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Wands have been used for time immemorial as a healing tool. Massage wands not only aid in channeling energy in reflexology and massage but they also allow the healing properties of the stone used to work directly though the skin.
How crystals and gemstones are actually used in a massage sessions varies with each practitioner. Some use a crystal or gemstone as a massage tool. Others may lay a gemstone or crystal directly on the client’s body, to effect healing in that area. Still others place crystals or gemstones in specific areas of their session room, to open up energy.
According to Sonia Alexandra, founder of a stone-massage products and education business in Boca Raton, Florida, stones can be used intuitively as the practitioner sees fit.

"In my six years of educating licensed professionals in stone and crystal work, I have seen a lot of creativity put to use on ways to use the stones," Alexandra says. "You can either use [an established] methodology point by point, or take some of those methods and add your own creative, intuitive, personal style to the work. Either way, the effects of the stones are very powerful."

The use of crystals as vehicles for healing and for use in massage is nothing new. Many cultures and religions have bestowed magical powers and reverence upon crystals and gemstones. They are seen as healing because they come from the earth and are infused with planetary energy. Each stone - unique in shape, color, size and derivation - is believed to carry its own energetic vibration.
According to Michael Katz, author of the book Gemisphere Luminary,

"Only therapeutic-quality gemstones allow the full range of a gemstone’s healing properties to be expressed. Therapeutic quality gemstones are those which meet high standards for physical purity and quality. For every gemstone there is a different set of criteria which makes that gem therapeutic."

Andrew Pacholyk, a massage therapist and metaphysical consultant practicing in New York City, says that crystals are manifestations of our planet. Infused with the energy of air, fire, soil and water, they possess strong healing and nurturing powers, he says.
Pacholyk also believes that crystals work to reconnect the chakra points by energizing and balancing the energy centers.

"Each chakra in the body is seen as a focal point of life energy," he says. "Chakras are stations along the central axis of the body, which correlate to the ethereal energy of our being. Each one is a point at which energy can be expressed in a certain set of actions, attitudes and emotions."
"The various chakras are a map of the soul, which you can check in with in order to maintain good health and balance.These points represent our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth. They are openings through which our attitudes and belief systems enter into and create our body/mind structure. The energy created from our emotional and mental attitudes run through each chakra. This energy is then distributed to all aspects of our bodies."

Celia Harnley, of Hudson, Minnesota, uses gemstones not only to affect her physical well-being in her massage sessions, but also to help her clients’ emotional well-being.

"Sometimes I will have a client hold crystals that are significant to their particular healing in each hand," Harnley says. Harley also uses crystals as massage tools. "I might use a knobby piece for deep muscle work and a rounder-shaped piece for more delicate massage strokes," she says.

Laurie West, an aesthetics instructor at the Florida College of Natural Healing, in Davie, believes that crystal massage is one of the most deeply relaxing types of massage that she has encountered.

“There is something about the combination of the chakra work in tandem with the healing energies of the crystals used that just really makes a difference in the quality of healing and the effect that the work has on the body," she says.

The Effects of Massage on the Muscular System

Massage can encourage the development and nutrition of the muscular system stimulating its circulation, nerve supply and cell activity. The muscles can become firmer and more elastic through regular and systematic massage.
The supply of blood to muscles is a function of their activity. For example, blood passes approximately three times faster through muscles being massaged than for muscles at rest. Kneading and compression movements create a pumping action that brings a fresh supply of blood to the muscles. Similarly, massage can aid the removal of metabolic waste products and hence nourish the cells and tissues.
Research has found that massage within two hours of heavy exercise can reduce the effect of Delayed Onset Muscle soreness and there is little doubt that muscles fatigued by exercise will be more quickly restored by massage than by passive rest of the same duration. Hence massage is highly effective in reducing the recovery time of athletes.
Massage can assist in recovery of muscle injury. Muscle tissue that has suffered injury heals at a faster rate when therapeutic and remedial massage is applied regularly and professionally. Friction massage prevents and reduces the development of adhesions and there is less connective tissue build-up or scarring. Massage can also have great effects on the range of motion of limbs that have restricted range because of tissue injury, inflammation, muscle tension or muscle strain.
Massage has direct physiological and psychological benefits. Massage increases metabolism, aids healing, rejuvenates and relaxes the muscles whilst enhancing the detoxifying functions of the lymphatic drainage system. Muscle spasms and cramps may be relieved (or even prevented) by massage. Massage is also beneficial in keeping the skin functioning in a normal, healthy manner as blood carries the nutrients to the skin.