A hot stone massage is a type of massage therapy. It’s used to help you relax and ease tense muscles and damaged soft tissues throughout your body.
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 University of New Hampshire Health Services, hot massage stones are heated to between 130 and 145 degrees.
The stones may be placed:
- along your spine
- on your stomach
- on your chest
- on your face
- on your palms
- on your feet and toes
Massage therapists may hold heated stones as they massage your body using Swedish massage techniques such as:
- long strokes
- circular movements
- vibration
- tapping
- kneading
Sometimes, cold stones are also used during a hot stone massage. Cold stones may be used after hot stones to calm any engorged blood vessels and to soothe the skin.
HELPS RELIEVE MUSCLE TENSION AND PAIN
Hot stone massage can relieve pain and tension in your muscles due to the combination of massage therapy and heat. Heat is often recommended as a way to treat achy muscles. Applying heat to an area of the body helps increase blood flow to that spot, which improves healing. Using heat on muscle knots before massaging the area can make those knots easier to soothe.
REDUCES Inflammation
Inflammation happens when your body activates your immune system for tasks like attacking bacteria or healing damaged tissue. Sometimes, your body sends out these cells when it doesn’t need to, which can lead to chronic inflammation and autoimmune conditions. Both heat and massage can help manage inflammation.
Improves Flexibility
Stiff joints and muscles limit your flexibility and make it hard to move. Heat and massage help loosen and relax these muscles, which can reduce pain and make it easier to move.
Improves Circulation
Both heat and massage improve blood flow and increase circulation. This reduces pain and inflammation and promotes healing.
REDUCES STRESS AND ANXIETY
Both heat and massage help you relax, but massage takes it a step further. Pressure, like from a massage or a good hug, releases endorphins, which relax muscles, help you manage pain, and put you in a better mood.
Boosts YOur Immune System
Stress can lower your body’s ability to fight disease. The stress relief that massage therapy and heat offer can lower stress, letting your body build up your immune system again.
Improves Sleep
Whether it’s the stress relief, the pain relief, or the endorphins, studies have shown that hot stone massage can improve sleep quality.
Who Can Benefit From a Hot Stone Massage?
- Anxiety
- Autoimmune diseases (may need special considerations based on the disease)
- Chronic headaches
- Depression
- Digestive problems
- Exercise-related injuries
- Fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- Insomnia
- Lymphedema
- Low back pain
- Muscle spasms
- Multiple sclerosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Post-surgery pain (massages should not be done within six weeks after surgery unless okayed by a doctor)
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Sciatica
- Sports injuries
SCHEDULE YOUR MASSAGE TODAY
Whether you are an athlete, suffering from arthritis, or are pregnant, there are benefits to deep tissue massage therapy that can help you.
To learn more about the benefits of massage and other techniques to reduce pain and inflammation please contact us today to book your first appointment and get on the road to wellness.