A hot stone massage is used to help you relax and ease tense muscles and damaged soft tissues throughout your body. During a hot stone massage, smooth, flat, heated between 130 and 145 degrees stones are placed on specific parts of your body. The stones are usually made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock that retains heat.
The stones may be placed:
- along your spine
- on your stomach
- on your chest
- on your face
- on your palms
- on your feet and toes
May be incorporated into a Swedish Massage if appropriate. Therapist may also use techniques from Swedish Massage with the stones. Sometimes, cold stones are also used during a Hot Stone Massage. Cold stones may be used after hot stones to calm any engorged blood vessels and to soothe the skin.
The benefits of Hot Stone Massage
- Stress reducing
- Promotes sleep
- Increased calmness and relaxation
- Decrease in muscle tension
- Pain relief
- May help relieve symptoms of autoimmune diseases
- May help decrease cancer symptoms
- May boost immunity
FAQ
When performed by a trained therapist, a hot stone massage is generally safe. There are some circumstances where it should be avoided. Consult your doctor before getting a massage if you have:
- a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners
- burns on your skin
- open wounds
- a history of blood clots
- had surgery in the last 6 weeks
- a fracture or severe osteoporosis
- a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
- diabetes