What Are Hot Stones?

Hot stones are incorporated into most massage treatments, which helps ease sore and tense muscles, as well as damaged soft tissue. These smooth, flat, Volcanic Basalt stones are heated by water at a pleasant warmth, creating a soothing and relaxing massage. This method has been used for thousands of years and comes with so many health benefits.

How Do Hot Stones Work?

To prepare your muscles, a therapist may begin with a Swedish or Remedial massage. The heated stones are then placed on key points of the body, most commonly used along the spine. Hot stones can also be placed on other points of the body such as along your leg and in the palm of your hands. The localised heat and the weight of the stones, warms and relaxes the muscle. This allows added pressure that can further be applied on a deeper tissue layer, where it is harder to reach. This can mean less pain while rubbing away the knots!

What Are The Benefits Of Hot Stones?

Not only is Hot Stone Therapy one of the most relaxing experiences during your treatment, but is also encourages the body to detox and heal through increasing your lymphatic flow. This is why it is very important to drink plenty of water to flush out the toxins released from your muscles and to leave your body detoxified.

Adding Hot Stones to your massage treatment also promotes better blood flow through out the body by expanding blood vessels and allowing more oxygen to reach the muscle, giving more mobility and less tension. The heat from the stones takes you to a further point of relaxation, making it easier to work through the muscle, easing any tightness and discomfort. This method can result in improved quality of sleep, promoting increased energy and awareness afterwards.

What to Expect

To ensure that you get the best results from your treatment, here are a few things to consider during each step.

Before

Get ready to relax by having a nice warm shower, soothing the muscles prior to your treatment.

Avoid drinking caffeine and alcohol, and try not to eat anything for a few hours before your appointment.

Inform your massage therapist of particular needs and areas in which you would want more attention and pressure to be given to.

During

Focus on your breathing to encourage your body to relax and get the most out of your treatment.

It is important to communicate with your massage therapist during your treatment, letting them know to press lighter or softer to heat or cool down the stones or even to turn up the relaxation mix playing on the speaker.

After

Your body may feel tired afterwards as massage is like a workout for our muscles, so avoid going to the game or squeezing in an extra workout session right after your appointment. Instead, it is highly recommended to take a nap for an hour or so to let your body recover.

As highlighted earlier, drink plenty of water to flush the toxins released from your muscles.

It’s also normal to feel a bit emotional after a massage, making it important to take the time and listen to your body.

Is Hot Stone Therapy for you?

Now that you know what Hot Stone Therapy is and have looked through the benefits, you can decide what is best for you. To book your next appointment, you can click here or find our price list and more information in the selected treatments below. If you have any questions that hasn’t been answered in this article or want more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are happy to help with any enquiries you may have!