My hot stone massage equipment has arrived, however there is much preparation to be done before their first use!
The heater must be left to cure on its hottest setting for an hour, this burns off a funny smell!
The hot stones (basalt) are a lot paler than you may be used to seeing, they must first be washed in warm soapy water, rinsed and then left to dry naturally so they hydrate. They will then be rubbed in an oil which is left to be absorbed.
The basalt will be washed in salty water to cleanse and energies them after every use and will be stored with a labradorite crystal, which was will recharge their energy.
My set also came with some other crystals. These can be placed over the chakras on the body after a massage to rebalance the chakras.
It is also possible to have a cold stone massage, this is done using chilled marble stones, they are recharged using a moonstone crystal, but will soften if cleansed with salt water.
Cold stone massage can be useful for pain relief, reducing inflammation and to ease sinus pain.