Home / Treatments / Hot stone massage
Restore & relaxWarm basalt stones worked alongside hands-on treatment to loosen deep muscle tension and warm you right through, so the deeper release happens at a lower, more comfortable pressure. Delivered by registered massage therapists at our Metrotown clinic on Kingsway.
A quick word about the areas you want eased and how warm you like things, then you settle onto the table while the stones come up to temperature.
Smooth heated stones glide over the muscles and are placed on key points, while your therapist works by hand. The warmth softens the tissue so tension lets go without heavy pressure.
A gentle finish and a moment to come back to the room. Most people leave loose, warm and noticeably calmer than when they walked in.
Hot stone massage uses smooth basalt stones, warmed to a comfortable temperature, as an extension of the therapist's hands. The heat sinks into the muscle and softens it, which lets deep tension release at a lighter pressure than a standard deep tissue session would need.
It suits patients who like warmth, who find their muscles take a long time to settle, or who want a deeper result without heavier work. The heat also helps circulation, which is part of why the session tends to leave you both relaxed and looser at the same time.
Because it is delivered by a registered massage therapist, hot stone massage is usually claimable under your extended health plan. If you want firmer, targeted pressure instead, our deep tissue massage in Burnaby is the one to book.
Best if you like heat, want deeper release without heavier pressure, or find your muscles are slow to warm up and settle. A good choice for a recovery week or a deeply restful reset.
Hot stone is not suitable with some circulatory and skin conditions, or during pregnancy. Mention anything relevant on your intake form and your therapist will adapt or suggest a better option.
Both of our registered massage therapists provide hot stone massage, so you can book with either one. Zhen (Will) He trained in the massage therapy program at West Coast College of Massage Therapy. Before that he worked in reflexology, and he tends to focus on lower back pain, gluteal function and hip mobility, drawing on both deep tissue and relaxation technique. He works in English and Mandarin.
Yatong (Tiffany) Qu combines traditional Chinese massage technique with western massage therapy. She focuses on neck and back pain and on cervical problems, and works in English and Mandarin. You can meet both therapists before you book.
Nothing special is needed. Wear whatever is comfortable, eat something light beforehand, and drink water as you normally would.
If you are sensitive to heat, or if you are unsure how you will find it, say so at the start. Your therapist can use the stones for part of the session only, or work without them entirely.
Bring your extended health plan details to the first visit so direct billing can be set up.
Hot stone work is not suitable for everyone. Tell your therapist if you are pregnant, or if you have circulatory problems, diabetes, neuropathy or reduced sensation, skin conditions or open areas of skin, recent injuries, or if you take medication that affects how you sense heat.
Your therapist checks stone temperature against their own skin before it touches yours, and checks in with you during the session. You can ask for the heat to be reduced or for the stones to be set aside at any point.
If you are unsure whether it is appropriate for a specific condition, check with your doctor or nurse practitioner first.
Appointments are booked through our online system, which is open around the clock. If this is your first visit for this treatment, book the initial assessment so your therapist has time to take a full history before any hands-on work begins.
Your receipt is issued in your therapist’s name and carries their registration number, which is what extended health insurers ask for. We direct bill most major providers, so in most cases you pay only the portion your plan does not cover.
If you need to move or cancel an appointment, please give us 24 hours notice so the time can be offered to someone else.
Warm, never uncomfortable. Your therapist checks the temperature against your skin and their own hands before the stones touch you, and you can ask to dial the heat up or down any time.
Both. The heat calms the nervous system while it softens the muscle, so you get a treatment that feels restful and still shifts real tension.
Usually, yes. It is a registered massage treatment, so it is claimable like any other, and we direct bill most major providers.
Not quite. It is not recommended during pregnancy or with certain circulatory and skin conditions. Flag anything on your intake and we will find the right fit for you.
Yes, at any point. Your therapist checks the stones against their own skin first and will dial the heat up or down on request.
They are placed on the body to warm an area, and also held and moved through the tissue in place of the therapist’s hands. Hands-on work continues alongside the stones throughout.
Yes. Say so and the session continues as a regular registered massage treatment with no change to the length or price.
Just your extended health details for the first visit. Everything else is provided.
Treatment details and prices on this page are checked against our online booking system. Last updated 3 August 2026.
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