thermal palms

[jacqueline]

anyone see the thermal palms? thermalpalms.com ..i think they are kind of neat but I can't imagine them retaining heat for very long.? Youtube has a video demonstration as well..they say they are good for outcalls and or chair massage

[sassafrass]

The concept is pretty interesting. I agree with you, though- I can't imagine oatmeal holding heat long enough. My treatments are usually 75-90 minutes and I can't even finish eating a bowl of oatmeal before it gets cold . It also seems a little expensive for a product that only lasts 15 applications- and perhaps a tad labor intensive. I don't know the specifics, but I'm not sure I want to make a big pot of oats bofore every outcall.... Please let me know if you do give them a try. I posted a question a while back about heat and outcalls and think this has some potential- even if not perfect. Thanks for putting this on the radar screen, jacqueline!

[Rydia]

I actually just purchased these, I wanted to try something new. I'll keep you updated on how everything goes, and if it's worthwhile! Waiting for it to arrive..

[cstbrian]

It also seems a little expensive for a product that only lasts 15 applications

That was my concern.

I watched the videos. They say that you need to prepare 4 thermal palms for a 60-90 minute treatment. So if I used them for almost every massage, I would have to buy new wraps at least once a month?!??!? Sounds a little crazy to me.

I don't use stones. But I do use a moist electric heating pad microwaveable rice packs. I have had the heating pad and the rice packs since I was in school 5 years ago. Seems like a much better investment to me.


Brian

[bodyworkbiz]

There seems to be a few misconceptions out there about the Thermal Palms.

The wraps are actually resuable. After a session, you just throw them into the washer with your sheets and towels. Massage oil does degrade the fabric however, so after about 10 to 15 treatments, they will need to be replaced. So if you purchase a small package of 50 wraps you can make anywhere from 500 to 750 Thermal Palms before they degrade. Considering you need only four for an hour massage, that's a lot of treatments (125 to 180 treatments if my math is correct).

Factoring in the cost of the wrap, it would cost less than 20 cents to make one Thermal Palm wrap. That's nothing really. But you can charge and additional $2 to $5 per wrap used for your treatment because like stone massage, this would be considered a premium service.

They retain their heat for a surprisingly long time. I was a little dismissive when I heard that the heat medium was oatmeal, but when made and used as directed, the Thermal wrap material keeps them hot for the hour. A lot longer than stones.

In a workshop yesterday, there were three practitioners that did hot stone massage and they all said aftewards that they were getting rid of the hot stones and using the Thermal Palms instead becasue they were so easy to make and clean up, kept their heat much longer than stones, and were easier on their hands because of the heat sheilds that are used. You can see them on this YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpnxIVwPhCU

I'm biased, but they are definitely worth checking out. I think that within a year, these will be the next big thing and I can see a lot of people giving up their hot stone and using Thermal Palms.

[Vita]

I actually just purchased these, I wanted to try something new. I'll keep you updated on how everything goes, and if it's worthwhile! Waiting for it to arrive..

Just checkin' in to see if you have an update! I'm interesting in the thermal palms, but want to learn a little more before I take the next step.

[peacenut]

So its been 3 and a half years now. How many of you have given up hot stones for the thermal palms??

[pueppi]

Here is a little info I pulled from Facebook about the Thermal Palms (see quote below in grey box). I am also adding this information as an info-bit for alternative hand-held heat modalities:

Cross link to Lava Shells thread.

Along with:

• Sassi Stones
  
  
• Thermal Palms
  
  

  RE: Thermal Palms - From a few practitioners on Facebook:
  
  * ...check out Thermal Palms. They are a great alternative to hot stones. They glide easily over the skin and can also be used over clothes. You can make them in advance of your appointment and carry them in an insulated bag so they stay hot. They are lightweight and retain their heat well.
  
  
  * Yes. I have used them and I love them as long as they never touch the skin. I have thought they would be absolutely perfect for what you are talking about. I like them quite a bit but they are FAR to hot to even consider touching a client's skin with. People love how they feel through clothing. They glide quite nicely and heat up very quickly.
  
  
  * I love my thermal palms. All you need is a microwave.

[peacenut]

I am interested in an update on the Thermal Palms. There has been recent talk on Facebook about them.

