Everything You Wanted to Know About Hot Stone Massage!
First, a brief History of Hot
Stones
Mother Earth's gift of volcanic
stones have been used by many different cultures for thousands of years.
Basalt is an igneous rock produced under conditions of intense heat and
solidified from molten lava.
In ancient times many healers used
rocks from the river beds and warmed them on hot coals or in hot water and then
placed the hot stones, wrapped in cloth, along the energy centre's of the
body. This would help to relax the muscles and reduce pain or discomfort,
initiating a deep healing process.
Native American women would use the
warm stones in the same way that we use hot water bottles. These precious
stones are revered and are highly respected by Hawaiian people. Hot Stone
Therapy was brought into modern day by Mary Nelson a Massage Therapist form Tuscon, Arizona
in the mid nineties and is widely used around the world today.
Hot Stone Massage Therapy is both
a massage and a therapy in one treatment using Hot Basalt Stones and if
required Cold Marble Stones. This treatment works on four levels gently
rebalancing all the body's systems, relaxing, calming and soothing leaving you
totally re-balanced and energized. A deeply warming, soothing therapy, using smooth Hot
Stones this treatment can be used therapeutically or purely for
relaxation. The heat from the basalt stones deeply penetrate
the muscular structures, soothing and releasing tension and toxins, warming and
sedating the body's systems. White marble
stones may be used if you have an injury or your system need a
boost. With their unique cooling temperatures, they are a natural
balance to the hot stones and can reduce pain and inflammation effectively.
What are the benefits of Hot
Stone Massage Therapy?
· It is both a massage and a therapy, relaxing,
nurturing, deeply soothing
· It stimulates and rebalances all of the body's systems
· Hot Stones encourage deep and effective breathing
· Hot Stones stimulate and rebalance the digestive system
and the elimination system
· Reduces fatigue and increases energy levels
·
Heat helps to
calm the nervous system reducing the symptoms of stress and tension
· Basalt is an igneous rock and can dissipate anger
· The heat from the stones relaxes and penetrates the deeper
soft tissues and muscular structures; relieving pain in tight, sore, aching
muscles
· Hot stones work on 4 levels, rebalancing
you physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually
· Lowers high blood pressure
· Improves circulation and lymphatic drainage boosting
immunity
· You can increase the therapeutic benefits of Hot Stone
therapy with Cold stones
· Clients who prefer a lighter, gentle massage with the
added benefits of heat can experience Hot Stone massage
·
Hot stone
massage therapy can produce a deeper
and more intense massage, equivalent
to 2-3 manual massage treatments
What does Hot Stone Massage
Therapy involve?
Hot Stone therapy is unique
and uses smooth basalt stones heated to between 45-60 degrees in a special
heater. The stones are both laid on the body and are also used with oils as vital massage tools producing
a deeply penetrating pressure and heat.
The basalt stones are revered for
their naturally holistic properties which work on many levels; stimulating, yet calming
the body's systems simultaneously, whilst working on the mental, emotional and spiritual
levels.
In certain cases cold stones may
also be used to help with muscular injuries, to reduce inflammation
or tone muscles which can be helpful when losing weight. The
application of cold stones stimulates the nervous system causing the blood
vessels to contract and increases lymph flow which helps to remove toxins,
whilst giving your immune system a welcome boost.
What are the benefits
of Cold Stones?
· Cold marble stones can be used for injuries
· They are particularly good for the immune
system offering it a welcome boost
· Chilled marble stones are powerful and assist in
decongesting and pushing fluid and wastes from overworked, inflamed,
tense muscular tissues which interrupt the pain- spasm-pain cycle
· After working with the heated stones, the chilled marbles
stones move fluids effectively within the body. This is therapeutic and
healing due to the alternate constriction and dilation of the blood vessels
· In massage, cold marble stones do not desensitise the
skin, as ice can
· Cold challenges the body, toning and strengthening
many of the body's systems an excellent treatment to boost your immunity and
tone muscles
Feel deeply relaxed, refreshed and
ready to face the world
Hot Stone Massage is
a treatment that you truly deserve!!
