Hot Stone Massage
By Free Massage Therapists Listing
Hot Stone Massage is a type of specialty massage where smooth, heated stones are used to help release the tension in muscles. There are many health conditions that can be treated with Hot Stone Massage. Examples of the conditions are muscular aches and pains, back pain, Multiple Sclerosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, stress, anxiety, circulatory problems, insomnia, and depression.
The therapeutic benefits of a hot stone massage have been around for centuries. Ancient cultures and Native Americans used this technique to improve overall mental, spiritual, and physical wellness. Native Americans used hot stones to detoxify and to find harmony and balance. In some European cultures, hot stones or bricks were wrapped in cloth and placed over a person's injury for relief. In China, hot stone therapy was used as early as 1500 BC as a method for relieving muscle aches and tension.
The stones are typically basalt, which is a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat well. The stones will be sanitized and heated in 120-150 degree water prior to the massage. The hardness of the stones allows the masseuse to address specific areas of the body with more detailed work and deeper pressure. Typically, the stones will be laid upon both sides of the spine, or along the chakra centers. Chakra centers are energy centers that represent the flow of energy throughout our bodies. The chakra is not a physical center, but rather more like the aura of the body. The stones are held in the palm of the masseuse's hand and massaged into the muscles with oil, delivering concentrated areas of heat to the desired areas. The stones are used to deliver effective tissue and muscle massage at a level that is comfortable to the client.
Hot Stone massage can alleviate stress, release toxins, relieve pain, improve circulation, and calm the psyche. The warmth of the stones is found to be comforting and relaxing to most clients. People who tend to run cold and have cold hands and feet typically respond well to hot stone massages.
As with any type of massage, the client can request light, medium, or deep pressure. The heat from the stones will relax the muscles, increasing the blood flow to the area being worked on further accelerating the healing process. The increase in circulation and the relaxation of the muscles, can lead to mental relaxation. The stones may be left in specific points upon the body or even between your toes to promote energy flow in the body.
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