Relax With an Hot Stone Massage

Feeling a little tense and need to relax or perhaps you just want to reward yourself? Either way a hot stone massage might be just thing for you!

A hot stone massage is similar to a traditional massage excepted heated flat stones are utilized as well. Stone massage is a Native American technique that was revitalized by Mary Nelson of Tucson, Arizona.

Before you arrive for your session, the massage therapist will heat basalt stones to between 120 and 150 degrees in a water bath. Once the session starts, the stones are applied to various points on your body. However, everybody has differing heat tolerances - if the stones are uncomfortably hot for you be sure to speak up! There will not be any rough spots on the stones since they are river rocks that have been rounded and smoothed over time from the flowing water. As the stones cool, they will be replaced with new, warm rocks.

The heat from the stones relaxes your muscle tissue allowing therapist to work the muscles more deeply. Additionally, stones may be placed at points on your body known to facilitate relaxation or improve your energy flow. Such places are your palms and between your toes. The therapist may also hold a stone and massage you with it instead of his or her hands.

People have reported improvement with certain conditions after receiving a stone massage. These conditions include:

back pain and aches

poor circulation

stress and anxiety

insomnia

depression

muscular pains

Additionally, there is therapeutic value in working with hot and cold simultaneously. Your therapist may elect to also use cool marble stones particularly if you have inflammation in joints or muscles. Unless you have experienced the therapeutic results of this type of massage treatment, you can't fully appreciate the significant differences realized through a hot stone massage over traditional kneading massage techniques.

However, hot stones massages are not for everyone. You should steer clear if you have any infectious skin diseases or a rash or if you have recently had surgery. The massage can dislodge blood clots so check with your doctor if you have had surgery or are pregnant before getting a stone massage.

To maximize the relaxation during your massage, don't eat a heavy meal close to your appointment and give yourself plenty of time to arrive in a timely fashion. Rushing to a massage appointment does not put you in the best mindset to enjoy the session!

Treat yourself to a hot stone massage today. You won't regret it!


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