What is Hot Stone Massage Therapy and Why You Should Get It?

Hot stone massage therapy is an ancient art that is cross-cultural and reportedly used from the Native Americans to the Far East. It's a practice that some people seem hesitant to try, thinking their skin will be scorched and scratched by heavy rocks. Nothing could be further from the truth! Hot stone massages carry a multitude of well-documented benefits and can easily become a weekly spa routine to look forward to. While you may not hear of people getting it often, that shouldn't prevent you from taking full advantage from a spa that offers them. It's a therapeutic massage that more people should have during their week.

Let's go over what hot stone massage therapy is, how it benefits you, and getting your first appointment booked. 

Hot Stone Massage

A hot stone massage is truly what it sounds like, a massage performed with hot stones.  The smooth stones are warmed by a fire and placed on the body or rubbed around on it. The stones aren't random rocks found or any old stone, they are often basalt and here at Moontree, we use obsidian stones. The stones must be able to retain heat and be as smooth as possible for the optimal effect of the massage. During the massage, different sized stones will be used based on what strokes or parts of the body are being worked, giving the masseuse more versatility in administering the massage. 

The massage itself can be placing stones along sen lines, or energy lines, placing them on specific muscles to relax them, or moving them in slow and rhythmic strokes. The stones are never heated to the point where they should burn the skin but if you feel it's too hot, never be afraid to tell your masseuse. The goal is to help relax you and promote wellness so, if you're in pain then they cannot achieve that. ‘

The Benefits of a Hot Stone Massage

Now that you know what a hot stone massage is, let's list off some of the known benefits of receiving one:

• Boosts circulation of blood

• Relieves muscle tension

• Reduces stress and anxiety

• Promotes sounder sleep

• Releases skin toxins

• Increases flexibility

Many of these benefits are associated with heat compress and so, it's no wonder why a hot stone massage would have these advantages as well.  What the stones do themselves carry the heat for longer and able to penetrate deeper into the muscles. Much like a deep-tissue massage is from the ability for hands to get more "in" to you, the stones bring that as well. Also, there have been numerous studies about how weight can help reduce anxiety and induce feelings of comfort; the lying of the stones on your body assist in that as well. 

Cold Stone Massage

Instead of a hot stone massage, there is a cold stone massage alternative that carries its own set of benefits. Like a hot stone massage, it's exactly what it sounds like. The use of cool stones massaged over your body or used along with hot stones to bring a contrasting effect. 

The benefits of a cold stone massage center around relief from hot flashes, help to settle injury and calm inflammation. When cold stones and hot stones are present in the massage, the effect is expanding and constricting blood vessels which helps stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage. 

If there is an option to bring cold stones into your hot stone massage, take advantage of it. You'll get the full benefits of both techniques and leave your session feeling greater than either one alone.

Book Your Hot Stone Massage

Whether you just need to relax or work out a specific pain in your body, a hot stone massage can bring relief to you. Make sure to give it a try next time you're at a spa, you'll be sure to get it again. 

As always, not every massage or technique is appropriate for everyone. If your skin is sensitive or you're on medication that makes it sensitive, pregnant, or concerned if any health conditions you have would make a hot stone massage inappropriate then consult your physician and ask the spa. Always better to be sure a spa treatment can benefit you before enjoying it.