Hot stone massage is a technique that invites relaxation and serenity. It is also so popular that we find this service in many institutes and massage centers. Today widespread, it can be purchased in stores in the form of a self-heating electrical box for personal application. Through this article, we will make you discover its origin and you will learn all the benefits it can bring.

Hot stone massage

Origin and uses of hot stone massage

Many civilizations have used hot and cold stones for pain relief. In India and Japan, they were particularly appreciated for treating the relaxation of the meridians and they were frequently used in saunas in Europe. However, the origin of hot stone massage is attributed to Native Americans.

Round or oval in shape, the stones are of volcanic origin and commonly made of basalt, because they have the particularity of retaining heat or cold. They can in principle be applied to the whole body subject to following a few precautions.

Practice and benefits of hot stone massage

First of all, make sure the stones are at the right temperature. Too hot, they could be painful on certain sensitive parts of the body. The best test is therefore to take them for a few seconds in hand to ensure that the temperature is suitable.

For more fluidity, always use a massage oil . You can opt for a softening oil such as sweet almond or with a relaxing scent such as lavender, verbena or citrus.

To begin, it is strongly advised not to deposit the stones directly on the body, but to proceed with a classic massage with the hands in order to prepare the body to receive them. We can then absorb some of the heat from the stones with our hands and continue to do effleurages, kneading or rolling palpations.

Then, when the time comes to switch to hot stones, avoid starting at waist level on the side, as this is a very sensitive point to heat. It is better to start with strokes in the upper back and then gradually go down so that the person gets used to the heat.

On the practical side, the stones of small sizes will be mainly applied to the face and the feet, while the larger stones will correspond more to the large parts of the body and will be used to work the muscles.

A successful hot stone massage will be beneficial on many levels. It will calm the mind, allow you to release tension accumulated and stress by unblocking the knotted points of the body and will stimulate blood circulation .


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