Heated stones combined with skilled hands. Penetrating warmth reaches a layer deeper than oil massage alone.
Hot stone massage in Redwood City uses smooth, heated basalt stones placed strategically along the body — and used as extensions of the therapist's hands. The deep, penetrating heat does something that hands alone cannot: it warms muscle tissue from the inside, which allows release at a depth that would otherwise require much firmer pressure.
At Redwood Health Center, our hot stone work blends two traditions: the classical Eastern understanding of warming the meridian lines (the same principle behind moxibustion), and Western therapeutic massage technique. The result is a session that feels deeply restorative — almost meditative — while still doing real therapeutic work on tight muscle and stubborn tension.
We also include a complimentary 15-minute hot stone treatment with every service we offer. Many first-time clients book a Swedish massage and add the hot stone bonus to experience the warmth before booking a full session. After that, most come back for the full hot stone treatment.
Same low rate as every other modality on our menu.
| Duration | Now | Was | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 min | $39 | $39 | $0 |
| 60 min | $59 | $79 | $20 |
| 90 min | Call for Price · 650-868-5088 | ||
| 120 min | Call for Price · 650-868-5088 | ||
Couples sessions: per person, same rate as single service.
FREE 15-min Hot Stone treatment included with any service.
Our clients book this session for a wide range of body issues. The most common reasons:
When cold air keeps muscle tight from the moment you wake up. The penetrating warmth releases what oil and pressure alone can't reach quickly.
The combination of warmth, weight, and stillness slows the nervous system in a way that ordinary massage rarely matches. Many clients fall asleep mid-session.
Heated stones placed along the spine and across the shoulders melt the upper back tension that builds from desk work and stress.
The heat encourages vascular dilation and improved circulation throughout the session and for hours afterward.
Massage for insomnia often pairs well with hot stone — the parasympathetic activation is profound, and many clients report the best sleep they've had in weeks.
When cold weather makes everything tight from the moment you wake up, hot stone is the most effective single session for resetting body temperature and muscle tone.
Skilled hot stone massage combines several specific techniques. Here's what your therapist will be doing during your session:
When you arrive, your therapist explains the session flow and answers any questions. Hot stones are heated to a precise temperature in a professional warmer — usually around 110-130°F. We always test the temperature on our own skin before placing them on yours.
You'll undress to your level of comfort and lie on the heated table. Your therapist begins by placing a row of stones along the spine and several others in strategic spots. You'll feel the warmth immediately. Most clients describe a feeling of "melting" within the first 5 minutes.
Once the muscles begin to release, your therapist starts active work — using stones in their hands, gliding through the long muscles, holding warmth on tight spots, and combining stone work with hand work. The pace is unhurried.
Toward the end, the stones are removed and the session closes with smooth oil-based finishing strokes. You'll be left to rest for a few minutes before getting up. Most clients describe a deeply settled, almost dreamy feeling afterward — the parasympathetic nervous system in full effect.
All eight of our licensed therapists are trained across the full menu. The therapists below have particular depth of experience with hot stone massage and are most-requested for this service:
Not sure who to book? Tell us where you're holding tension and we'll match you. Find your match by condition →
| Comparison | Notes |
|---|---|
| vs Swedish | Both are relaxation-focused. Swedish uses smooth hands and oil. Hot stone adds penetrating warmth that reaches a layer deeper without firmer pressure. Hot stone is often the next step after Swedish. |
| vs Deep Tissue | Deep tissue uses sustained firm pressure to release deeper layers. Hot stone uses heat to do similar work without the firm pressure. For stubborn pain, deep tissue is more direct. For relaxation with depth, hot stone wins. |
| vs Shiatsu | Shiatsu uses thumb pressure along meridian lines. Hot stone shares the meridian-warming concept (similar principle to moxibustion) but applies it through external heat instead of pressure. |
Verdict: Hot stone is ideal when you want depth without aggressive pressure — the warmth does work that pressure alone cannot. Many clients alternate hot stone (for relaxation visits) with deep tissue (for pain visits) on a 2-3 week rhythm.
It depends on what brings you in. Here are the most common rhythms our clients keep:
Not sure what rhythm makes sense for your situation? Chat with us on the bottom right — we'll talk through it.
The questions our clients ask most often about this service.
Stones are heated to around 110-130°F — warm enough to penetrate the muscle, but never hot enough to burn the skin. Your therapist always tests stone temperature on their own skin before placing them on yours, and tests again with you if you've never had hot stone before. If a stone feels too warm at any point, just say so — we'll cool it down or remove it.
Yes — particularly for back pain that comes from cold or stiffness. The penetrating heat reaches the deeper paraspinal muscles in a way that oil massage doesn't. For acute or chronic deep-set pain, however, our deep tissue massage is usually more effective. Many clients alternate the two.
We recommend consulting your physician first. Some adaptations of hot stone are appropriate during certain stages of pregnancy, but every situation is different. Please call us at 650-868-5088 before booking and we'll guide you through it.
A heating pad warms one area passively. Hot stone uses precisely heated stones at the right temperature, placed at strategic points along the body's meridian and muscle lines, combined with skilled therapeutic technique. The depth of release is on a different level entirely.
Yes. Every service we offer (Swedish, Deep Tissue, Shiatsu, Acupressure) includes a complimentary 15-minute hot stone treatment. No charge, no upgrade fee — it's how we welcome every client. If you've never tried hot stone before, this is a great way to experience it.
Anna, CiCi, and Leo are most-requested for hot stone. Anna's deep pressure naturally complements the heat. CiCi is comfortable across the entire menu and adjusts the session to your preferences. Chloe's calm, quiet style turns hot stone into a near-meditative experience.
60-min sessions from $59 (regularly $79). All sessions by appointment. Eight licensed therapists. Open daily 9am–10pm.
Call: 650-868-5088 Or chat with us on the bottom right →
