Hot stone therapy?
If you suffer from stiff joints, back problems or muscular aches and pains, there’s nothing better than Hot Stone therapy to ease the tensions.
This form of holistic massage promotes relaxation and feelings of well being. It also offers deep healing as the heat penetrates the body, improves the circulation and maximises natural health.
Hot stones have been used by healing practitioners throughout the ages. The stones, which are smooth chunks of basalt lava of different sizes, are sterilised and heated in a tank of water. They are then placed on the massage couch, to support the shoulders, spine and hips, and covered with a towel ready for you to lie on.
Basalt lava is thought to have specific healing properties as well as holding the heat for a prolonged period of time. It provides an ideal medium for the treatment.
You can usually select an appropriate naturally scented massage oil for the treatment, or alternatively the therapist may use neutral, base oil without any additional ingredients. The therapist will then perform a gentle massage, which consists of flowing, soothing strokes rather than the aggressive hacking and cupping associated with Swedish massage techniques.
The session continues with a deep, comforting full body massage, gliding the hot stones themselves over the body, with particular attention paid to the back, neck and shoulders, upper arms, hips and legs, areas where tension can build up and muscular/skeletal problems manifest.
Hot stone therapy offers the ultimate in relaxation and comfort – you leave the session feeling as though your cares have simply floated away, and the positive benefits can last for several days after the session.
If you’re interested in having hot stone therapy, you’re well advised to seek out a fully trained, professionally qualified practitioner who is a member of one of the Holistic Therapy industry’s professional bodies and holds a full massage qualification.
Tolerance to heat differs between individuals. If the hot stones feel uncomfortable during the treatment, it’s not a problem to alert your therapist, who should adjust the treatment accordingly.
Hot stone therapy is usually more expensive than regular massage, but this depends on whether you have your treatment in a Spa or Salon or whether you choose a self-employed or mobile practitioner.
