Hot Stone Massage

• What is hot stone massage?
• What are the benefits of hot stone massage?
• How does hot stone massage differ from other types of massage?

What is hot stone massage?

Hot stone massage utilizes large smooth stones instead of the therapists hands, forearms, and elbows. Stones are warmed to 120-125 degrees and used for slow flowing strokes, allowing the warm comforting heat to penetrate deep into the muscle tissue. The stones are smooth and polished, allowing them to perform gliding strikes with the assistance of massage oils, much like the flowing strokes of a traditional Swedish massage.

What are the benefits of hot stone massage?

Hot stone massage penetrates through more muscle tissue layers with much less pressure than any other traditional modality. Stones can also be utilized as a heat pack and placed in one area for a time to loosen the tissue, this way manually working with another stone will provide even deeper and effective stripping of the muscles. Hot stones also cause vasodilation, opening the blood vessels of the body and lowering blood pressure, while also increasing circulation and metabolism.

How does hot stone massage differ from other types of massage?

Hot stone massage offers deep tissue alleviation without the increased pressure, only utilizing effleurage, a flowing massage stroke. The heat created from a hot stone massage warms much more thoroughly and deeper than friction or flowing strokes of other types of massage. The heat paired with the opening of blood vessels is a very relaxing and comforting experience.