After a hectic weekend at Reading Festival, I was treated to a lava shell massage at my home. If, like me, you don't know what lava shells are, it's very similar to a hot stone massage. The treatment was absolutely amazing, and exactly what I needed after camping on the floor so I decided to let you into the secret in case you wanted to experience it yourself.
As well as being relaxing, Lava Shell massages are excellent for aches and pains, improving circulation, and reducing swelling or water retention.
With fans such as Ellie Goulding, Pixie Lott, and Mille Mackintosh, I decided to catch up with Lava Shells Managing Director to help explain more about this popular massage technique.
Q: What are Lava Shells?
Lava Shells are the world’s first self-heating massage tool. Lava Shells are 100% recycled, natural Tiger Clam shells. A patented, natural, biodegradable heat technology is incorporated into the Lava Shell which then emits heat for over an hour, allowing therapists to provide a continuous and seamless body massage.
Portable, eco-friendly and non-porous, Lava Shells can be used to treat a multitude of concerns from easing aching muscles and joints to alleviating the suffering from IBS and bloating. Due to the shells unique shape and angles they become an extension of the therapist’s hands, deploying deeply therapeutic relief to where it is needed.
Q: What differentiates a Lava Shell treatment from a hot stone treatment?
Lava shells have many unique qualities over hot stones, predominantly the continuous heat the shells emit for over an hour, thereby enabling the therapist to deliver a deeper, more relaxing treatment as they have continuous touch time with the client. Unlike stones the temperature of the shells stabilises as they are worked with and re-heat when rested, this means that the therapist is able to manage the temperature and offer a totally bespoke treatment to suit each and every client.
Q: How do Lava Shells work?
A sachet containing a blend of food grade minerals is placed inside the shell to which the activator, a saline solution, is added, causing an exothermic reaction. Once activated the shells take between 5 and 10 minutes to heat up and then continue to generate heat for over an hour. As the shell is used, it will naturally transfer heat to the body and cool; when set aside and rested it will begin increasing in temperature.
My treatment was provided by a company called Spa by Car, who come to your house to offer treatments, so if you fancy being treated (or treating someone) at home then I would recommend them. They bring everything including a massage bed. You can find out more about them here.
Let me know if you've ever had a lava shell massage, I'd be interested to know how you found out.
Until next time... x
