Power of Hot Stone Massage Therapy

Hot stone massage with the use of water-heated stones to heat and massage one's body happens to be increasingly popular during the last several years. This use of warmed water to take care of the body, called thermal hydrotherapy, deeply relaxes your muscles and relieves stress.Most massage therapists use basalt stones, since they're non-porous and smooth and retain heat longer kinds of stones. These beautiful stones can be found in various sizes. The massage therapist positions larger placement stones in a single just right our bodies to have an extended time, while using smaller tooling stones to execute specific massage strokes.The strokes are generally slow and gentle, in a way 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 around the chakras (energy points). Placing the stones at these tips can stimulate movement with the energy generally known as qi or chi and help release the end results of stress and facilitate healing.Other potential benefits of hot stone massage include the release of toxins, pain relief, and improved circulation. The combined healing properties of massage and warmth bring many clients that have a hot stone massage once back for additional.Using the StonesTo heat the stones, the massage therapist uses a professionally designed heater having a thermometer for checking water temperature. The water temperatures are usually between 110 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Because all people have different sensitivity to heat, it is important to the therapist to make certain the temperature of the stones is acceptable in your case. Always let your therapist know when the stones feel too hot.When you use placement stones, the therapist will put a barrier, such as a flannel sheet or terry cloth towel, together and your skin to avoid the potential risk of a burn.To take care of and clean the stones, therapists use different techniques. Some wash the stones and affect the water after every client. Others use a spa oxidizer that fights bacteria inside warm water, keeping the stones sanitized throughout the day. Then by the end for the day, the therapist empties the heating unit and washes and sanitizes the many equipment.Cold Stone Massage and Contrast TherapyAs well as hot stones, some massage therapists use cold stones. These marble stones are hand cut to be used in cold stone therapy, and that is especially a good choice for injury and inflammation. Cold stones can also invigorate the body or have a cooling effect on hot days or hot flashes.Another option is alternating cold and warm stones, an approach called contrast treatment. Contrast therapy takes advantage of the advantages of both heat and cold. The contrasting temperatures expand and constrict the blood vessels, stimulating blood flow and lymphatic drainage.Cautions and ContraindicationsTo make certain hot stone massage is safe in your case, always inform your massage therapist about your entire medical ailments and whatever else inside your body. In case you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes or are under a healthcare provider's care for a serious condition, speak to your provider before receiving a hot stone massage.Heat can worsen some skin disorders, for example eczema, rashes, and psoriasis. Avoid heat if you are taking medication that causes skin hypersensitivity (for instance antibiotics or Accutane for acne). Watch out for any area that may be numb. Avoid heat on spider veins, open wounds, infected skin complaints, or inflammation.Normally, avoid cold stones when you have high blood pressure levels, heart disease, circulatory problems, reduced sensation, or nerve damage. Also, avoid cold stones on your abdomen should you have abdominal distress (discomfort, pain, bloating, gas, cramping, constipation, or diarrhea). However, warm stones moved inside a circular, clockwise direction may help relieve these symptoms.