hot stone massage benefits

As a type of treatment that is growing in popularity, you can find different day spas in Sydney offering hot stone massage. It is a kind of massage therapy that helps the individual to relax tense muscles and damaged soft tissue throughout the body. Since it is slowly becoming an Australian favourite, it’s time to convince more people by informing them of the benefits of hot stone massage

What is Hot Stone Massage?

A hot stone massage is a type of massage that applies hot stones to your body. During the treatment, smooth, flat, heated stones are used on specific points while giving the massage. These stones are usually basalt stones that are heated between 130 and 145 degrees, depending on the area of the body it is placed. On the extremities, the stones are a bit colder, but it’s the opposite on the back and feet as these parts can handle a little more heat. Hot Stone Massage is lovely and relaxing. As a massage therapist, you should check in your client first when it comes to how much heat they like. 

What Happens During a Hot Stone Massage?

Prepare your River Rocks

The hot stone massage will never be complete without the rocks or stone you will be using. Most of the time, day spas use river rocks or other smooth-surfaced stones made of basalt. Both usually hold the heat inside the stone.

Place the Stones on Specific Areas

During this type of massage therapy, they will place hot stones along both sides of the spine, palms, legs, abdomen, or feet. It will take some time for the heat to penetrate the towel giving the client to determine if the stones are too hot. They are proven to be effective when it comes to warming up a client’s musculature.

Massage Oil Application

Your massage therapist will now apply all at the back and arms so that stones can moves smoothly over the skin.

Time for Hot Stone Massage

Holding the stones in both hands, your therapist will start the massage by using gliding movements. Clients usually prefer the Swedish Massage the technique, especially when it’s involving the neck, back, shoulder, and legs. The stones can either be in place or removed. When it’s too hot, most of the time your therapist will keep moving at a speed that can control the temperature. Remember to communicate with them especially when you can’t handle the heat.

The 10 Benefits of Hot Stone Massage

Most massages have similar benefits to our bodies and well-being. They are slowly becoming most people’s therapy when they need instant relaxation and pain relief. Here are many benefits of hot stone massage that will convince you to get one as soon as possible:

1. Encourages Blood Circulation and Energy Flow

As the name implies, this type of massage uses hot stones usually placed on key points of the body. Hot stones can expand blood vessels, which improves the blood flow throughout the body. If you are having a problem with blood circulation, one of the best treatments to get is a hot stone massage.

2. Releases Toxins and Assists Body in Self-healing

Life across Sydney can be busy. Sometimes, we will realize one day how our body is sacrificing because of too much work. All the extra weight when we wake up in the morning is usually taken for granted. That’s a sign that you need a hot stone massage. The said massage treatment is deeply detoxifying and profoundly relaxing, releasing your toxins from your muscles. Moreover, this therapy will assist your body in self-healing.

3. Relieves Muscles Tension and Pain

The release of toxins will result in muscle tension and pain relief. Heated stones placed on your body have proven to ease muscle tension and pain for decades. There are even pieces of evidence that can reduce muscle spasms and improve your flexibility. If your body is longing for a treatment that will eliminate pain and stiff muscles, having a hot stone massage is never a bad idea. 

4. Activates Productivity

Massages, in general, can give your immune system the boost it needs. The use of hot stones plus a relaxing Swedish massage is one of the best combinations you can ask for. After the treatment, you’ll feel the tension piling up on certain parts of your body fading away. The better feeling you have the next day will result in productivity. You will be more active at home and work. 

5. Promotes Better Sleep

Another hot stone massage benefit is improving your quality of sleep. If you are one of those people who are having a hard time sleeping, you might want to consider having this type of massage therapy. Everyone needs this because we want to wake up from satisfying sleep with an energised feeling. Consequently, studies showed that this massage technique has helped improve sleep in insomnia patients.

6. Boosts Immunity

Improving your sleep and productivity are good benefits, but how about a better immune system? A study conducted by researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles found out that people who had a 45-minute massage showed an increased number of lymphocytes. These are white blood cells that are vital in defending the body from different diseases. The study used Swedish Massage, which is the type of treatment used for our hot stone massage. 

7. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Massage has a powerful impact when it comes to our mental health, and hot stone massage is no exception. We are in the middle of the pandemic, and feeling anxious is becoming common. Do not allow your health to be affected badly and quickly find a solution to fight this. Having a hot stone massage near you is a good idea if you want to reduce stress and anxiety. 

8. Treats Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases

Known to be a spa technique that combines relaxation massage and heat therapy, hot stone massage is also known to treat symptoms of autoimmune diseases. It is a must to contact your preferred day spa and ask if their therapist knows about dealing with autoimmune diseases. Of course, this should be in agreement with your doctor. 

Studies show that this hot stone massage benefit can relieve the pain of individuals with arthritis and fibromyalgia. If you are on the hunt for activities or treatments that can give you relief, you might want to try this. 

9. Improves Flexibility

Not all people are born flexible. Others may have developed their flexibility because of their lifestyle. If you are aiming to have an improvement in that department and feel fantastic at the same time, then a hot stone massage is what you need. During the treatment, heated stones are strategically placed onto the body. They aid in improving your mobility around the joints, thus resulting in better flexibility.

10. Aids in Faster Injury Recoveries

In general, massage is known to help blood circulation. What makes a hot stone massage more beneficial is because of the heat involved, which allows the blood vessels to expand. Because of this, oxygen can get to your muscles quickly, resulting in additional toxins to move out of your bloodstream. This process that happens inside our body because of the treatment will help any kind of muscle injury to heal faster. All the benefits of hot stone massage will set you for re-energising and rejuvenating the body, mind, and spirit.