mind body spirit

Hot Stone Massage

A hot stone massage is truly one of the most relaxing and therapeutic massages available.  As the name implies, a hot stone massage is a type of massage that utilizes water treated stones that are placed over specific areas of the body that will induce relaxation and stress relief.  The massage aspect of the treatment, when a therapist will lightly kneed and manipulate the muscles to loosen them is done in the beginning, in order to prepare the body for a better response to the stones.  Done with fragrant oils, the body is almost completely relaxed before the hot stones are placed on the back, legs, neck and arms.  

A hot stone massage delivers great benefits and therapy to body.  Besides the relaxation of the muscles themselves, a hot stone massage also works to get rid of stress, release the toxins in your body and can help to alleviate any pain you may feel.  It also works to improve circulation and promotes an overall sense of wellbeing that leaves you energized, motivated and feeling great.  A hot stone massage is extremely beneficial for those who are inflicted with such ailments as arthritis, back pain, depression, insomnia and anxiety.  Hot stone massages were recorded as early as the 16th century in which Europeans as well as Native American Indians were using the stones in order to release people of sickness and to instill good energy in their body.  

There are a variety of different types of stones that are utilized during the process such as basalt, lava stones, as well as others.  Typically the stones are applied to the body when they are hot, but in the case of muscle injury they may be used cold.  The stones are placed at points throughout the body so they can relieve the pressure of the energy within the body.  This can help bring great stress relief within just a short period of time.  During this process, people are often so relaxed that they fall into a natural state of meditation in which their mind almost shuts down completely and they simply enjoy the rejuvenation of the hot stone massage.  By the time the entire massage is complete, the body feels reenergized and the mind is calm and peaceful.  This in turn helps the body to physically renew itself and therefore feel better relieving any aches, pain or tension.  

The Benefits of a Hot Stone Massage

Besides the incredible peace that a hot stone massage brings to the body, it also has some serious physical benefits.  It promotes deep tissue and muscle relaxation, relieves pain and can improve circulation.  For people with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis it can literally make all the difference in the world.  After several sessions, people with these ailments can feel a great deal of relief in the amount of tightness in joints and muscles and overall they feel a significant relief of pain.  For those with insomnia or depression, it can lift the spirits and bring energy back into your life, but still help you to sleep better at the same time.  In short, the hot stone massage is a massage for the mind, body and the soul.