Hot Stone Massage | karendakingmassage

A Hot Stone massage is a type of massage therapy. It’s used to help you relax and ease tense muscles and damaged soft tissues throughout your body. During a Hot Stone massage, smooth, flat, heated 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 Massage Therapist may use a stationary technique placing the heated stones

along your spine
on your stomach
on your chest
on your face
on your palms
on your feet and toes

or the therapists may hold heated stones as they massage your body using Relaxation Massage techniques such as:

long strokes
circular movements
vibration
tapping
kneading

Cold stones (usually white in colour) are also used during a Hot Stone massage to calm any engorged blood vessels and to soothe the skin.

Six benefits of Hot Stone massage

1. Helps relieve muscle tension and pain

2. Reduces stress and anxiety

3. Promotes sleep

4. May help relieve symptoms of autoimmune diseases

5. May help decrease cancer symptoms (this is the symptoms not the cancer itself)

6. May boost immunity

Who may benefit from a hot stone massage?

Anyone who is experiencing muscle tension and pain, insomnia, or stress may benefit from a hot stone massage. If you have a chronic condition that causes pain, talk to your doctor to see if a hot stone massage is a good option for you.

Risks and warnings

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 hot stone 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
pregnant