Hot stone massage helps to reduce tension, ease muscle stiffness, and increase metabolism and circulation. When hot stones combined with massage, they also help in the expansion of blood vessels, which promote blood flow throughout the body.
What happens during a hot stone massage?
A hot stone massage is a form of massage therapy. It is used to help you relax muscles and reduce tension throughout your body.
During the hot stone massage, smooth, flat, hot stones are placed on certain parts of your body. The stones use in massage are usually made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock that retains heat.
Stones can be placed:
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with your spine
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on your stomach
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on your chest
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on your face
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on the palms of your hands
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on your feet and toes
During massage, the therapists can hold hot stones as they massage your body using Swedish massage techniques such as:
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Long strokes
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circular movements
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vibration
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by tapping
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kneading
Sometimes, cold stones are also used during massage with hot stones. Cold stones can be used after hot stones to soften any implanted blood vessels and soften the skin.
What to Expect During a Hot Stone Massage?
The hot stone massage is a type of massage therapy that involves smooth, warm stones. A massage therapist places hot stones on specific areas of your body and can hold the stones while giving a massage.
The heat of the stone surface warms and relaxes the muscles, allowing the massage therapist to apply pressure to those areas without causing discomfort.
Basics of Hot Stone Massage
A hallmark of massage is the use of hot stones. Basalt river stones are commonly used because they are smooth and retain heat well.
In preparation for treatment, the massage therapist burns stones at a professional stone temperature until they are constant, usually between 110 and 130 F.
While during massage, therapists often use anatomy to guide the placement of stones, some massage therapists will also place stones at points that balance the mind and physical strength.
Swedish remedies are often used during massage, which can include long strokes and kneading and rolls.
Summary: As with all body massage techniques, hot stone massage is a way to relieve fatigue and relax your body. The hot stones used in the body â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– â– deeply and the stones used by the therapist make it easy to apply therapeutic effects.
Is It Painful to get a hot stone massage?
Hot stones are smooth and are usually several inches long. The stones should be heated using an electric stone heater to control the temperature.
If the stones are very hot or uncomfortable, be sure to inform the massage therapist immediately. Extremely hot stones can cause burns.
The heat of the stones allows the therapist to work on the deeper muscles if needed. However, as with any massage, massage therapy should not be harmful, and you should tell your massage therapist if you are in pain.
Who Shouldn’t Get a Hot Stone Massage?
Massage is usually safe, although according to the National Institutes of Health, there have been rare reports of severe side effects, such as bleeding, nerve damage, or fractures.
While hot stone massage is usually considered benificial when performed by a professional and licensed therapist, it is not suitable for everyone. Children and pregnant women should avoid massages with hot stones.
Contact your doctor if you have a health condition, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, varicose veins, migraines, autoimmune disease, low back pain, cancer, autoimmune disease, epilepsy, tumors, or iron implants, or using medication that reduces blood pressure.
Also, check with your doctor if you have had surgery recently or have recent wounds or areas of weak or inflamed skin.
Risk Factors of Hot Stone Massage
Some people should not have a massage, and significantly, a hot stone massage.
For massage, some contraindications, or features that imply that a person should not have any particular treatment, are listed below.
Breaks in the skin
Anyone with an injury or breakdown in the skin should avoid being massaged with hot stones until the injury has healed.
Recent or severe injuries, scrapes or cuts, sunburn, or varicose veins increase the risk of further tissue injury or damage. They also increase the risk of infection being transmitted by bacteria from ointments or stones.
Infection or illness
This may sound normal, but anyone with a cold, flu, or fever should avoid massage until they feel better.
A person with a fever can spread germs and they will also have difficulty controlling their body temperature. This will make them feel more uncomfortable when hot stones are put on their skin.
Heart disease
Heart disease can cause inflammation or other problems in the arteries or veins of the legs, both of which can be adversely affected by massage.
A person should always tell the massage therapist about any issues related to health, they have to be aware of the potential risks.
Diabetes
Diabetes affects the nerves and blood vessels in the fingers and toes. People with diabetes can lose sensation in their hands and feet, making them unable to hear in case of injury, such as burns.
They may not tell if a massage therapist is using too much pressure or if hot stones are burning their skin when it comes to massage.
Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Drugs and alcohol are not compatible with a massage. Both interfere with the ability to answer when needed, affecting one’s judgment and self-control over their impulses.
In addition, having a massage may leave a person feeling wobbly or light-headed. Drinking alcohol will worsen and compound these feelings.
Pregnancy
Prenatal massage can be very relaxing for many women during their pregnancy. However, some doctors feel uncomfortable using hot stones on a pregnant woman.
Summary: Hot stone massage is not recommended for anyone with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, varicose veins, migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, pain relief, recent wounds, areas of weak or swollen skin, tissue, iron implants, recent chemotherapy, radiation or surgery.
Getting the most from hot stone massage
While hot stone massage is safe and effective, some techniques will make it a better experience.
According to local and state policies, people should make sure they go to a reputable spa where doctors are trained and licensed. The spa should use good hygiene and clean the stones accordingly.
People must talk to a massage therapist. Consumers need to let them know if the pressure is too heavy, or too soft, or if the stones are too hot.
The massage therapist wants to provide the best massage, and they rely on their clients to let them know if there is anything they can do to make that better. Physicians will not be insulted if they are told that something is wrong.
If in doubt, one should ask their doctor about any medical conditions that may interfere with massage, especially hot stone massage.
To get the best out of a massage with hot stones, it is essential that people open with their massage therapist.
A massage therapist should be aware of any health conditions a client may have that could affect performing the massage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Following is mentioned some frequently asked questions related to hot stone massage.
1. Is Hot stone massage better than deep tissue?
Clients use deep tissue massage to treat chronic pain and limited range of motion; improve posture, balance, and mobility; and help players train. The hot stone massage is used for the same reasons when using a heating pad to relieve your muscle tension through heat.
2. What kinds of stones are used for hot stone massage?
Hot stone therapists use basalt stones, but other hollow and metamorphic rocks can be used, as both are rich in iron ore, allowing them to process and retain heat. Other stone methods that should be used for massage include a smooth surface and a flat shape.
3. How do hot stones relax muscles?
The heat from any source increases blood flow to the muscles and helps connective tissues become more flexible. Both processes facilitate muscle relaxation and are suitable for massage.
4. Does a hot stone massage release toxins?
By hot stone massage, energy flow known as qi or chi is encouraged, and in this way, the effects of stress are eliminated, and treatment is simplified. Hot stone massage also helps to remove toxins, relieve pain, and improve blood circulation.
5. Are there any proven medical benefits of hot stone massage?
Except for one study that found hot stone massage to improve the sleep quality of people undergoing dialysis, only a few studies focused on this practice. However, moderately compressed relaxation has generally been found to offer many potential benefits, such as relief from arthritis pain; low-back, neck, and shoulder pain; knee osteoarthritis; cancer pain and anxiety; and depression.
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