Hot stone massage therapy melts away tension, eases muscle stiffness and increases circulation and metabolism. Each 1 ½ -hour hot stone massage therapy session promotes deeper muscle relaxation through the placement of smooth, water-heated stones at key points on the body.
A common question people have is whether to get hot stone massage vs Swedish massage or a regular massage. Some people find the warmth of the hot stones to be comforting and get this type of massage for relaxation.
Hot stone massage is suited to people who tend to feel chilly or who have cold feet. It’s also suited for people who have muscle tension but prefer a lighter massage. The heat relaxes muscles, allowing the therapist to work the muscles without using deep pressure
People also get hot stone massage for a variety of health conditions: Back pain and aches, Poor circulation, Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Stress, Anxiety and tension, Insomnia, Depression.
How Do the Stones Feel?
The hot stones are never rough. They are always flat and smooth. The hot stones used on the back are about the size of a large egg, only flat.
The stones are heated in an electrical heater that either provides a temperature reading or has an adjustable thermostat control.
The massage therapist always holds the stones first before touching them to your body, which ensures that the temperature will not be too hot. Everyone, however, has their own comfort range. Be sure to speak up if the stones are too hot for you.
Cool marble stones are occasionally used during a treatment, particularly if there is inflammation.
What Can I Expect During my Hot Stone Massage?
The massage therapist often begins by applying oil to the body, which allows the hot stones to glide smoothly along the muscles. You are lying face down, and the massage therapist often then uses the hot stones to massage the back.
After the hot stones have relaxed the muscles, the massage therapist may put down the stones and use his or her hands to directly massage the skin.
The hot stones may then be placed back on to the body and left for a short period of time.
You are then asked to turn over onto your back. The massage therapist may place small hot stones between your toes or in the palm of your hand and repeats the sequence.
Massage is not recommended for certain people:
⦁ People with infectious skin disease, rash, neuropathy, or open wounds
⦁ Immediately after surgery
⦁ Immediately after chemotherapy or radiation, unless recommended by your doctor
⦁ People prone to blood clots. There is a risk of blood clots being dislodged. If you have heart disease, diabetes, or circulatory conditions, check with your doctor before having a massage.
⦁ Pregnant women should check with their doctor first if they are considering getting a massage during pregnancy. A full body hot stone massage or placement of hot stones over the abdomen is not recommended during pregnancy, however a massage therapist trained in prenatal massage may be able to do a spot treatment for certain areas of muscle tension. In pregnancy, the core body temperature should not be raised during treatment. Women with high risk pregnancy should avoid hot stone massage.
⦁ People with rheumatoid arthritis should avoid hot stone massage, because the heat of the stones may trigger a flare-up.
⦁ Massage should not be done directly over bruises, inflamed skin, unhealed wounds, tumors, abdominal hernia, or areas of recent fractures.
If you are considering getting a massage, talk with your doctor
Hot stone therapy and massage is fast becoming popular around the globe specifically at spas and other wellness related industry. Unknown to many though, it is an ancient practice performed by many cultures as early as thousand years ago. It is believed that stones do wonders to realign us with nature and help balance our physical and spiritual lives. Stones are also known to be very useful for divination, healing and protection since the beginning of time.
Some recorded ancient uses of stone by other cultures are as follows:
Arabs
The Arabs used stone as contraceptive for their camels by placing it in the camel’s womb; preventing pregnancy and therefore allowing camels endure long distance travel.
Japanese
The Japanese wore warm stones around their stomach to warm their abdomens to aid digestions.
Native American Indians
Native American Indians used stones for menstrual pain treatment by placing one warmed stone on the stomach and another one at the fee of the patient.
Chinese
The Chinese used hot stones to relieve muscular pain.
Romans
A Roman bath is said to involve bathing in hot water before cooling off by lying on cold stone slabs. Making it the perfect example of an ancient day practice of stone therapy wherein hot and cold stone are use alternately.
Hot stone therapy and massage uses heated basalt rocks and cooled marble stones which are either laid or massage to the different parts of the body – along the energy centres also known as our chakra centres.
A hot stone relaxes the muscles as well as eliminating muscle pain and discomfort.
Marble stones on the other hand are found at the bottom of ancient oceans and are known to cleanse the body and promote healing. Cold stones cause the blood vessels to contract, thereby stimulating the nervous system and increase the flow of waste materials throughout the body. It is the alternate use of hot and cold stones encourage healing.
Different stones serve different purposes. Chakra stones are used to balance the chakra. Some are used for massage and layouts, and others are used as palm rests.
Chakra Theory
The core concept of Chakra is that every individual is consists of spiritual body separate from the physical, non-etheric body. The spiritual body is made up of vibrations of light; each representing different energy centres known as:
⦁ Base or root chakra
• Navel or sacral chakra
• Solar plexus
• Heart chakra
• Throat chakra
• Brow chakra
• Crown chakra
Each of these energy centre acts as pumps or valves that regulates the flow of energy throughout our physical systems. When our charkas are aligned and balanced, it produces a positive energy. When they are out of balance it produces a negative state which creates unwanted results. Hot stone therapy and massage helps balance and cleanse our chakras.
Price: 1 1/2 hr £45
Call us now to book your treatment consultation Stockport – 07703567093 or Contact us
