Hot Stone Massages: Useful Or Just A Lot of Hot Air?

A commonly popular offering at most holistic wellness spas and massage parlours, hot stone massages have been around for ages. It is often associated with the imagery of round, polished stones and pebbles being placed over various locations on the body, typically along the breadth of the back. But as with many traditional massage techniques rooted in age-old beliefs, it can be difficult to comprehend just what sort of benefits you reap from laying heated stones on your body.

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What is a hot stone massage? 

As the name would suggest, a hot stone massage uses heated stones that are placed over specific junctures and points on the body to aid in relaxation and relief from muscle aches. The stones are typically smooth, polished basalt, a type of volcanic stone that boasts excellent heat-retention properties. Several inches in size, they are heated to a specific temperature in a hot water bath before being laid over your body.

Temperatures vary, but usually fall between the range of 54-degrees Celsius to 63-degrees Celsius, depending on your tolerance. Be sure to let your therapist know if you experience any discomfort, as stones that are too hot may leave burns on the skin.

The placement of hot stones is typically accompanied by a Swedish massage to further aid in relieving tension in the muscles. Where each stone will be laid is dependent entirely on the issues you wish to address, but they will usually be placed along the length of your spine, on your chest, your stomach, your palms and on occasion, your face.

 

How does it work? 

Hot Stone Massage | Gould's Gift Card

source: Gould’s

Hot stone massages claim to help in the releasing of muscle tension through the use of heat. The idea here is to reduce any swelling or inflammation that the affected area has experienced by allowing warmth from the stones to penetrate deep into the muscle tissue. This is further aided by massage techniques that push away the bundled up knots where they are present. Think of it as a regular massage but with some extra help.

 

What are the benefits? 

It should be noted that there is no absolutely concrete medical research to support long-term, lasting positive impacts from hot stone massages. But those who choose to undergo the massage tend to report these immediate benefits:

  • Muscle relaxation
    As mentioned previously, hot stone massages are primarily used for muscle relaxation purposes. Tailored to function in a manner that is similar to a warm compress, the heat from each stone is intended to penetrate deeply into the core of your muscles, allowing relief from any tension or soreness that you may feel.
  • Stress reduction
    As is typical to most spa treatments, one of the inadvertent benefits to a hot stone massage is the sense of relaxation you could feel immediately as your stress ebbs away. Combined with the atmosphere and ambiance inherent to most spas and wellness retreats, a hot stone massage may just be your ticket to a more serene state of mind.
  • Improved quality of sleep
    While not specific to just hot stone massages, massage therapy in general is said to show positive correlations with improved sleep quality. And of course, with relaxed muscles no longer making you feel sore all over, you can imagine how much better you’ll slumber.

 

Is a hot stone massage suitable for me? 

4 Hot Stone Massage Benefits (And 1 Reason to Skip Them) - PureWow

Source: Pure Wow

As massage treatments are generally non-invasive and safe when performed by a licensed professional, there should be no reasons why healthy adults shouldn’t give hot stone massages a go. With that being said however, young children and women who are in any stage of pregnancy should not undergo this form of massage therapy.

As is the case for any holistic treatment, speak and consult with a professional first before committing. Health is wealth, and that is most certainly the case when you’re seeking to unwind.

 

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