Hot Stone Massage

Anyone with injuries or breaks in the skin should avoid a hot stone massage until those injuries have healed.

Recent or severe bruising, cuts or scrapes, sunburn or varicose veins increase the risk for further tissue damage or injury. They also raise the chance of infection being introduced via bacteria from the massage oils or stones.

 This may sound like commonsense, but anyone with a fever, cold, or flu should avoid a massage until they feel better.

Someone with a fever may spread their germs, and they will have difficulty regulating their body temperature, as well. This will leave them feeling more uncomfortable when hot stones are put on their skin.

 Heart disease can cause swelling or other problems in the veins or arteries of the legs, both of which can be negatively affected by a massage.

A person should always tell the massage therapist about any health issues they have, so that they can be aware of potential risks.

Diabetes influences how well the nerves and blood vessels function in the fingers and feet. People with diabetes can lose feeling in their hands and feet, making them unable to feel if an injury, such as a burn, occurs.

When it comes to massage, they may not be able to tell if the massage therapist is using too much pressure, or if the hot stones are burning their skin.

 Drugs and alcohol do not mix well with massage. Both impair the ability to give feedback if necessary, and also affect judgment, and a person's self-control over their impulses.

Furthermore, having a massage can leave someone feeling light-headed or wobbly. Drinking alcohol will compound and worsen these feeling

 Prenatal massage can be very relaxing and beneficial for many women, during their pregnancy, however, using hot stones  can lead to many potential risks. 

While it does not matter as much for a healthy person if their core temperature rises slightly, it can have dire effects on pregnant women and should therefore be avoided.