Hot Stone Massage
is a specialty massage that
uses smooth, heated stones made of basalt.
The stones are immersed in water and heated in an electric heating
device until they are within a certain temperature range. The stones
are then used in two ways during the massage. One is to impart heat
onto the body by laying stones on top of the client with a layer of
fabric between the client and stone. They are placed at specific
points on the back, in the palms of the hand, between the toes and
along the chakra centers. While these layout stones are delivering
concentrated centers of heat, the therapist is simultaneously
massaging the client with oiled, heated stones held in the palm of
the hand. The massage therapist always holds the stones first before
touching them to your body, which ensures that the temperature will
not be too hot. However, everyone has their own comfort range. Be
sure to speak up if the stones are too hot or not hot enough for
you. You can request light, medium or deep pressure, which is the
beauty of the hot stone massage technique. It can be customized
instantly to the request of the client. The hardness of the stones
makes for a fantastic deep tissue massage.
Benefits of Hot Stone Massage:
- Many people find the warmth of the stones to be comforting. Hot stone massage is suited to people who tend to feel chilly or who have cold feet
- Local increase of metabolism rate: enzymes works quicker at higher temperature
- Local increase of fluid circulation
- Good for arthritis pain
- Increase of tissue elasticity
- Increase rate of oil diffusion into the skin
- Good for chronic problems, stress, and anxiety
- Stretches and elongates muscles and connective tissue
- Good for depression and insomnia