Hot Stone Massage originated in Tuscan Arizona in 1993 by Mary Hannigan. Hot Stones Massage is one of the fastest growing massage techniques of today and is a very popular treatment here at Luna Holistic Therapies.
Chinese, Japanese and Indian cultures have all used stones for rituals and healing over thousands of years. A deeper massage is achieved with the stones as each massage stroke is equivalent to at least four with the hands.
What is Hot Stone Massage?
Hot Stone Massage is a very therapeutic and relaxing massage therapy involving the use of hot volcanic stones (and sometimes cold stones) to eliminate muscle pain, tension and stress. Volcanic basalt stones are heated in a hygienic water bath and placed on key points of the body and used to enhance the massage to unblock stagnant energy and tense muscles; giving a sense of deep relaxation and well-being.
Hot Stones are massaged over the body using aromatherapy oils by your therapist’s hands. Swedish body massage and lymphatic body massage techniques are also used during a treatment (you are not just massaged by the Hot Stones). The heat gently penetrates the skin and muscle, helping you to reach a deep level of relaxation and tranquillity, while knots and tension are smoothed away. You are unlikely to feel the intensity, since your muscles will be relaxed by the heat of the stones.
Around 50 stones are used in a 70 minute full body treatment these are massaged and placed all around your body. Stones range from tiny stones which are placed between your toes, small stones are placed down the sides of your spine when you lay on your back whilst the rest of the body is massaged to larger stones which are used to massage all area’s of your body. Most clients relax into a dream like state and lose track of where the hot stones are arranged.
Hot Stone Massage encourages the body to detox and heal which also increases lymph flow and helps to flush out waste. Heat relaxes your body in a short space of time, so your therapist can focus on a deep working of the tissues using both hot stones and hand massage. Hot stones expand blood vessels, which push blood and waste through the nervous system which gives the body a sedative effect. As with all therapy treatments, do not underestimate the feel-good factor. Hot Stone massage will help you feel pampered, chilled-out and thoroughly relaxed.
Your hot stones treatment is likely to last about an 70 minutes allowing plenty of time for melting away all your knots, aches, tension and concerns. Shorter treatments with Hot Stones are available such as 40 minutes Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage with stones or tailored treatments to a time you require if combined with another treatment can be arranged, please enquire for prices.
Full Body Hot Stones (70 mins) £45
Back, Neck and Shoulder Hot Stones (40 mins) £30
Hot Stone Massage is said to have health benefits for people with;
• Muscular aches and pains
• Poor circulation
• Rheumatic and arthritic conditions
• Fibromyalgia
• Back pain
• Depression
• Stress and anxiety
• Insomnia
• Stored tension
Hot Stone Massage assists with creating ultimate relaxation including;
• Grounding, balancing and releasing blocked tension, stresses and strains
• Refreshes the mind, body and soul
• Promotes a sense of wellbeing
Hot Basalt Stones provide the soothing heat for deep tissue work on the body which help to create the following effects;
• Respiration is increased and then slowed down enabling you to enter a deeper state of relaxation
• Improved circulation
• Increased nutrition to muscles
• Increases metabolism (the rate at which the body processes food, burns energy and clears toxins)
• Increases cell metabolism (the rate at which the body manufactures chemicals such as hormones)
• Increases lymph function which can detoxify and boost immunity
• Muscle tension is released which improves range of movement
Top Tips to get the best from your Hot Stones Massage
A Hot Stones massage is a real treat both emotionally and physically, so please do indulge as much as you can whilst you are at the studio for your treatment. If you can try to avoid eating a heavy meal or drinking alcohol in the hours before your treatment.
Always tell your therapist about any medical conditions you have. Your medical history will be taken before your treatment and taken into account when choosing the right stones and techniques for your body.
If you are pregnant, or think you might be pregnant – it is essential you tell your therapist.
During the treatment, don’t be afraid to tell your therapist if the stones are too warm for you as the temperature can be altered easily if you prefer a cooler or hotter stones. You will find that you relax more quickly if you are comfortable. Hot Stones is a popular treatment all year round.
We recommend you should book a Hot Stone treatment at a time when you won’t have to rush onto somewhere afterwards because of how calm and relaxed you will feel.