While cryotherapy can be an effective form of medical treatment in certain circumstances, in massage, cold stones have the advantage over ice, in that stones do not desensitize the skin, as ice can, so soft tissue manipulations and mobilizations will not be taken beyond the client's tolerance.
Cold stones alternated with hot stones can provide a therapeutic balance*.
Some benefits of cold stones: disperse congestion, alleviate swelling, interrupt muscle spasms, stimulate the autonomic nervous system, increase metabolism and invigorate.
*Alternating cold and hot stone application is not a treatment for everyone. If a client is prone to being cold day to day, or has mild circulatory problems, it is recommended that the client experience a hot stone massage only.
