Hot Stone Massage - What Is It?
An ancient tradition undergoing a modern revival, hot stone massage involves the use of heated stones placed on your body by a registered massage therapist. The therapist uses the stones either as an extension of their hands or while they're massaging other parts of your body, and the heat is meant to act as a means of providing deeper, longer-lasting relief.
What Happens During a Hot Stone Massage?
Before your massage, the stones are sanitized and heated in a bath to prepare them for use. The stones we use at Yellow Gazebo are high quality flat, basalt stones, which are rich in iron and thus can retain heat very well. This heat opens up your blood vessels, improving your circulation during the massage and making the treatment very therapeutic. This type of massage also helps to calm your nervous system, which can have a variety of benefits for your any sleep or mental health issues.
Some of the reasons people seek hot stone massage include:
- back pain
- neck and shoulder pain
- arthritis
- poor circulation
- stress and depression
- insomnia
- reduced flexibility
...and many more!
Note that any massage therapy is contraindicated in the following circumstances:
- immediately after surgery
- immediately after chemotherapy or radiation treatment
- if you suffer from heart disease or are prone to blood clots, unless otherwise indicated by your doctor
- if you suffer from an infectious skin disease, or have an open wound
- if you have a fever
- over heavy bruising, tumor, inflamed skin, or any area that might have fractured bone below the tissue surface
After a registered massage therapy treatment at Yellow Gazebo Natural Health Care, you should feel very relaxed and calm. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to help flush your body after treatment, and follow the lifestyle advice given to you by your massage therapist.
If you would like some more information, contact us for a FREE consultation on how registered massage therapy can help you.