Once you make a Thermal Palm, how many times can you reheat it before you need to empty it and wash the various pieces? Can they be used on different clients by sanitizing the outside and simply reheating?? Can they be reheated in a hot water bath? In a towel Cabi? Or only in the microwave?

If you use them on all your clients in the course of a day, they appear to be a lot of work prepping as many as you would need, not to mention the cost of up keep as the wraps wear out. What are the cost of replacement wraps?

[bodyworkbiz]

I'd be happy to answer your questions. Many of the questions are answered below and I'll just copy here for your reference:

The wraps are actually resuable. After a session, you just throw them into the washer with your sheets and towels. Massage oil does degrade the fabric however, so after about 10 to 15 treatments, they will need to be replaced. So if you purchase a small package of 50 wraps you can make anywhere from 500 to 750 Thermal Palms before they degrade. Considering you need only four for an hour massage, that's a lot of treatments (125 to 180 treatments if my math is correct).

Factoring in the cost of the wrap, it would cost less than 20 cents to make one Thermal Palm wrap. That's nothing really. But you can charge and additional $2 to $5 per wrap used for your treatment because like stone massage, this would be considered a premium service.

They retain their heat for a surprisingly long time. I was a little dismissive when I heard that the heat medium was oatmeal, but when made and used as directed, the Thermal wrap material keeps them hot for the hour. A lot longer than stones.

In a workshop yesterday, there were three practitioners that did hot stone massage and they all said aftewards that they were getting rid of the hot stones and using the Thermal Palms instead becasue they were so easy to make and clean up, kept their heat much longer than stones, and were easier on their hands because of the heat sheilds that are used.

In addition:

Here's a YouTube video from participants of a workshop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGD6AvTK1lQ It shows them in use and there are some comments by the practitioners.

Unfortunately there are no videos of the cleanup, but it only takes a minute. You open up the wrap and dump the contents that are in a paper filter into your compost or garbage and then you just put the wrap in with your regular linen.

Making them only takes minutes and you can pre-prepare them for the day if you want to save even more time. A microwave is the only way to prepare these. The kit comes with an insulated bag that you use to store them in your treatment room during your session. Some people have asked about keeping them warm in a towel cabbie and I suppose that would work, but it's not necessary.

You cannot reuse the same Thermal Palms for multiple clients, but the preparation and clean up of a set is so easy that it's really not a factor.

There's an online webinar here that tells you pretty all you need to know about them: https://www.facebook.com/thermalpalms?sk=app_180144995374205

[pueppi]

Here's hoping someone will answer your specific questions, and I want to know too. So, at the risk of being pushy, I am re-writing them to help with the process...



Once you make a Thermal Palm, how many times can you reheat it before you need to empty it and wash the various pieces?

I'm gathering once you use it, you are done, and have to empty it out. But, I can't tell for sure from the post above. bodyworkbiz?????

Can they be used on different clients by sanitizing the outside and simply reheating??
Can they be reheated in a hot water bath?
In a towel Cabi?
Or only in the microwave?

bodyworkbiz, can you answer these too?

[bodyworkbiz]

Pueppi, I'll do my best to answer your questions specifically.

Once you make a Thermal Palm, how many times can you reheat it before you need to empty it and wash the various pieces?

The thermal palm wrap is a smooth, non-porous medical grade material that you put oatmeal in. There is a paper filter that you use as a lining. You use the Thermal Palm once only. You open it, empty the material, which comes out in a nice clean little ball. Then you just put the reusable wrap material with your regular linen for washing. It literally takes a few seconds to do. There is a video of making the Thermal Palms on the site, but unfortunately no video of the clean up.

Can they be used on different clients by sanitizing the outside and simply reheating??

Technically yes I suppose. But I wouldn't do it. The texture of the Thermal Palm changes. It's best to use new ones with each client. And you really wouldn't really save any significant time or money.

Can they be reheated in a hot water bath?
In a towel Cabi?
Or only in the microwave?

They could be reheated in a microwave, but you don't want to do that. It's hard to describe unless you've used them, but the texture changes and they get too firm. And it's so fast and cheap to make a new set, that it only makes sense that you to put together a new set for each client. Again, it only takes a couple minutes to do and you can prepare sets of them ahead of time for your day if you are on a tight schedule. The preparation and clean up just takes a fraction of the time that hot stones do.

