Hot Stone Massage
A sure-fire way to release tension in your muscles while relaxing is to book a hot stone massage.
A kind of massage therapy that combines regular massage techniques and heat, hot stone massage is the go-to for relieving stress and anxiety and feeling rejuvenated.
It is an ancient practice dating back thousands of years to India and China. People have been using hot stone massages over the centuries to improve their health and wellbeing, and it continues to be relevant today.
What Happens During A Hot Stone Massage
Before you go for a hot stone massage, you need to make sure your stomach isn’t full and that you’re properly hydrated.
People with the following conditions should not opt for a stone massage:
- Pregnancy
- Heart Disease
- Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
- Epilepsy
- Active Infection
- Clotting Issues
- Skin Inflammation or Damage
At your appointment, the massage therapist will ask your medical history before beginning the session.
The massage therapist first heats stones to between 110°F and 130°F. A stone heater is used to ensure optimal temperature.
The stones are smooth and flat and made of a volcanic rock known as basalt, which is ideal because it retains heat.
Then the therapist places the hot stones on different areas of the body, commonly focusing on:
- the back
- the stomach
- the face
- the hands
- the feet
The stones may be held in place by the therapist or left on the body for a while.
The heat from the stones takes a while to reach the deeper layer of muscle, providing gentle and soothing pressure. Sometimes the therapist will also glide the stones along the body to ensure even heating.
After the stones are removed, the therapist uses Swedish massage techniques to further relax the muscles. It is important that you inform your therapist if the temperature of the stones is uncomfortably hot, as stone massage therapy isn’t supposed to cause discomfort or pain.
Benefits of Hot Stone Massage Therapy
The term, of French origin, translates to ‘to lightly touch’. It involves a set of long, gliding or circular stroking movements of varying pressure.
- Pain Relief: particularly helpful for people with autoimmune conditions or chronic pain and/or fatigue
- Stress Reduction: the soothing effect of the hot stones improves cardiovascular responses which allows both mind and body to relax.
- Increased joint flexibility: the weight and heat if the stones relieves tension in the joints causing increased mobility.
- Improved circulation:the heated stones dilate blood vessels, leading to improved blood circulation.
- Improved quality of sleep:hot stone therapy can help those with insomnia and restless sleep by reducing the overall tension in the body
Petrissage
This is also a French term derived from the word pétrir which means ‘to knead’.
Petrissage is a massage therapy technique that involves the therapist physically compressing the soft tissues through rhythmic kneading, squeezing, and/or rolling.
These movements help stretch the tense muscles.
● Lifting: The therapist performs lifting using the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
● Kneading: During this the therapist lifts the soft tissues, then squeezes and rolls them back slowly and circularly to reach deeper muscle layers.
● Wringing: During this the therapist will first press the soft tissue layer to the
structure beneath it and then lift, squeeze and roll.
Friction
This technique helps soften and realign tense muscles and joints. The massage therapist uses fingers or both thumbs to apply compression in a circular or perpendicular fashion generating heat which promotes circulation.
Vibration
During vibration the therapist will rhythmically shake the area using either both palms or fingers. It helps the body loosen and release tension.
Tapotement
Another French term, tapotement roughly translates to ‘to tap or to drum’. It involves the therapist applying rhythmic taps across the client’s body, which help the circulation of blood and endorphins. Tapping can be performed using a closed fist, edges or palms of the hands, fingertips, or a cupped hand.