What is Hot Stone Massage and How Does It Work?

What is hot stone massage?

Learn about the benefits of hot stone massage. For years, humans have used heat to relieve pain and it is nothing new. Hot stone massage is one of the methods of heat therapy that can help relieve muscle pain and relax after a stressful and tense day. In this article from the Airest blog, we have talked in detail about what hot stone massage is and its benefits and possible risks. So stay with us until the end of the article.

What is hot stone massage? Learn about the benefits of hot stone massage

Hot stone massage is a type of specialized massage therapy that uses smooth and warm basalt stones to relax and reduce tense muscles and damaged soft tissues. In this massage, the therapist places the smooth stones on specific parts of the body such as along the spine, palms, legs and between the toes. Of course, the stones are heated in hot water before use. As the stones warm up, the therapist massages your body with regular massage techniques such as circular movements, tapping and kneading.

Some massage therapists also hold the stones in their hands and use them to apply pressure and massage different areas of the body. This way, the therapist can go deeper into the muscles without too much pressure and help the customer to relax more. The main difference between hot stone massage and other types of full body massage is that hot stones are used during the massage therapy session. While in other massages, only the pressure of the hands is used to massage different areas.

As mentioned above, heat therapy has been popular among people for a long time and can help relieve many physical discomforts. This is also true for hot stones and they have many therapeutic benefits. Usually the stones that are used in this foreign massage are of a type of volcanic stones called basalt. Basalt stones are the most common stones used in hot stone massage, because they heat up quickly and retain heat well for a long time. Basalt stones are also rich in iron and are effective in treating many problems. Usually the massage stones are heated between 130 and 145 degrees before treatment and warm up.

Sometimes cold stones are also used in stone massage, which is called cold stone massage. Cold stones may be used after hot stones to calm swollen blood vessels and soothe the skin or to help detoxify and heal the body. Cold stones are also very useful for the face and reducing swelling around the eyes. However, it is not recommended to use cold stones on the joints, as it may cause rheumatism.

Evidence shows that the history of hot stone massage dates back to 2000 years ago and China. In fact, it was then that these stones were introduced as a relaxing element and then stone therapy spread throughout the world. Stone therapy is currently used in many different cultures, including America, Africa, Egypt and India, and is useful.

The benefits of hot stone massage are numerous and in recent years it has become a complementary treatment for many diseases. Below we have mentioned some of the benefits of this massage:

Muscles that are contracted and spasmodic can cause a lot of pain and disrupt daily life. Studies have shown that massage in general helps relieve chronic pain, but the added heat with hot stone massage can increase its benefits. Hot stone massage can help reduce inflammation and tension in skeletal muscles, muscle spasms and pain.

Heat and pressure of the stones allow the massage therapist to go a little deeper and help relieve pain. Also, the heat from the hot stones dilates your blood vessels and allows oxygen to reach the damaged muscles faster than other massages. This way, hot stone massage can help increase blood flow to the damaged area. Cold therapy also helps relieve inflammation. Depending on your symptoms, your massage therapist may alternate cold and hot stones during the massage.

Regular massage can reduce stress and anxiety in many cases. Especially if the massage is combined with hot stones, its benefits are multiplied and can greatly eliminate your symptoms and help reduce your stress.

Massage can also be a substitute for sleeping pills in adults. Research has shown that back massage improves relaxation and satisfying sleep and calms your mind and body.

Hot stone massage can also help improve painful conditions such as fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread and chronic pain. According to a study conducted in 2002, people with fibromyalgia who received 30 minutes of massage had reduced levels of substance P (a substance that plays a role in transmitting pain signals).

In another study conducted in 2013 on the effect of massage on pain, fatigue, stress and anxiety, nausea and depression in people with cancer, it showed that massage, especially Swedish massage, improves cancer symptoms.

Another important benefit of hot stone massage is strengthening the immune system of the body, which allows you to stay away from colds. According to a study conducted in 2010, a massage therapy session has a positive and severe effect on immunity. Blood samples taken before and after the massage showed a decrease in arginine-vasopressin, a hormone that helps regulate blood pressure.

Since hot stones are placed all over your body during treatment, including on and around the joints, they can improve your mobility and flexibility.

In the continuation of the article, what is hot stone massage, we have talked about its training and some common questions that are discussed around it.

Hot stone massage is not painful at all! The stones are warm, but not hot and their heat will make you feel comfortable. Your massage therapist will probably use special tools that are set to the exact temperature to heat the stones and this will prevent the stones from getting too hot and causing discomfort or burning.

However, hot stone massage is a bit deeper than Swedish massage, because the heat allows the muscles to relax and the massage therapist to apply more pressure to loosen the muscles and release any tension. But don’t worry, your massage therapist will always ask you about the depth and pressure of the massage and if you feel it is too much, you can simply tell him.

Despite the many benefits that hot stone massage brings, this method is not suitable for everyone. This massage may not be safe for some people and may have side effects. It is better to consult your doctor if you have the following problems.

