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| EveryBodies Massage Therapy |
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| Hot Stone Massage |
| What can I expect to experience in a hot stone massage? What kinds of stones are used? What are the benefits of hot stone massage? Are there any contraindications for hot stone massage? What is your training in hot stone massage? |
| Hot stone massage is a technique used in ancient cultures including native American healing practice. Hot (or cold) stones provide the benefits of thermal therapy with energy balancing properties. Thermal therapy, hot and cold, affects circulation and provides a method to reach deep tissue for healing. The targeted alternative hot/cold/hot/cold technique is beneficial for the treatment of acute and chronic injuries and conditions such as muscle spasms (acute) and osteoarthritis (chronic). |
| What can I expect to experience in a hot stone massage? Hot stone massage is classified under geo-hydrotherapy (geo - stone, hydrotherapy - water therapy). These designation are governed by the same principles as hydro-therapy (use of variable and/or alternating water temperatures). Hot stone massage is almost self descriptive. The technique combines massage with the application of heated and cooled stones over the entire body, including the face, hands and feet. The stones become extentions of the therapist's hands, almost "replacing " them. The working stones are moved in a continuous fashion and turned in the hands of the therapist periodically during massage to give the best heat, then "tucked in" around different locations by the clients body. Due to this fact the massage experience takes on an entirely different feeling than general massage. It invokes both a sensation of being sedative as a result of the warmth and a revitalizer from the contrasting cool. The response during a relaxation treatment has been described as reverie or a "dream-like" state, floating in and out of consciousness. What kinds of stones are used? Balsat stones are generally used by many practitioners for hot therapy. These are aged, volcanic rock smoothed by many years in rivers and oceans. I have an issue with removing Hawaiian sacred stones from the land. The stones I use are Mexican Beach Pebble Marine Stones all hand picked in shape and kind designated for various techniques and parts of the body. My toe stones are River Stones. |
| Basic Stone Set: |
| 38 Stones 17 Working Stones 2 Small Facial Working Stones 8 Small Toe Stones 1 Large Abdominal Placement Stone 1 Oblong Sternal Replacement Stone 2 Gluteal Placement Stones 7 Back Placement Stones |
| Anterior Bodywork: |
| 21 Stones 1 Abdominal Placement 1 Sternal Placement 2 facial 8 Toe 9 Working |
| Posterior Bodywork: |
| 17 Stones 2 Gluteal Placement 7 Back placement 8 Working |
| What are the benefits of hot stone massage? Since hot stones are used to massage the body, you receive the same benefits as a swedish massage, deep tissue masage and trigger point work. The added benefit is heat that penetrates the muscle and tendon providing deeper work with less pressure. The smooth texture of the rock and the heat provides dramatic stress reducing results. Many recipients go into a deep meditative state early in the session. Some benefits include: an increase in circulation and lymph flow: a lowered heart rate, therefore lower blood pressure: an increase in the release of endorphins: reduces pain, swelling and inflamation (with the use of cold stones): assists inalleviating acute and chronic problems. As for the therapist, it decreases the strains and injuries commonly caused to the thumbs and wrists. Are there any contraindications for hot stone massage? |
| Diabetes Neuropathy Peripheral Vascular Disease Uncontrolled Hypertention Fever Open Wounds or Skin Lesions Acute Inflammation Abdominal Stones during Pregnancy Sternal/Pectoralis Stones during Late Pregnancy or Lactation Any other condition which makes massage or heat applications inadvisable |
| What is your training in hot stone massage? I received training for Basics of Hot Stone Massage at the Iowa College of Natural Health in Ankeny, Iowa in June 2002 from Sherry L. Anderson RN LMT. |
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| Hot Stone Massage |