A massage is a great way to relax. And there are so many ways you can do it: either use massage guns on yourself, or make an appointment with a massage therapist. And when you add hot stones to a massage session, the routine self-care quickly becomes an indulgent treat.
The hot stones – which are misnomers, really. The stones are NOT hot – they’re warm – and are quite comforting and can be placed almost anywhere you’re feeling muscle tension or pains.
Massage therapists use varying techniques in order to relax the muscles in your body. And there are several that massage therapists can use: kneading, long strokes, tapping and circular motions.
In this blog post, we will go over a particular type of massage called the hot stone massage. We’ll discuss what exactly it is, as well as its benefits.
What is a hot stone massage?
Regular massage techniques are done during hot stone massages. The difference is, unlike using a muscle massage gun which is common for deep tissue massages, massage therapists use warmed up stones and place them on specific areas of your body.
These stones are flat and smooth, usually made of basalt, which is a type of volcanic rock. Basalt stones are ideal because they retain heat very well. The stones are placed in hot water to warm them up before application.
Other therapists rub the stones between their hands to warm them up, and use the stones to massage with. This allows them to target muscles deeper without adding too much pressure, allowing clients to relax more.
Cold stones on the other hand are often used on the face to reduce puffiness, or after hot stones were applied. The cold soothes the skin.
5 Reasons hot stone massage is good for you
Apart from relaxation, there are many other reasons a hot stone massage can be good for you. Let’s go over five of them:
1. Relieves pain
Hot stone massage has been proven to help relieve pain among people suffering from autoimmune disorders and fibromyalgia. Research studies on rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia also indicate that hot stone massages help improve one’s range of motion.
2. Relieves stress
Massages are effective for stress relief. Medical studies have shown that massages not only reduce anxiety and stress, it boosts cardiovascular health.
3. Increased joint flexibility
It can be painful and difficult to move your joints when there’s tension in your muscles. Hot stone massages help relax your muscles, so you’ll find it more comfortable and easier to move your joints and improve mobility.
4. Decreases muscle tension and spasms
Muscle spasms and tension causes pain and often can interfere with your daily activities. A hot stone massage reduces tension and inflammation in the muscles which effectively decreases muscle pain and spasms.
This is because the heat from the stones boost the flow of blood in the areas on which they’re applied, thus relaxing the muscles and joints.
5. Helps you sleep
Stress, hectic schedules, insomnia, eating habits – all these contribute to someone not getting enough quality sleep. Getting a hot stone massage not only relaxes the muscles and eases body pains, it also relaxes your mind, preparing you for sleep.
During sleep, your body produces growth hormones which are responsible for muscle and tissue repair. Needless to say, anything that helps you get 8-9 hours of sleep is essential.