what is hot stone massage

Do you remember how you felt when your muscles tight, especially after a workout or a stressful day? Many people treat their body in different ways when they feel fatigued or stressed. Do you prefer letting time release the tension or going to the spa? Have you ever heard of hot stone massage? Do you know what is hot stone massage and whats its benefits? This is the issue we will talk about today. You will find clear answers here. The origin and the way of doing hot stone massage can also give you useful information. So, go on and have a different practice with hot stone massage hereinafter.

The hot stone massage is a way of therapy by using flat cold and heated stones on special parts of your body. It has many benefits that if you experience it one time, you will never drop it. Before anything else, let’s see where does it come from.

Hot stone massage has been practiced in many cultures. The present type of stone massage is mostly derived from china. But for the first time, hot stone massage has been used 5000 years ago in India by Hindus. It was called Ayurveda. 2000 years ago Chinese people also used hot stones to improve the function of internal organs like digestion. It is seen to be done in African, American, Egyptian, Indian and European religious ceremonies or as a treatment of ailments. The stones even had a role to ensure health.

Hot stone massage and the cold one have been used in ancient Greece and Roman hot baths and cold pools. Spanish healers used hot stones to period pain. Cold stones were used to make the bleeding slower.

Modern hot stone massage became popular in the western world in 1993. It is combined with Swedish massage and other modern types of massage like tissue massage.

But what causes hot stone massage being performed until now? The major reason is its benefits.

Spa specialist would need some accessories to perform a hot stone massage:

• Flat, smooth, basalt stones: this type of stone gain from river beds and it has iron content which keeps heat.
• Warm water to heat the basalt stones: its degree should be between 120 to 145 Fahrenheit.
• Cold marble stones
• A comfortable bed

And this is the process of performing hot stone massage:

Depending on the symptoms, cold or hot stones will be chosen. Maybe both cold and hot stones are helpful and maybe one type is useful for treatment. In case of using hot stones, the spa therapist warms the stones in the water until their temperature will gain between 120 to 130 degrees.

Hot stone massage may start with a Swedish massage to relax, prepare the body and muscles. Then the massage therapist positions the heated stones on key acupressure parts of the body. The hot stones may be positioned in the stomach, on the palms, on the face, on the chest and along the spine.

If it is necessary, the stones may be covered with oil or put over a sheet. It is performed to easily glide across your skin.

The stones may be left in one place temporarily. This process relaxes and warm the muscles and prepares the body for deeper pressure the spa therapist applies to massage. The massage therapist massages the legs, back, arms and neck with and without stones along with other massage methods like Swedish massage. There are different techniques in a Swedish massage which are used also in hot stone massage; like tapping, circular moves, vibration, rubbing and long strokes.

If needed, the cold stones will be used during or after the hot stone massage. Using cold stones after hot stone massage calms the blood vessels and the skin.

Before preparing to get a hot stone massage, mind these points below:

1. Do not drink alcohol or heavy meal before the massage.
2. The spa center would ask you to complete a health question sheet. Be honest, while writing the answers.
3. Let the therapist take enough time for treatment. The Hot stone massage takes 10 minutes to relax the body.
4. Don’t forget to tell the spa therapist if the stone’s temperature or the pressure is annoying you. He or she can adjust the warmth and measure of pressure.

If you are in following conditions hot stone massage is not recommended:

1. If you had the history of heart disease or high blood pressure
2. If you recently had a surgery and wounds or you have areas of weakened or inflamed skin or radiation
3. In cases like varicose veins, rheumatoid arthritis,
4. If you got metal implants in any part,
5. If you use drugs which thins the blood.
6. Decreased pain sensitivity
7. Recent chemotherapy
8. If you are affected diabetes, migraines and tumors
9. And in case of pregnancy (let the spa therapist know it)

In these serious conditions get a letter from the doctor to confirm that you are allowed to get a hot stone massage.

By these information, we wish you a different practice of hot stone massage. Enjoy the relaxing hot stones!