At this point, we cannot deny that life can be extremely stressful. Some may be suffering from intensive labour (e.g. working at a construction site), whereas others may be feeling the after-effects of sitting at a desk for the entire workday (e.g. at a call centre).

The type of pain will vary from issue to issue – but what we can’t deny is that a massage can be very efficient when it comes to taking away the pain. And a common massaging option has become the hot stone massage – a different yet very soothing kind of massage.

What Happens During a Hot Stone Massage?

Simply put, a hot stone massage is a kind of massage therapy. It’s efficient in allowing your body to relax, easing the tense muscles, as well as the damaged soft tissue that resides throughout your body.

During a hot stone massage, a few flat, smooth, heated stones are placed on specific parts of your body. Generally, these stones were made of ballast – a volcanic rock type that has the ability to retain heat. These rocks generally have a temperature going on between 130 and 140 degrees.

These stones are placed on areas such as:

• Along your spine (most commonly)

• On your chest

• On your stomach

• On your palms

• On your face

• On your toes and feet

A massage therapist might also hold the stones as they are giving you a Swedish massage (kneading, tapping, vibration, etc.). Cold stones may also be used after this kind of massage, to calm down the blood vessels and help soothe the skin.

Why Go for Monthly Hot Stone Massages?

There is no denying that massages can be good for us – but that being said, why should we add a hot stone massage in our routine? What are the actual benefits of that? Well, here is what this kind of massage brings to the table:

1. It helps relieve pain and muscle tension

When you have been stressing your muscles all day long, you are bound to feel a certain level of pain at the end of the day. Heat, in general, has the ability to reduce pain and muscle tension. It can also help increase your blood flow in the body.

Moreover, it can get rid of muscle spasms, increasing your range of motion, as well as your flexibility. This is because massages have the ability to decrease the water retention in your body – which is the actual reason why your muscles keep stiffening.

2. Reducing stress and anxiety

Stress comes at us from every different direction. If comes from our work life, where we are trying our best to do a good job – or it comes from our personal life, where we are struggling to perform in our “creating a family” goal. After all, we know that raising a child is a difficult task in itself.

In return, this can lead to a much stressed out life – with a higher chance of developing cardiovascular issues. A hot stone massage reduces the risk of strokes, as well as mental health problems. So, if you are feeling stressed, you might want to book a massage so that you may take the edge off.

3. It promotes sleep

In most cases, monthly massage works as well as a sleeping pill. Have you ever noticed how you always want to fall asleep whenever someone is giving you a massage? Well, this is because your muscles are so relaxed that you can’t help but go straight into snooze mode.

Plus, regular massage should help you sleep better and longer. Sleep makes you study better for improved exam results. It also helps you function properly throughout the day. So, if you are the kind of person that can’t seem to stay asleep, a massage might be a great solution for you.

4. It can help boost your immunity

According to a study done in 2003 by NCBI, simple massage therapy has great effects on the hormones, regulating your blood pressure and your water retention. Considering that both of these can help increase your immune system, it is understandable why a regular hot massage therapy session should help improve your health.

Plus, it’s a good excuse to warm yourself up during winter with hot stones. This is the time when you are most likely to catch a cold or an infection– which is why this might be a good opportunity for you to keep your immune system in check.

5. Reduces cancer symptoms

While a hot stone massage might not be able to prevent the actual apparition of cancer, it is still very efficient when it comes to relieving the symptoms. We all know that cancer patients can experience severe pain, stress, nausea, and overall an ill state of being.

However, as per the results of a medical journal from 2003, it is said that a massage can help decrease the symptoms substantially, allowing the cancer patient to have a more comfortable life during his or her treatment. In some cases, it might even help keep the disease progress under control.

Final Thoughts

If you are someone that regularly experiences muscle tension, pain, sleep irregularities, or other similar conditions, then you might be able to benefit from a hot stone massage. Bear in mind that these results will only begin to show once you start making the treatment a regular thing. This is why you should try to add these massages into your routine and do it at least once a month.

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Sarah Pelham is the Beauty & Wellness Expert for Bookwell.com.au, an online platform for instant bookings for hair, nails, beauty & massage appointments. For nearly four years Sarah has worked closely with hundreds of salon owners within the beauty and wellness industries. She has her finger on the pulse of new trends in this growing market.