At first, you may think it’s weird to have warm, flat stones placed on different parts of your body. But these stones are special and made for special purposes. The origins of hot stone treatment can be traced back to more than 2,000 years ago when used heated stones to improve the function of internal organs.
Today, hot stone massage therapy is a specialty massage where the therapist will place smooth, heated stones, on the body or rub them on the body. The heat that comes from the stone will lead to deep relaxation and warming up of the tight muscles that allow the therapist to work more deeply and faster.
How Hot Stone Massage Treatment Works
Massage therapists usually use Basalt river rocks for hot stone massage therapy. These rocks are very smooth and they hold heat well. Your therapist will heat the stones up to 110 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature will not burn your skin.
Your therapist may start the massage therapy with a traditional Swedish massage technique to prepare your muscles. The therapist will then put some warm stones on major acupressure points on your body. These stones will work to relax your muscles, allowing the therapist to apply deeper pressure during your massage.
Your spa therapist will use massage oil and a combination of strokes and techniques to massage your back, neck, legs, and arms, with and without the stones. Make sure you tell your spa therapist if the stones placed on your body are too warm or pressure is too intense. When the stones heat your muscles, your therapist will start the massage.
Five benefits of Hot Stone Massage Treatment
Asides the deep relaxation, hot stone massage therapy also offers many benefits. The benefits include:
- Pain relief
This massage therapy has been associated with symptom relief in people that have conditions such as fibromyalgia and other autoimmune disorders. Studies on fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis have linked moderate massage techniques with reducing pain and improving range of motion.
- Stress relief
Massage is very effective for stress relief. Studies have shown that massage therapy reduces stress and anxiety and improves cardiovascular health.
- Increased joint flexibility
Muscle tension causes difficulty in moving the joints. Hot stone massage will help to relax muscles, which makes it very easy and more comfortable for a person to move. People living with certain joint disorders may benefit from this massage therapy.
- Decreased muscle spasms and tension
A tense muscle can cause discomfort and interfere with daily life. Reducing the inflammation and tension in the skeletal muscles will help ease muscle pain and spasm. Since hot stone massage therapy can promote the relaxation of the muscles and joints in the body to ease both pain and spasms.
- Promotes Better sleep
A lot of people don’t get good sleep. Stress, insomnia, and busy schedules don’t allow them to get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Hot stone massage treatment promotes good sleep in stressed and older people.
Who should consider getting a hot stone massage?
Anyone who has muscle tension and pain, stress, or insomnia, will benefit from a hot stone massage. If you are suffering from a chronic condition that causes pain, check with your doctor first to see if hot stone massage therapy is good for you.
Who Is Not a Candidate for Hot Stone Massage?
Massage is generally safe, although, the National Institute of Health, there have been rare reports of serious side effects including nerve injury, blood clot, or bone fracture. The massage therapy is generally considered safe for everyone, but you have to talk to your doctor if you have a medical condition, such as diabetes, varicose veins, high blood pressure, migraines, heart disease, decreased pain sensitivity, autoimmune disease, tumors, cancer, epilepsy, metal implants, or if you are on medication that thins the blood.
You should also ask your doctor if you have had surgery recently or have wounds.
How Often Should You Get a Hot Stone Massage Treatment?
When you visit a beauty salon Brooklyn to get a hot stone massage therapy, the therapist will let you know that your treatment depends on your needs. For a particular ailment, your therapist may suggest a session every week or every two weeks. Tender muscles and injuries may require more frequent sessions of massage in Brooklyn.
If you enjoy hot stone massage therapy as a form of relaxation, then you can really schedule your sessions at a beauty salon Brooklyn as and when you like. A monthly massage in Brooklyn is great for relieving stress without having to stretch your budget too far. If you go through a lot of stress, you might want to consider more regular sessions if possible. Also, if you are approaching a stressful point in your life, such as a wedding, some extra pampering at a Brooklyn Beauty salon will do you a lot of good.
