By Abbie Kadabby · September 30, 2026 · 5 min read
Heated stones are one of the most common add-on questions we get at LaBella. Here is the honest version of what hot stone massage is, what it feels like in the room, and how it fits with the massage menu we already offer.
Quick note up front. At LaBella, hot stones are not a separate line on our menu; they are a $40 add-on booked alongside any session. The service that runs underneath stays the one you chose, which keeps your session shape and your therapist's pressure plan intact.
What hot stone massage is
A hot stone massage uses smooth, flat basalt stones that hold heat well. The stones are warmed in a bath of hot water, then used in two ways. Your therapist glides them along the body the way they would use their hands, using the stone as an extension of the forearm and palm to warm the tissue and ease tight spots. They also rest stones on quiet areas of the body, the back, the shoulders, the feet, so the heat stays with you between strokes.
The technique is the same massage you booked, with heat layered in. The stones do not replace the work; they add a kind of warmth and weight that hands alone can't quite reach.
What it feels like
The first contact is the part people remember. A warm stone on the back reads as a deep, even heat, the kind you would lean into rather than flinch from. Gliding strokes with the stone feel slower and more grounded than the same stroke with hands, and the warmth sinks into the muscle ahead of the pressure. When stones are rested, the heat stays with you between strokes, so the whole session feels a little quieter and a little more held.
It is not a hotter version of deep tissue. The work stays at the pressure you chose. The stone simply opens the tissue with heat first, which is why a Swedish with hot stones can feel as relieving as a deeper session without the deeper pressure.
Who tends to choose it
- Guests carrying tension in the upper back, shoulders, and neck, where heat often does more than pressure.
- Cold-weather regulars who want a deeper sense of warmth and rest in the room.
- Guests who find deep pressure too much for them, but still want the day to feel substantial.
- Anyone who simply loves the feeling of a warm stone on the back and wants more of it in a session.
Who should ask first
Tell us when you book if you are pregnant, recovering from a recent injury, or have a medical condition where heat is a concern. We will talk it through with you before you arrive and help you choose the right swap, which is often warm towel work, a different add-on, or a lighter-pressure modality underneath.
How it fits with the massage menu
Hot stones layer onto any of our massage services. Our massage menu runs from a 60-minute Swedish at $95 through Tranquility-Swedish at $105, Therapeutic at $115, and Deep Tissue at $125, with longer sessions at 90 and 120 minutes and a full set of specialty work including Prenatal, Lymphatic, and Health Connection. The Massage Types Guide walks through pressure and intent side by side if you are choosing between them.
The pairing is straightforward. Book the massage you want, and add Hot Stone for $40. The session you already chose stays the one your therapist plans around; the stones warm the work in.
Aftercare
Treat a hot stone session the way you would any other massage. Take a few minutes to get up, drink water through the rest of the day, and skip the very hot shower, hot tub, or sauna for the first 24 hours. A short walk is better than a hard workout. Our full massage aftercare guide covers what is normal, what to watch for, and when to call us.
FAQs
Is hot stone a separate service at LaBella? Hot stones are not a separate line on our menu; ask when you book and we will add Hot Stone to any massage for $40. The service that runs underneath stays the one you chose, so you can pair it with Swedish, Therapeutic, Deep Tissue, Lymphatic or another modality that fits the day.
How warm are the stones? Smooth basalt stones are heated in warm water and your therapist checks the temperature before they touch your skin. The heat is steady and comforting rather than sharp. If anything feels too warm at any moment, say so and we will adjust the temperature or remove the stone.
Who should ask first before booking hot stones? Tell us when you book if you are pregnant, have a recent injury, or have a medical condition where heat is a concern. We will talk through the right swap, which may be a warm towel or a different add-on, before you arrive.
Want to add Hot Stone to your next session? Book any massage and add a note that you would like Hot Stone, or call or text (325) 703-6777.
