Body Massage
Hot Stone Massage
Hot stone massage by using water-heated stones to heat and massage one's body is becoming increasingly popular in the last number of years. This use of warmed water to treat the entire body, called thermal hydrotherapy, deeply relaxes parts of your muscles and relieves stress.
Most massage therapists use basalt stones, as they are non-porous and smooth and retain heat longer than other types of stones. These beautiful stones come in various sizes. The massage therapist positions larger placement stones in one spot on your body with an extended time, while using the smaller tooling stones to complete specific massage strokes.
The strokes are often slow and gentle, in a manner that many people find grounding, comforting, and calming. Some massage therapists use hot stones for energy work by placing them across the body's meridians (energy lines) or about the chakras (energy points). Placing the stones at these tips can stimulate movement from the energy referred to as qi or chi and help release the consequences of stress and facilitate healing.
Other potential great things about hot stone massage include the discharge of toxins, pain relief, and improved circulation. The combined healing properties of massage and heat bring many clients that have a hot stone massage gift certificates once back to get more.
While using Stones
To heat the stones, the massage therapist utilizes a professionally designed heater which has a thermometer for checking water temperature. Water temperatures are typically between 110 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Because all people have different sensitivity to heat, it is vital for your therapist to be sure the temperature of the stones is suitable for you. Notify your therapist know if the stones feel too hot.
When working with placement stones, the therapist will put a barrier, like a flannel sheet or terry cloth towel, together along with your skin to prevent the risk of a burn.
To keep up and clean the stones, therapists use different techniques. Some wash the stones and change the water after every client. Others make use of a spa oxidizer that reduces bacteria in the warm water, keeping the stones sanitized for hours on end. Then at the end during the day, the therapist empties the heating unit and washes and sanitizes every one of the equipment.
Cold Stone Massage and Contrast Therapy
In addition to hot stones, some massage therapists use cold stones. These marble stones are hand cut for use in cold stone therapy, and that is especially useful for injury and inflammation. Cold stones could also invigorate the entire body or possess a cooling effect on hot days or menopausal flashes.
One more choice is alternating cold and hot stones, a method called contrast treatment. Contrast therapy takes benefit of the advantages of both heat and cold. The contrasting temperatures expand and constrict the arteries, stimulating the flow of blood and lymphatic drainage.
Cautions and Contraindications
To ensure that hot stone massage is safe for you personally, always inform your massage therapist about all of your medical conditions and everything else affecting your body. If you are pregnant, have high blood pressure levels, heart disease, diabetes or are under a healthcare provider's take care of a serious medical condition, talk to your provider before receiving a hot stone massage.
Heat can worsen some skin complaints, including eczema, rashes, and psoriasis. Avoid heat in case you are taking medication that causes skin hypersensitivity (for example antibiotics or Accutane for acne). Watch out for any area that is numb. Avoid heat on varicose veins, open wounds, infected skin problems, or inflammation.
Generally speaking, avoid cold stones should you have hypertension, heart problems, circulatory problems, reduced sensation, or nerve damage. Also, avoid cold stones on your abdomen for those who have abdominal distress (discomfort, pain, bloating, gas, cramping, constipation, or diarrhea). However, warm stones moved in a circular, clockwise direction might help relieve these symptoms.
Enjoy Your Massage!
If you are be aware of important things about hot stone massage and understand whether it is safe to receive one, call your local massage therapist and relish the relaxing and healing effects of the penetrating heat of a hot stone massage.
Most massage therapists use basalt stones, as they are non-porous and smooth and retain heat longer than other types of stones. These beautiful stones come in various sizes. The massage therapist positions larger placement stones in one spot on your body with an extended time, while using the smaller tooling stones to complete specific massage strokes.
The strokes are often slow and gentle, in a manner that many people find grounding, comforting, and calming. Some massage therapists use hot stones for energy work by placing them across the body's meridians (energy lines) or about the chakras (energy points). Placing the stones at these tips can stimulate movement from the energy referred to as qi or chi and help release the consequences of stress and facilitate healing.
Other potential great things about hot stone massage include the discharge of toxins, pain relief, and improved circulation. The combined healing properties of massage and heat bring many clients that have a hot stone massage gift certificates once back to get more.
While using Stones
To heat the stones, the massage therapist utilizes a professionally designed heater which has a thermometer for checking water temperature. Water temperatures are typically between 110 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Because all people have different sensitivity to heat, it is vital for your therapist to be sure the temperature of the stones is suitable for you. Notify your therapist know if the stones feel too hot.
When working with placement stones, the therapist will put a barrier, like a flannel sheet or terry cloth towel, together along with your skin to prevent the risk of a burn.
To keep up and clean the stones, therapists use different techniques. Some wash the stones and change the water after every client. Others make use of a spa oxidizer that reduces bacteria in the warm water, keeping the stones sanitized for hours on end. Then at the end during the day, the therapist empties the heating unit and washes and sanitizes every one of the equipment.
Cold Stone Massage and Contrast Therapy
In addition to hot stones, some massage therapists use cold stones. These marble stones are hand cut for use in cold stone therapy, and that is especially useful for injury and inflammation. Cold stones could also invigorate the entire body or possess a cooling effect on hot days or menopausal flashes.
One more choice is alternating cold and hot stones, a method called contrast treatment. Contrast therapy takes benefit of the advantages of both heat and cold. The contrasting temperatures expand and constrict the arteries, stimulating the flow of blood and lymphatic drainage.
Cautions and Contraindications
To ensure that hot stone massage is safe for you personally, always inform your massage therapist about all of your medical conditions and everything else affecting your body. If you are pregnant, have high blood pressure levels, heart disease, diabetes or are under a healthcare provider's take care of a serious medical condition, talk to your provider before receiving a hot stone massage.
Heat can worsen some skin complaints, including eczema, rashes, and psoriasis. Avoid heat in case you are taking medication that causes skin hypersensitivity (for example antibiotics or Accutane for acne). Watch out for any area that is numb. Avoid heat on varicose veins, open wounds, infected skin problems, or inflammation.
Generally speaking, avoid cold stones should you have hypertension, heart problems, circulatory problems, reduced sensation, or nerve damage. Also, avoid cold stones on your abdomen for those who have abdominal distress (discomfort, pain, bloating, gas, cramping, constipation, or diarrhea). However, warm stones moved in a circular, clockwise direction might help relieve these symptoms.
Enjoy Your Massage!
If you are be aware of important things about hot stone massage and understand whether it is safe to receive one, call your local massage therapist and relish the relaxing and healing effects of the penetrating heat of a hot stone massage.
