Lava Shell Massage

Heated Shells Provide A Relaxing Massage

Lava Shell Massage is a relaxing massage that uses heat, like hot stone massage and La Stone Therapy. During a Lava Shell Massage, the therapist uses real shells from the Philippines to gently massage your body.

The heat comes from inside the Lava Shells due to a mixture of a minerals and algae with salt water and essential oils. When they are combined inside the shell, it creates a chemical reaction that causes heat for one or two hours.

While a Lava Shell massage has some similarities to hot stone massage, it also has some important differences. Read a review of a Lava Shell Massage.

What You Need To Know About Lava Shell Massage

Some spas are offering Lava Shell Massage instead of hot stone because the preparation and clean-up is much easier. While it has the element of heat, it is not the same as a hot stone massage.

The therapist massages your body using heated clam shells, called Lava Shells. The therapist hold the shell in the palm of their hand while using light Swedish massage strokes. It's primarily a relaxing, soothing massage. If you want deeper work, hot stone is a better choice.

The shells have a rubber plug in the bottom. The therapist inserts a packet of minerals and algae into the shell, then adds sea-water and plugs it up again. The chemical interaction between the ingredients creates heat inside the shell that lasts one to two hours.

You should speak up if the shells are too warm, especially at the beginning. They cool the more they are used.

The shells comes from real Tiger-Striped Clams, which are a traditional part of the Philippine diet. The shells used to be thrown away. Now they're being recycled into this new massage tool.

Where Can I Get A Lava Shell Massage?

Spas that offer Lava Shell Massage include Alvadora Spa at Royal Palms in Phoenix and The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Aviara in Carlsbad (30 minutes north of San Diego).

How Much Does A Lava Shell Massage Cost? The price will vary by how luxurious the spa is. A day spa might charge $75-$100, a resort spa $125-$175.

Can I Do Lava Shell Massage At Home?

There is a Lava Shell home kit for $19.95. It has one shell, a one ounce bottle of oil, and four "charges" for heating the shell four times. You can use it on yourself or another person. Right now it is available at spas that offer the Lava Shell massage. Refill kits with four more charges are $9.95.