subject: Presentation to Hot Stone Massage Remedies [print this page] Presentation to Hot Stone Massage Remedies
Hot stone massage through the use of water-heated stones to heat and massage your body has turn into increasingly popular over the past few years. This use of heated water to care for the body, known as thermal hydrotherapy, deeply relaxes your muscles and relieves anxiety.
Mainly massage therapists use basalt stones, since they are non-porous and smooth and keep heat longer than other kinds of stones. These beautiful stones approach in various sizes. The massage therapist positions larger placement stones in one spot on the body for an extended time, while using smaller tooling stones to perform specific massage strokes.
The strokes are commonly slow and gentle, in a method that a lot of people find grounding, comforting, and calming. Some massage therapists use hot stones for energy work by placing them along the body's meridians (energy lines) or on the chakras (energy points). Placing the stones at these key points can stimulate movement of the energy known as qi or chi and help release the effects of stress and facilitate healing.
Other potential benefits of hot stone massage include the release of toxins, relief of pain, and improved flow. The combined therapeutic properties of massage and heat bring a lot of clients who have a hot stone massage once back for more.
Using the Stones
To heat the stones, the massage therapist uses a professionally designed heater with a thermometer for checking the water temperature. The water temperature is usually between 110 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit. since everyone has special sensitivity to heat, it's important for the therapist to make sure the temperature of the stones is appropriate for you. Always let your therapist know if the stones feel too hot.
When using placement stones, the therapist will put a barrier, such as a flannel sheet or terry cloth towel, between them and your skin to avoid the risk of a burn.
To keep and clean the stones, therapists use different approaches. Some wash the stones and change the water after every client. Others use a spa oxidizer that breaks down bacteria in the hot water, keeping the stones sanitized all day. Then at the end of the day, the therapist empties the heating unit and washes and sanitizes all the equipment.
Cold Stone Massage and Contrast Therapy
In addition to hot stones, various massage therapists use cold stones. These marble stones are hand cut for use in cold stone therapy, which is especially useful for injury and inflammation. Cold stones can also invigorate the body or have a cooling result on hot days or for hot flashes.
Any more option is alternating hot and cold stones, a technique called contrast therapy. Contrast therapy takes advantage of the profit of both heat and cold. The contrasting temperatures expand and constrict the blood vessels, stimulating blood flow and lymphatic drainage.
Cautions and Contraindications
To make sure that hot stone massage is safe for you, always tell your massage therapist about all your medical conditions and anything else affecting your body. If you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or are under a healthcare provider's care for a serious medical condition, consult your provider before receiving a hot stone massage.
Heat can worsen some skin situation, like as eczema, rashes, and psoriasis. Avoid heat if you are taking medication that causes skin hypersensitivity (such as antibiotics or Accutane for acne). Be cautious about any area that is numb. Avoid heat on varicose veins, open wounds, infected skin conditions, or inflammation.
In common, avoid cold stones if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, circulatory problems, reduced sensation, or nerve damage. Also, avoid cold stones on your abdomen if you have abdominal distress (discomfort, pain, bloating, gas, cramping, constipation, or diarrhea). However, warm stones moved in a circular, clockwise direction may help relieve these symptoms.
