6 Super Benefits Of Hot Stone Massage

A hot stone massage is an excellent way to release tension from the muscles and it has a calm and soothing effect on the human body.
Originally used in the past by Native Americans, a hot stone massage was comprised of placing several basalt volcanic stones, heated on fire, on the sore parts of the body. Now of course we don’t use fire or volcanic stones, but the concept is the same!

The stones can be placed along your back (spine area), torso, chest, feet, palms and toes.
Sometimes a hot stone massage can be alternated with a cold stone massage to help reduce the redness and engorgement of the vessels across the body.

Benefits of a Hot Stone Massage

As mentioned, hot stone massages are a massage therapy that comes under the category of alternative medicine. This type of massage has been raved about by celebrities! Here are some of the additional medical benefits of getting a hot stone massage:

1. Helps Relieve Muscle Tension and Pain

As mentioned before, a hot stone massage uses heated stones that are applied to different parts of the body. For decades preventive and healing medicine practitioners have told us about the benefits of applying heat to a sore part of the body. The stones retain heat for longer periods of time. The heat from the stones not only reduces pain and muscle tension, it also improves joint mobility and range of motion. Heat also stimulates blood flow to the sore area thus encouraging healing. A hot stone massage can be combined with a cold stone massage to receive added benefits of anti-inflammation.

2. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

This comes as no surprise, as well all know the refreshing and soothing feeling we get after a massage. Various studies have concluded that shortly after a massage, the person feels a heightened sense of calmness and relaxation. A massage therapist stimulates the pressure points of one’s body that instantly relieves pain and muscle tension. Studies have also shown that people who are undergoing a surgery right after a massage therapy are less anxious and experience lesser amounts of pain post-surgery. Overall post massage, the human body is able to handle any kind of stressors more efficiently.

3. Promotes Better Sleep

Did you know that studies have concluded that massage therapies can be a great substitute for sleeping pills if one suffers from insomnia? Great news right! Aside from adults and children, infants too can benefit from back massages, a study concluded that even a 15 minute massage session can stimulate one’s sleeping cycle. Hot stone massage therapy, coupled with heating properties of the stone and circular massaging techniques can promote restorative sleep and enables one to wake up more energized, positive and alert.

4. May Help Decrease Cancer Symptoms

A study has concluded that this particular massage particularly the Swedish method has helped cancer patients in managing signs of depression, anxiety, pain, nausea and insomnia. Massage therapies have shown to benefit patients even in advanced stages of cancer. Research has backed that the human touch coupled with the calming and heating properties of the stone during a massage is what brought massive improvement in the patient’s overall wellbeing.

5. May Help Relieve Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases

After thorough research, it has been concluded that hot stone massages can greatly alleviate symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune condition that causes widespread chronic pain. A study showed that patients who received a 30 minute massage suffered from less pain, lesser trigger points and better quality of sleep. They also concluded that these patients had smaller quantities of Substance P (a natural neurotransmitter in the body that signals pain to higher centers) as opposed to patients who received only relaxation therapy.

6. May Boost Immunity Levels

As already mentioned, massages help alleviate stress levels and decrease the production of stress hormones in the body. In short, massage enables the body to cope well with its stressors. A study concluded that a single session of a Swedish massage helps boost immunity levels and decreases ongoing inflammation in the body. It also reduces levels of Vasopressin, a hormone that regulates blood pressure and salt water retention.

In conclusion, the hot stone massage greatly benefits individuals who experience long standing chronic pain. I hope that in today’s read you may have found many reasons to book your own appointment very soon. Make sure to consult a doctor beforehand.