The Bliss Of a Hot Stone Massage

By Holly Dunbar, CMT, RH (AGH)

New Moon Body Work and Botanicals

. http://www.newmoonbody.com

More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles

The Bliss Of a Hot Stone Massage

If the winter chill tends to make your muscles clench, or if you carry tension like a coat on your back, a hot stone massage may be just the thing to soothe those aches and pains.

Hot stone massage is a technique that uses warm basalt rocks that are very smooth in texture as both a passive and active tool in a massage session.

Some stones of a moderate temperature may be laid directly on the skin, or with a thin cloth barrier to allow the heat to penetrate to the deeper muscle layers.

While these stones are on one part of the body, the therapist will then use warm stones with a thin coat of oil to massage another part of the body. The stones become an extension of the hand that literally melts away stress and tension.

Most people can benefit and greatly enjoy this service. Hot stone massage has the following special benefits

Reaches the deeper muscle layers without too much pressure, and therefore may be of particular value for those that would benefit from deeper work, but don't necessarily enjoy too much pressure.

Relieves the chronic pain of fibromyalgia of a cold nature. Because of the sensitive nature of this disorder, some cannot tolerate deep pressure, yet need work in deeper tissue layers. Hot stone massage can accomplish this in a gentle manner.

Provides a deep relaxation and a grounding effect on the psyche.

The warmth and physical weight of the stones counteracts brain fog and scattered thoughts, leaving one more clear-headed and focused.

Maximizes the absorption of essential and carrier oils.

Hot stone massage is not appropriate for pregnant women, the hypertensive, cancer patients, the frail elderly, or diabetics.