Hot Stone Therapy

Modern salons and clinics practice beneficial effects on the body with hot (volcanic basalt) and cold stones. A separate direction is the use of semi-precious minerals: onyx, amethyst and others.

Although massage with hot stones is one of the main elements of stone therapy, in this article we will separate these concepts. Let’s talk not about describing the treatment of specific somatic diseases, but about the relaxing, restorative and cosmetic effects of dynamic exposure to stones. We will talk about facials, general massage and anti-cellulite programs.

The effectiveness of even a single session is explained by a whole set of mechanisms involved in its implementation. Among them:

• deep-pointed heating;
• cryoprocedure (when using cold stones);
• temperature contrast effect;
• work with reflex zones;
• mechanical massage (rubbing, kneading, squeezing, vibration);
• accompanying methods of relaxation: relaxation atmosphere, music, aromatherapy.

To the listed six factors it is worth adding the seventh one – metaphysical. Stone, according to ancient philosophy, is endowed with its own energy. Knowledge of these properties and corresponding areas on the body helps to adapt the procedure for a particular patient and prescribe the right therapy for each ailment.

As a result of the complex impact on the body, the following processes take place:

• acceleration of blood circulation and lymph movement;
• delivery of oxygen to tissues and organs;
• improvement of the autonomic system;
• activation of metabolic processes;
• stimulation of immune reactions;
• relaxation of muscles, relieving spasms and hypertonicity.

Thus, stone massage allows you to achieve the following results:

• attractive appearance of the skin: healthy color, smoothness, elasticity;
• shape modeling through the activation of metabolic processes in the subcutaneous fat;
• reduction of edema;
• facilitating the adaptation of the body, increasing immunity;
• relief of physical and emotional fatigue;
• reduction of muscle and joint pains;
• improvement of well-being and mental condition.

Hot stone massage is one of the best relaxation procedures. It helps get rid of stress, anxiety, irritability, to overcome the effects of stress and depression, normalize sleep, lift your spirits.

It is successfully used in conjunction with psychotherapy sessions in the treatment of neuroses and conditions called chronic fatigue syndrome.

Nevertheless, this procedure has some contraindications. Hot and hand massage is not recommended in violation of the integrity of the skin, acute course of various diseases, high temperature, high blood pressure, oncology. Cold and contrast massage is contraindicated in pathologies of the kidneys, thyroid gland, as well as pregnancy, diabetes, hypertension and epilepsy.

Types of Stones and Accessories

For hot stone massage, basalt is most often used. This is a light porous rock of volcanic origin. The stones are flat, oval or round, which are pleasant to the touch. The size of the stones varies depending on their purpose. Smaller pieces can be placed between the toes. Basalt is good at retaining and releasing heat, it is heated in a special furnace to 55 degrees (up to 70 degrees for therapeutic purposes). If the temperature of the stone decreases to 44 degrees during the massage, it is replaced by another one and heated again.

Types of Stones for Massage

Heated basalt is often combined with white marble cooled to 0-10 degrees. Up to 40 hot and 20 cold stones may be used in one treatment.

Japanese facial massages are done with jadeite. This is a hard mineral that is well processed. Therefore, not only massagers are made from it, but also SPA benches, table tops, and floor and wall tiles. Facial cosmetic treatment is performed with small evenite discs with a hole in the middle and sticks made of the same material. Depending on the task at hand, they can be cold or heated in an oven.

Jadeite Stones

Different types of natural semi-precious stones are used in stone therapy. These include rose quartz, carnelian, blue chalcedony, malachite, agate, black jade (bianchite), aventurine, amber and others. These minerals can have an irregular shape and are used to influence the chakras.

Some practitioners use very unusual tools. For example, stones collected in places where meteorites fell.

You can buy basalt and marble for massage in our nearby massage center. The price of the set depends on its composition. Professional accessories include ovens that heat the basalt evenly and maintain its temperature, and allow you to sterilize the tool. Manipulations with the stones are simplified by special grids, bags and gloves.

Stone massage – one of the elements of this Spa-pleasure. It can be combined with a visit to the sauna, various skin care and transformation programs.