Benefits of A Hot Stone Massage

There are key points on the human body where a massage therapist can place smooth basalt or hardened lava stones to help the body relax and release tension or pain. These rocks have usually been smoothed by water and treated with heat before being placed on the body. They can bring great relief to rigid muscles plagued by continuous dull pain and help to reduce stress and anxiety. As a form of alternative medicine, hot stone treatments are becoming the effective holistic treatment of choice for many devotees to help the body function better.

Muscle Relaxation
The main benefit of using hot stones to relax muscles is that it enables a therapist to more easily perform deep tissue massage. This targets the connective tissue in the body and gets rid of chronic knots that tend to form in the shoulders and back.

Stones are placed on a patient's back, between the toes, or at places on the body that are thought to be energy centers. If the therapist uses massage oils, the heat from the smooth rocks is pushed over muscles to warm them and start the relaxation process. Then the therapist uses his hands to massage the back.

Finally, the heated stones are placed on the back again and left in place for a while. Sometimes, stones are also placed in the palms to relax muscles. If any muscles are inflamed or injured, a therapist may also alternate hot stones with cold stones.

Pain Relief
For many centuries, healers have used hot stones to relieve pain. Health experts believe the stones work well with managing pain because they help the recipient remain calm and and let go of stress. A low-stress state makes it easier to release pain. Additionally, the heat from the stones gives an intensity not present with other kinds of therapy like Swedish massage.

Improved Circulation
Heat also acts as a trigger for opening the blood vessels and improving circulation. A body with good circulation has blood vessels that carry more oxygen to the muscles, helping them to relax. Most people do not realized how constantly tense muscles are tied to chronic fatigue or that a tired body is usually one that has poor circulation. Deep massaging brings more vitality to tissues in the body and keeps blood flowing evenly.

Mental Benefits
Regular stress triggers a set of chemical reactions in the body. Under stress, the body releases two hormones: adrenaline and cortisol. The heartbeat races, blood pressure rises, breathing elevates and the entire body can tend to tense. When a hot stone massage places the body in a relaxed state, all of these chemical responses stop. The mind is in a calmer place. Other triggers a therapist may use enhance this calming effect are soothing music or calming soundscapes like softly chirping birds or running water.


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