If you feel like the day’s stress is affecting your personal life in a not so good way, then you would need to destress yourself. A massage therapy session is one of the things that most people enjoy doing after a long busy day. There are different types of massage that you can choose from. Some are common, like the Swedish and Aromatherapy massage, some are also not quite high in the popularity scales, like the hot stone massage.
This is one of the types of massage therapy which utilizes heated, smooth and flat stones which is then placed on certain points of the client’s body. Sometimes, a massage therapist will hold the stone to apply heat. The heat, as well as the weight of the stones coupled with deep pressure, are the reason why clients claim an improvement in the circulation as well as relax the tensed muscles.
What Makes Hot Stone Massage Different?
Usually, the stones are situated on the sides of the spine, in the palms of our hands, legs or sometimes between the toes. The hot stone massage uses heated Basalt river rocks. During the session, the therapist will use a professional massage stone heater to prepare the rocks for treatment. The heat should reach the range of 110 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Then the stones are placed on the specific points of the back depending on the areas where the muscle tension needs treatment as well as the client’s needs.
Hot Stone Massage Benefits.
Hot stones are best for people who have anxiety. Those who experience back pains are also finding this type of therapy helpful. Clients who have depression as well as insomnia, find it relaxing when they undergo a session with hot stone massage. The heat from the stones will relax the muscles which will allow the therapist to apply light pressure for better results.
Hot stone use for relaxation has been a common practice during the time of the Native Americans. This was introduced by Mary Nelson as another type of personalized messsage therapy. Mary Nelson is a massage therapist from Arizona, who developed LaStone Therapy which is a hot stone massage technique mixed with therapeutic massage.