Hope that helps. The videos on the Thermal Palms site or the webinar link in my last post gives you a good overview.

[peacenut]

I wonder if you could use a hand held HotShotz and get about the same effect? Here is their website, http://hotshotzheat.com/ .

These Hotshotz packs are reusable. A chemical reaction produces the heat. They reach full temp in less than 20 seconds. The smallest ones will keep their heat for about an hour. They are encased in plastic. The wholesale price for the small ones is $4 a piece, and the suggested retail price is $8.

[bodyworkbiz]

It's a completely different feel. They really need to be experienced and I wish there was a way to do that online because it's so difficult to describe. I love hotshotz, but using those would be like massaging someone with a bag of water. I just can't see that working.

[joannagodwin]

Hi, I am a licensed massage therapist for 20+ years in Florida. I own a massage therapy establishment and our specialty has always been hot stones. I learned about Thermal Palms about a year ago and was finally able to take the course that was offered on them last April. Since then my experience with them has been nothing but GREAT!

The fact is that the Thermal Palms are soft and pliable, the Thermal Palms glide easily on the client’s skin, you can add as little or as much pressure as your client warrants and sailing over bony prominence’s is a breeze and it is doable, whereas with the stones it is not!
My clients now prefer and love the fact that I can do so much more with the Thermal Palms then I was able to do with the Hot Stones. It has literally given me a “niche” over the “Hot Stone” therapist.

Think about how amazing it is to use the Thermal Palms on the jaw line, over the ears, down the spine, over the knees, fingers, toes, wrist ext. Sections of the body that you can not even touch with the stones; the Thermal Palms even hold the heat longer than that of a Stone, it has created a very pleasurable massage experience for my clients.

With the Stones you have the hot water, the clanging of the tools, the noise if you drop one on the floor, you also have the inability of soft and pliable; overall providing a hot stone massage can be a distraction. Don’t get me wrong I still use a stone or two here and there but my primary heat source of a working tool has definitely transferred over to the Palms. I just love them. With the Thermal Palms I prepare them in advance, toss them in the insulated bag and tote them in the massage room with me.

Sure there is a bit of set up and clean up involved, but it is really no big deal. When I am done I dump the oatmeal in the trash/compost and toss the wraps in the wash with some linen. Whiz, Bam, Boom!
If you use them correctly you will not burn your hands or your clients.
In order to be the best and to have the knowledge and expertise of your career I certainly recommend that you take a class for every modality that you are going to provide to your clientele. Thermal Palms has been a very good investment for me and it could be for you as well!
Once you get your rhythm down I am sure that they will far exceed your expectations and that of your clients.

[tiger snacks]

I may have to try this thermal palm. I too, cannot stand the clanging on the stones. For a treatment that is more expensive and supposedly more relaxing, there sure is alot of noise.

[JasonE]

All of the footage of thermal palms in action appears to be basic gliding strokes with the heated oatmeal pack. Is there footage of them being used to enhance any other type of work? If not, is that pretty much the limit of how they are used?

What are the contraindications?

[MsAnastasia]

I wonder if you could use a hand held HotShotz and get about the same effect? Here is their website, http://hotshotzheat.com/ .

Thank you for posting this! I have been looking all over for them and couldn't remember what they were called. A therapist I used to work with brought them to work and I loved them, but he was trying to get someone to go in with him to buy a bunch wholesale and I wasn't interested in that at the time and I lost touch with him before getting info on the product.

As far as the thermal palms, it sounds interesting and I loathe doing hot stone sessions because of all the clanging, reheating the stones, set up and clean up. However, I've been wanting to invest in a thai herbal ball treatment set up and equipment for sometime because I really like the idea of being able to further customize the treatment by varying which herbs I use. It would seem to me that I'd have to rotate the herbal balls during the session because of heat loss, I want the material (muslin) to be porous so they could receive the benefit of the herbs and of course would have to discard herbs after each use and launder or discard the muslin cloth.

I do like introducing a few stones into sessions on occasion because I like how firm they are and I can really "dig in" to areas on certain clients who enjoy that. It's easy for me to warm a few smaller stones quickly in a little crock pot, use them for the spot treatment and not worry about having to reheat them.