Have you come in to a treatment with me and noticed the slow cooker sitting on the cabinet? Whenever clients ask why I have it I will sometimes say "I'm cooking dinner - it saves time when I work evenings". This is a joke, I would never do that. The truth is I use the slow turkey cooker as my heater for hot stone treatments. A few years ago I took a course on how to perform a hot stone massage and it does have some amazing benefits so I wanted to outline what a stone massage is if you'd like to give it a try.
Stone massage combines the benefits of both massage therapy and hyperthermy/cryotherapy. They can create a deep relaxing and healing treatment by allowing the tissues to soften, which allows the techniques to sink lower and alleviate tension. A stone massage can also boost circulation and lymphatic flow (while increasing cellular nutrition), helps eliminate toxins from your body, increasing range of motion, and restoring a balanced body and mind.
Depending on what treatment you're seeking, different types of stones are used:
Hot Stone: Basalt stones are used which are formed from volcanic and sedimentary action. Most commonly formed on the ocean floor after an eruption and washed up on the shores. The water tumbles the stones to smooth the edges. These stones are a dark grey or black and have been found to retain high temperatures without cracking.
Cold Stone: can be used in combination with or as a separate treatment. Marble stones are the best for this form of treatment as they are less dense than the Basalt stones which allows them to help remove heat from the body. They have a similar effect as a cold pack application.
Who Can Have A Hot Stone Massage?
The hot stone treatment is generally safe for most people, however a few considerations need to be made:
The elderly or children may have skin that is hyper sensitive, making the treatment less effective
Women who are pregnant may want to avoid this treatment as rising the core temperature can cause some complications
High/Low blood pressure may be an issue as a hot stone massage will raise your blood pressure, which could put you at risk for heart complications, and if you have low blood pressure it might make you nauseous, dizzy or fatigued.
If you have any condition or medication where your sensations might be altered (i.e. trauma or pain killers) you may not feel if the stones are too hot which could cause tissue damage
Like all my other treatments, communication is (you guessed it) essential! If the stones are too hot or cold, please speak up so we can alter the treatment to avoid tissue damage. I will also keep an eye on how your skin and body are tolerating the treatment and follow up if anything seems off.
Now that you know what the stones are and who it's appropriate for, how does this treatment differ from regular massage?
The techniques are generally the same, but instead of using my fingers, knuckles and elbows, I use the stones. When we use each new stone, I use the broad sides of the stone to run up the muscle belly. The strokes are quick and long so that you can get the benefits of the heat without burning the skin. Once the stone cools slightly, I turn the stone on the thin edge and use slower/deeper strokes to loosen up the muscles. The stones can also be placed on your back, abdomen or feet on a towel so that you can stay warm through the treatment. In my regular treatments, I usually use a coconut gel because I find it stays on the skin longer so I don't have to keep reapplying it, but the stones tend to get a little stuck. That is why I usually massage with oil instead. This allows the stones to glide more smoothly. When I finish with an area, I usually wipe off the extra oil with a warm towel so it doesn't feel greasy when you get dressed.
I usually make a few extra recommendations when you get off the table after a hot stone treatment. Since the stone treatment helps sedation, I recommend taking it easy, to go home and relax. It is also common that you may have to go to the bathroom more regularly as we are promoting digestion and stimulating the renal system. It is important to drink a little more water so that you avoid dehydration.
I hope this article has shed some light on what a stone massage is and how it can be helpful for you!
Thank you for taking the time to stop by and I hope you have a great day!
Reference:
Curry, H. (2011). Hot Stone Massage Workshop. Ottawa, ON.
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