Hot Stone Massage
Hot Stone Massage is a specialty massage using smooth, heated basalt stones. Basalt is a type of ancient volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat especially well. Hot stones may be placed on various points on the body, including along the spine, in the palms of the hands, on chest and abdomen, on the face and between the toes. The heated stones encourage deeper relaxation of the muscles, as well as the mind and spirit. Massage cream or oil is used in conjunction with a warm stone to apply some traditional Swedish massage strokes.
In 1993, Mary Nelson-Hannigan of Tucson, Arizona, formalized the use of heated stones to massage the body and open energy channels, facilitating self-healing and body-mind awareness. She named this modality LaStone Therapy. Since this formalization of the use of heated stones within the context of therapeutic massage, the use of this type of therapy has become widespread.
Benefits
Hot Stone Massage is deeply detoxifying and profoundly relaxing. By combining massage with hot stones, the circulatory system is both stimulated and relaxed. This circulatory activity promotes the release of toxins from the muscles, assisting the body in self-healing. In addition, tense muscles are also softened and eased by the deeply penetrating heat of the stones. Pain and muscle spasms are banished and a feeling of peacefulness and spiritual well-being takes hold. The combined effect prompts a state of enhanced relaxation that washes away stress and sets the stage for re-energizing and rejuvenating the body, mind and spirit.
Treatment
The stones are heated to approximately 120°F – 130°F or 34°C. Then hot stones are placed over the heart, on the abdomen and under the neck. With heat penetrating from above and beneath the body, the massage begins.
Legs and feet, arms and hands are worked gently with massage oil. Then hot smooth stones, held in the palms of the therapist’s hands, are used to apply additional pressure and heat. Thin warm stones are placed between each toe to radiate heat after the feet have been addressed. Once each limb has been thoroughly massaged and warmed to the bone, the therapist moves on to work with the neck, shoulders and facial muscles. To end the face up portion of the massage, pleasantly warm stones scented with essential oil are placed on the flat surfaces of the face.
Stones are then removed from between the toes, over the heart, abdomen, beneath the neck and spine and the person receiving turns face down on the massage table. The prone portion of the session includes working with the legs, back, neck and shoulders. Hot stones are used to massage these areas, melting away stress and tension, increasing joint flexibility and softening dry, damaged skin. Heated stones are placed over the covers along the base of the spine, and on either side of the spine, radiating heat into these areas. Warm stones are also cupped in the palms to increase the sense of penetrating heat as the last portion of the session progresses.
Mind Prossage Spa offers Hot Stone Massage in combination with other massage therapies in the Newport Coast area, Corona del Mar (Newport Beach) – Orange County. Mind Prossage Massage Health Club servers customers for all nearby cities like Irvine, Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo.