Hot stone massage – a treatment that is simply pampering or specifically purposeful?
The answer is BOTH. Imagine it’s January and it’s raining: the train had been held, and you are tired and cold and your boss just won’t quit nagging you..You come home and take a bath – warm water feels soothing and your body just melts away, because heat relaxes the nervous system and muscles. The body and mind feels at ease, and you feel peaceful. In a similar way, this is the benefit of a hot stone massage.
what is hot stone massage?
Hot stone massage is a treatment where smooth, heated stones are used to perform massage strokes. It creates the same amazing feeling of a hot bath, but better! Feeling tension in your shoulder? The heated stone takes it away. That thought of taxes being due soon? The stones melt it like ice cream in the sun. That boss?! What nagging boss? Your stressors and tensions will disappear under the hot stones.
using heat for pliable muscles + fascia
Heat reduces the pain and makes the muscles and fascia more pliable (easy to manipulate). Heat lessens muscle contraction and all those troublesome knots are so much easier to release. Heat also increases the circulation and blood supply to the area. This increased circulation encourages waste product removal, which helps the healing of the injury.
smooth Basalt stones
The stones in hot stone massage are usually smooth Basalt stones that come in many sizes. The therapist holds the stones in their hands and performs massage strokes. Typically, the stone temperature is 52 – 55 degrees Celsius. The stones are heated in electrical stone heaters filled with water, and the heat and stroke pressure can be adapted as per client request. Cold stones can also be used in the acute phase of the injury.
detoxing + improving immunity
Alongside deeply relaxing and remedial qualities, a hot stone massage is great for detoxing! Heat opens the pores, which allows toxins to be released from the body. Furthermore, heat encourages white blood cells to accumulate in the affected area, which subsequently helps the body fight viruses, bacteria and germs.
Hot stone massage is great at any time of the year, but what better time than in the midst of a gloomy London winter! If you never tried a hot stone massage – it’s a must.
Liva originally comes from Latvia, where she successfully graduated from the Latvian Academy of Sports Education, qualifying in Physiotherapy and Sports Education. Passionate about physical exercises and sports, she has a lot of experience rehabilitating athletes from injuries, which she gained from working in hospitals and rehabilitation centres. Although she can help provide relief from many chronic conditions, she specialises in neck, shoulder and lower back pain. Her treatments includes initial assessment, hands-on techniques as well as providing clients with exercises and stretches to complete at home. Liva believes that stress is a huge contributing factor to injuries and chronic pain. She also offers a wide range of relaxing treatments such as holistic and pregnancy massage, organic facials and reiki.
