapist Lorraine Bradford from Ely's Chic Face & Body Salon in Forehill.

"The process is very effective for specific ailments such as injuries, congestion and water retention. It can also help to speed up the healing process and is very good for stress."

The therapy can be beneficial for injuries and will help to heal a body that is out of sync. It also helps to unblock the body's charaka points, taking negative energy away from the body and replacing it with positive energy.

All the stones have different

functions and they come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to fit different parts of the body.

The treatment generally takes about an hour and should leave the client feeling relaxed, but also energised, said Lorraine.

"The important thing is to treat people as individuals. None of our treatments are standard. We gear everything around the client's needs and the way they are feeling on that particular day. It may be a client has more tension in the neck area because they sit at a computer screen all day and we can work more on that one area if that's what they want."

INFO: If you would like more information about the LaStone massage treatment, contact Chic Face & Body on Ely 01353 665540.

FACTFILE

# LAStone Therapy is a deep-tissue healing treatment

# IT detoxifies the body, boosts the immune system and unblocks stagnant energy.

# THE heat increases the flow of oxygenated blood and boosts the metabolism which helps to improve the rate at which the body burns energy.

# IT also helps the flow of lymph so that toxins are washed out faster.

# WARMED basalt and cooled marble stones are placed on strategic areas of the body before the therapist begins the massage routine.

# THE technique draws on ancient native American

traditions using heated and then cooled stones.

# THE cooled stones help to reduce inflammation and stop muscle damage.