Why are hot stones used during massage?

As we mentioned above, heat therapy has been popular among people for a long time and can help relieve many physical discomforts. This is also true for hot stones and they have many therapeutic benefits. Usually the stones that are used in this foreign massage are of a type of volcanic stones called basalt. Basalt stones are the most common stones used in hot stone massage, because they heat up quickly and retain heat well for a long time. Basalt stones are also rich in iron and are effective in treating many problems. Usually the massage stones are heated between 130 and 145 degrees before treatment and warm up.

Sometimes cold stones are also used in stone massage, which is called cold stone massage. Cold stones may be used after hot stones to calm swollen blood vessels and soothe the skin or to help detoxify and heal the body. Cold stones are also very useful for the face and reducing swelling around the eyes. However, it is not recommended to use cold stones on the joints, as it may cause rheumatism.

The history of hot stone massage

Evidence shows that the history of hot stone massage dates back to 2000 years ago and China. In fact, it was at that time that these stones were introduced as a relaxing element and then treatment with therapeutic stones spread throughout the world. Therapeutic stones are currently used in many different cultures, including America, Africa, Egypt and India, and are useful.

The benefits of hot stone massage

The benefits of hot stone massage are numerous and in recent years it has become a complementary treatment for many diseases. Below we have mentioned some of the benefits of this massage:

1. Relieving muscle tension and pain Muscles that are contracted and spasmodic can cause a lot of pain and disrupt daily life. Studies have shown that massage in general helps relieve chronic pain, but the added heat with hot stone massage can increase its benefits. Hot stone massage can help reduce inflammation and tension in skeletal muscles, muscle spasms and pain. The heat and pressure of the stones allow the massage therapist to go a little deeper and help relieve pain. Also, the heat from the hot stones dilates your blood vessels and allows oxygen to reach the damaged muscles faster than other massages. This way, hot stone massage can help increase blood flow to the injured area. Cold therapy also helps relieve inflammation. Depending on your symptoms, your massage therapist may alternate cold and hot stones during the massage.
2. Reducing stress and anxiety Regular massage can reduce stress and anxiety in many cases. Especially if the massage is combined with hot stones, its benefits are multiplied and can greatly eliminate your symptoms and help reduce your stress.
3. Treating insomnia Massage can also be a substitute for sleeping pills in adults. Research has shown that back massage improves relaxation and satisfying sleep and calms your mind and body.
4. Relieving symptoms of autoimmune diseases Hot stone massage can also help improve painful conditions such as fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread and chronic pain. According to a study conducted in 2002, people with fibromyalgia who received 30 minutes of massage had reduced levels of substance P (a substance that plays a role in transmitting pain signals). In another study conducted in 2013 on people with rheumatoid arthritis, it showed that participants in this study experienced less pain and more range of motion after one month of massage therapy.
5. Reducing cancer symptoms According to a study on the effect of massage on pain, fatigue, stress and anxiety, nausea and depression in people with cancer, it showed that massage, especially Swedish massage, improves cancer symptoms.
6. Strengthening the body’s immunity Another important benefit of hot stone massage is strengthening the body’s immune system, which allows you to stay away from colds. According to a study conducted in 2010, a massage therapy session has a positive and strong effect on immunity. Blood samples taken before and after the massage showed a decrease in arginine-vasopressin, a hormone that helps regulate blood pressure.
7. Increasing joint flexibility Since the hot stones are placed all over your body during the treatment, including on the joints and around them, they can improve your mobility and flexibility. The heat inside the stones relaxes the muscles and makes them more flexible.

In the continuation of the article, what is hot stone massage, we have talked about its training and some common questions that are discussed around it.

What is hot stone massage? Learn about the benefits of hot stone massage, Iran Jobs, the leading system for registering jobs in the country

Is hot stone massage painful?

Hot stone massage is not painful at all! The stones are warm, but not hot and their heat will create a pleasant feeling in you. Your massage therapist will probably use special tools that are set to the exact temperature to heat the stones and this will prevent the stones from getting too hot and causing discomfort or burning.

However, hot stone massage is a little deeper than Swedish massage, because the heat allows the massage therapist to apply more pressure to loosen the muscles and release any tension. But don’t worry, your massage therapist will always ask you about the depth and pressure of the massage and if you feel it is too much, you can simply tell him.

Who is not recommended for hot stone massage?

Despite the many benefits that hot stone massage brings, this treatment method is not suitable for everyone. This massage may be unsafe for some people and have side effects. It is better to consult your doctor if you have the following problems:

• Bleeding disorder or taking blood thinners
• Burning sensation on the skin
• Having a wound
• History of blood clotting
• Surgery in the past 6 weeks
• Fracture or severe osteoporosis
• Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
• Diabetes
• People with high blood pressure
• People with heart disease Migraine, rheumatoid arthritis
• People with recent experience of chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery
• Pregnant women