"The words 'hot' and 'stone' might conjure up tortuous ideas of walking across coals, but if hot stone massage is punishment, then name me guilty."

Massages are meant to be relaxing, but knowing I was about to be rubbed down by heated river rocks, my muscles were a little on edge.

After checking in at Amethyst Therapy and filling out forms for safety's sake, the first thing I noticed was a specially designed 'crock pot' brewing up a dozen or so black volcanic stones; large ones for the back, and smaller ones for the nooks and crannies around the neck and shoulders.

According to owner of Amethyst and therapist, Victoria Knight, the benefits are more likely due to the porous rocks holding in the heat and stimulating the skin rather than any voodoo magic. Perhaps disappointing, but true.

The experience starts out just like any other massage; the lights are turned down, you strip off, and then on goes a soothing CD of watery sounds to help you set the mental scene.

When the stones first hit the skin, they are hot, but not unbearably so. After a short time of the therapist gliding the smooth stones across the skin's surface, it's easy to forget that they are stones at all. You can elect how intense you wish the massage to be but just because they're stones, more pressure doesn't equal pain.