Stone Massage is a combination process that uses various types and sizes of stones that are either heated or cooled and then placed on the body at strategic points, or coated with oils or lotions and rubbed on the body. The weight of the stones can apply a compressive force on a point, and the stones either hold heat and slowly release it or act like ice and absorb heat and cool the body.

The theory behind Stone Massage is that warm stones will encourage the exchange of blood and lymph circulation throughout the body, and provide soothing and healing heat for deep-tissue work. Hot stones are used for encouraging circulation and for easing stiffness; cold stones are applied to aid with inflammation, to encourage blood to move away from a swollen area and in some cases to balance male/female energies. The benefits of alternating hot and cold stones during a Stone session have been known to encourage the circulatory system and the self-healing process.