Hot Stone
      Massage
 

What’s Hot?  The Benefits of Hot Stone ...

Many people find the warmth of the hot stones to be comforting and get it for relaxation. Since hot stones are used to massage the body, you receive the same benefits as a Swedish massage, deep tissue massage and trigger point work.  The added benefit is heat that penetrates the muscle and tendon providing deeper work with less pressure or pain.

Hot stone massage is suited to people who tend to feel chilly or who have cold feet. It's also suited for people who have muscle tension but prefer a lighter massage. The heat relaxes muscles, allowing the therapist to work the muscles without using deep pressure.

Hot stone massage is ideal for people who need the deep work of a traditional Swedish massage, but dislike the strong pressure used. Hot stone massage can have the same effect on the muscles, relaxing them and stimulating blood flow, while still having a very light touch. Skilled practitioners of hot stone massage need very little pressure to have a profound impact — be wary of unskilled practitioners who may feel the need to use traditionally hard Swedish techniques.  LaStone teaches that a hot stone massage goes five times deeper than a Swedish massage and the Japanese believe that one stroke with the stones is equivalent to 10 strokes with the bare hand.  In addition, hot stone massage has the following benefits:

• Promotes deep muscle and tissue relaxation
• Releases toxins from the muscles and eliminates waste more quickly
• Relieves pain and muscle spasms
• Improves circulation and lymph flow
• Calms the mind
• Deep relaxation, the warmth relaxes both physically and mentally
• The heat from the stones is transferred to the body by conduction and it may reach up to one inch into the muscle
• Stress is reduced, relieving mental and physical fatigue
• Circulation is improved and muscles have an increased blood supply, improving function and promoting self-healing.
• The warmth can relieve pain in muscles and joints
• Tension in connective tissue is decreased
• Increases flexibility
• The weight and material of the stones function to ground the body
• Reduced ticklishness for many vulnerable clients
• Added energetic quality to massage when incorporated with vibration (clicking or tapping of stones)
• Increases range of motion
• Balances the central nervous system
• Balances charkas and energy

Contraindications for Hot Stone Massage:

While Hot Stone massages may be warm and wondrous, they are not for everyone.   that People that tend to run hot, have a lot of heat in their skin,  people who do not enjoy heat or hot showers, should not have this treatment.  A hot stone massage for these people may make them feel agitated, angry or annoyed.    If you decide to try a hot stone massage and you find yourself not being able to relax, you may want to ask the therapist to stop and proceed with a different type of massage. 

Contraindications to Hot Stone Massage

If you have any of the following medical health conditions, hot stone massage should be avoided entirely or on isolated areas of the body where there may be certain injuries or illnesses, such as:

• Recent burns (including sun burn)

• Deep vein thrombosis

• Cancerous tumors

• Myocardial infarction.

• Pregnancy

• People with skin conditions such as eczema, rashes, acne and psoriasis should avoid the heat

• People with numb skin due to skin graphing or neuropathy should be extra cautious.

• Anyone on medication that causes skin hypersensitivity (i.e., antibiotics, Accutane) should wait until they are off the medication.

• People with heart conditions should avoid the extreme contrast between heated and cooled stones so as not to shock their delicate systems.

• Diabetes

• Peripheral Vascular Disease

• Uncontrolled Hypertension

• Fever

• Open Wounds or Skin Lesions

• Acute Inflammation

• Sternal/Pectoralis Stones during Lactation

• Any other condition which makes massage or heat applications inadvisable

• Individuals suffering from thrombosis, blood clot and other cardiovascular diseases should seek the advice of a health care practitioner in your area to ensure safety before undergoing hot stone massage therapy

Those new to hot stone massage, though are warned about the potential dangers of this technique, as it could raise a person's blood pressure. Therefore, it is not recommended for pregnant and hypertensive women so please tell your therapist if you are, or think you might be, pregnant or have any of the above medical conditions.

Hot Stone Therapy: Special basalt lava stones release their healing heat as the therapist slowly massages with the stones in her/his hands. For those suffering with joint pain, arthritis, and inflammations. Not available for those with high blood pressure or that are pregnant. 60 Min $90 - 90 Min $125

Hot Stone + Traditional: Combines half and half hot stone massage and traditional massage to get the benefits of both in one session. 60 Min $90 - 90 Min $125

254-848-9989