Body relaxation and muscle tension are the two things that we consistently carry with ourselves every day. With our busy lives and little time for our own health, our bodies are very tired and need a good relaxing treatment to begin their normal functioning.
There are many massage treatments available but something that will particularly treat muscle tension is a hot stone massage. The relaxing session is both therapeutic, popular, and a luxury to the body. There are many benefits of a hot stone massage and in this blog, we will define the importance of hot stone massage and its effectiveness for treating muscle tension in the body.
What Is A Hot Stone Massage?
As the name reflects, the massage session is done by using heated stones on the body. The massage treatment is a combination of different massage techniques, along with the heated rocks, to give the body ultimate relaxation and pleasure.
The rocks used in the massage are made of basalt, a volcanic rock that can retain heat for a long time. The stones are heated in the water at a temperature of about 43- 54 degrees Celsius. Then, the rocks are placed on specific points of the body and deep massage techniques are used to relieve muscle tension from the body.
Hot Stone Massage Procedure
Before searching for a hot stone massage near me, you must be aware of what it is. The massage treatment is not at all dangerous or hard on the body. However, proper knowledge about the treatment is necessary to get the hot stone massage session catered to your preference. So, let’s get started with it:
Stone Heating
- First comes the preparation of stones for the massage. The volcanic rocks are placed in a heater at a temperature between 43-54 degrees Celsius.
- Then, a massaging oil is applied to the stones.
Body Positioning
- Body positioning is very important in a massage treatment. The client should lay straight on the massage table for a hot stone massage session.
- The masseuse will either advise the client to lie face down or face up, depending upon which side of the body will be treated first.
Stone Placement
The placement of stones is based on the following positions:
Normal Positions
For a normal hot stone massage session, the therapist will place the stones on commonly affected points like the spine, abdomen, neck, forehead, chest, face, feet, and palms.
Targeted Muscles
For treating pain in specific muscles of the body, the stones are placed on the targeted muscles to give them heat and relieve muscle tension.
Hot Stone Massage Techniques
In a hot stone massage session, normally, the swedish massage and deep tissue massage techniques are used to give relaxation to the body and relieve muscle tension to improve its functioning. During a hot stone massage treatment, the following massage methods are used on the body:
Gliding Strokes
The heated stones are used to glide on the body in long and short strokes to massage the muscles.
Circular Motions
The rocks are used in circular motions on targeted areas to treat muscle knots and muscle tension.
Pressure Application
For the general massage technique, light to medium pressure is applied to the muscles to massage them.
Hand Massage And Stone Placement
During the whole session, the masseuse uses the heated stones and hand pressures alternatively to relieve muscle tension and stress.
Benefits of Hot Stone Massage
Now, the real question stands in front of us. How does hot stone massage help in treating muscle tension? Well, the real magic lies in the heated stones. The hot stone massage uses heated rocks that provide heat to the muscles, and the therapist applies massage techniques to treat the muscles. Such methods of incorporating heat along with normal massage methods are very therapeutic and effective on the body to relieve muscle tension and stress. Now, let’s quickly cover the benefits of the hot stone massage:
Removes Muscle Tension And Pain
Massages are famously known for treating muscle tension and pain in the body. In the case of a hot stone massage, it does the same by targeting the affected muscles and treating their flexibility. The heat along with the massage techniques, improves the blood flow near the affected muscles and helps in removing muscle tension. Also, for treating pain, the heat reaches the deep layers of the muscles and soothes them to remove pain from them.
Reduces Inflammation
Hot stone massage helps with inflammation. If any part of the body is inflamed and has pain in it, then a proper hot stone massage session can help. The heat from the stone is applied and reduces the muscles’ inflammation.
Improves Flexibility
A hot stone massage goes deep into the muscles, targets the different layers of tissues, and brings them to their normal state. This not only treats muscle tension but also provides flexibility in the targeted muscles.
Reduces Stress And Anxiety
Anxiety and stress don’t only affect our mind but our body as well. The muscles sometimes become stiff due to tension and stress in them. For this purpose, a hot stone massage can help greatly to relax the muscles, body, and mind. This will help to reduce stress and anxiety in your mind and body.
Improves Circulation
The heat from the stones and muscle movement have many benefits in treating tired muscles. The hot stone massage session relieves the muscle tension, which in turn improves the blood flow and increases circulation in the body. Thus, it reduces pain and inflammation in the muscles.
Improves Sleep
A good hot stone massage session is very helpful in gaining calmness and strength back into the body. When the body is relaxed, it promotes better sleep, which is very important for maintaining good health.
Improves Immunity
A hot stone massage improves blood circulation in the body. When the blood flow is good, it boosts immunity. Thus, both normal and hot stone massages improve your body’s immunity.
Final Thoughts
For muscle relaxation, there are normal massage treatments available, but the best option is to take a hot stone massage. The therapeutic session provides heat to the body and massages the muscles deeply to remove stress and tension from them. So, for a dedicated session of mind and body care, try taking a hot stone massage treatment to keep your muscle strength strong.
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