Tag: benefits of hot stone massage

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Ready to get stoned?

Dude! I’m not talking about getting high. The stoned I’m referring to is the usage of hot stones in massage therapy. No doubt you’ve enjoyed having me use hot stones during your massage, but have you ever wondered why I use them?

They’re Hot! Hot! Hot!

During a hot stone massage, smooth, flat, heated stones are placed on specific parts of your body. The stones are usually made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock that retains heat. According to the American Massage Therapy Association, hot massage stones are heated in water heated to between 110 and 130 degrees.

Four benefits to a hot stone massage

  1. Helps relieve muscle tension and pain. Heat is often used to ease muscle tension and pain as it increases blood flow to the affected area. Heat reduces muscle spasms, increases flexibility, and range of motion.
  2. Reduces stress and anxiety. It’s the position of the American Massage Therapy Association that “massage therapy can be effective for stress relief.” Research supports their opinion.
  3. May help relieve symptoms of autoimmune diseases. Hot stone massage may relieve painful conditions such as fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.
  4. Boosts immunity. Massage gives your immune system a boost. According to a 2010 study, a single session of Swedish massage therapy had a positive and acute impact on immunity. Blood samples taken before and after the massage showed a decrease in a hormone that helps regulate blood pressure and water retention.

If you’re experiencing muscle tension and pain, insomnia, or stress, you may benefit from a hot stone massage. If you have a chronic condition that causes pain, talk to your doctor to see if a hot stone massage is a good option for you. Either way, book your next massage today!

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3 Reasons You May Need a Hot Stone Massage

Do you love the results of a deep tissue massage but find the pressure to be a little too much for you? Good news! A hot stone massage uses techniques similar to Swedish massage (long strokes, kneading, and rolling) but allows the therapist to penetrate deep tissues by using the heat from stones rather than by additional pressure. Even better news, it has wonderful benefits for your whole body, mind, and spirit.  

Before we get into the benefits, let me explain how the process works, in case you are not at all familiar with this type of massage.

It is important to note that the stones used in this type of massage cannot be any old rock you find in your driveway or along the hiking trail. Basalt rocks, or volcanic rocks, are used for this type of massage because they have a high iron content, which allows them to retain heat well. The stones have been smoothed by riverbeds or seawater and are generally dark gray or black in color.

How it works:
Step One: Therapists warm stones either in water or in a professional warmer to ensure stones are at the proper heat level.

Step Two: Once heated, the stones will be placed on different parts of your body. As with any massage, placement varies depending on the desired outcome of the massage. Most often, though, the stones are placed on your back, abdomen, face, palms, and chest.

Step Three: The therapist will usually let the stones rest on your body for a short time to allow the heat to begin penetrating your skin. As the stones are working their magic, the therapist will start to warm up other places of your body like your arms and legs. Using their knowledge of anatomy, the therapist will guide the stones over your body with the aid of essential oils.

Now that you understand how the massage works, let’s briefly explore three reasons you may need a hot stone massage.

1. Relieves Pain
Hot stone massage is a wonderful treatment for people who suffer from diseases linked to the nervous or muscular system. People with autoimmune disorders like fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis have reported that hot stone massages lessens their pain and improves their range of motion.

2. Decreases Muscle Tension
Therapists place stones on specific trigger points of the body. This technique penetrates the body’s tissue, allowing blood vessels to open and improve circulation. The increase in blood flow will help reduce inflammation, which causes uncomfortable and even painful tension in muscles.

3. Helps to Alleviate Chronic Stress and Anxiety
We all experience stress and while some stress is healthy, chronic stress can negatively impact your health resulting in a variety of health issues like cardiovascular events, overeating, insomnia, and anxiety. Hot stone massages will calm the mind while also increasing circulation and stimulating your metabolism.

For questions or to learn more about the benefits of hot stone massages, contact us!