Nothing feels more comforting and rejuvenating than a warm, relaxing massage on a cold winter day. With hot stone therapy, not only you feel rejuvenated but also let your body decompress.
The process involves placing hot stones on certain points on your body and massaging while the stones release their heat. Therapists also tend to rub the stones while applying slight pressure for more effective results. Traditionally, the Swedish massage technique is used for hot stone therapy, which includes long, deep strokes, kneading, and rolling of the muscles.
In case you are wondering if hot stones could be discomforting, then fret not. The stones come from basaltic rocks, which are smooth and are heated on steam. They are applied once you are comfortable with the intensity of the heat.
Benefits of hot stone massage
In winter, muscles tend to tighten and cramp, which can be eased out with the help of hot stone massages.
The localized heat and weight of the stone stimulate the muscles and boost blood circulation, thus easing the tension and removing stress from high-tension areas like the neck, upper and lower back, hips, and joints.
Hot stone therapy is an age-old Swedish tradition, which is said to benefit conditions like anxiety, back pain, depression, and insomnia.
The hot stones are smooth and typically several inches long. The stones should be warmed using a professional electric massage stone heater so that the temperature can be controlled.
Before you get a massage…
Always opt for a therapist trained professionally in the hot stone massage.
Don’t eat two hours before your massage.
Stay hydrated before and after your massage.
Talk to your therapist about your comfort level and heat/pressure tolerance.
A massage is not just an indulgence but a treatment that can revive your mind, body, and energies. With the right therapist and the right kind of therapy, you can awaken yourself inside out! At Orane Beauty Institute, trainees who undergo a Certificate Course in Stone Therapy learn details of health and safety, how to provide stone therapy massage, first aid, etc, to become thorough stone therapists.
