Hot Stone Massage
A hot stone massage is a form of massage therapy involving the use and also placing of hot stones at key points on the body to induce deep relaxation and healing. It can often be more effective that traditional massage techniques due to the introduction of heat to the massage.
The technique dates back thousands of years with it's origins in Australia and China, where heated stones were used to alleviate pain and tension from the body. The stones used are black volcanic rocks (basalt). They range from small stones that can be used on the face and between the toes and fingers, to medium stones for massaging tight muscles in the back, shoulders, neck, arms and legs and for heating the spine, to the large sacral stone that sits on the tailbone for deep heat penetration into the pelvic area.
The heat helps to loosen up muscles to ensure a deeper penetration of sore and inflamed muscle tissue.
The technique dates back thousands of years with it's origins in Australia and China, where heated stones were used to alleviate pain and tension from the body. The stones used are black volcanic rocks (basalt). They range from small stones that can be used on the face and between the toes and fingers, to medium stones for massaging tight muscles in the back, shoulders, neck, arms and legs and for heating the spine, to the large sacral stone that sits on the tailbone for deep heat penetration into the pelvic area.
The heat helps to loosen up muscles to ensure a deeper penetration of sore and inflamed muscle tissue.
There are many benefits of hot stone massage, including the following:
- Relief from muscle tension
- Relief from stress and anxiety
- Lowered risk of cancer
- Boosted immune system
- Improved sleep
- Boosted circulation
- Better mental health
Muscle Tension
By increasing circulation and oxygenation of muscles, this massage technique will allow your muscles to relax, relieving the tension that has built up and lessening the risk of injury.
Stress and Anxiety
If you suffer from chronically high levels of stress hormones, the soothing nature of these specialty massages can balance the metabolism and calm the mind, helping to shed your stress and worry.
Sleep
Many people struggle to find restful sleep because of tension and discomfort; a massage can leave your muscles relaxed and your mind clear, leading to undisturbed and rejuvenating your sleep at night.
Autoimmune Diseases
There are some chronic diseases that can be remedied with regular hot stone massages, especially those linked to the nervous and muscular system, such as fibromyalgia and arthritis.
Cancer Symptoms
The pain associated with cancer can often be unbearable, and difficult to eliminate, even with medication. Hot stone massages can relieve pain and anxiety, making the recovery process more tolerable.
Immunity
By decreasing the arginine-vasopressin levels, which is a blood pressure and water retention regulating hormone in the body, this massage also helps in improving the immune system health.
Circulation
The heat from the stones causes your heart rate to rising and your blood vessels to dilate, thereby promoting the blood flow. This also means better oxygenation to your various organ systems and more resources being delivered to those parts of the body that need them most.
Mental Health
Massage can be very soothing for the mental health of a person as it helps in reducing stress. It also helps in treating anxiety, depression, and induces a feeling of relaxation, both in the mind and the body.
By increasing circulation and oxygenation of muscles, this massage technique will allow your muscles to relax, relieving the tension that has built up and lessening the risk of injury.
Stress and Anxiety
If you suffer from chronically high levels of stress hormones, the soothing nature of these specialty massages can balance the metabolism and calm the mind, helping to shed your stress and worry.
Sleep
Many people struggle to find restful sleep because of tension and discomfort; a massage can leave your muscles relaxed and your mind clear, leading to undisturbed and rejuvenating your sleep at night.
Autoimmune Diseases
There are some chronic diseases that can be remedied with regular hot stone massages, especially those linked to the nervous and muscular system, such as fibromyalgia and arthritis.
Cancer Symptoms
The pain associated with cancer can often be unbearable, and difficult to eliminate, even with medication. Hot stone massages can relieve pain and anxiety, making the recovery process more tolerable.
Immunity
By decreasing the arginine-vasopressin levels, which is a blood pressure and water retention regulating hormone in the body, this massage also helps in improving the immune system health.
Circulation
The heat from the stones causes your heart rate to rising and your blood vessels to dilate, thereby promoting the blood flow. This also means better oxygenation to your various organ systems and more resources being delivered to those parts of the body that need them most.
Mental Health
Massage can be very soothing for the mental health of a person as it helps in reducing stress. It also helps in treating anxiety, depression, and induces a feeling of relaxation, both in the mind and the body.
Important Information
- Skin discomfort: Pressure and temperature sensitivities are different for every person, so there may be an adjustment period to the massage, and it can be uncomfortable. Hot stones can also burn the skin, so be sure to communicate with your therapist.
- Other: Due to the effects of this massage, some people are warned not to undergo it, such as those with cancerous tumors, diabetes, blood clots, internal bleeding, pregnancy, and certain heart conditions.