The Hot Stone Massage - What Is It And How Does It Work?

The hot stone massage will probably never replace the typical full body massage as the most popular, but it is gaining ground among those seeking a relaxing massage.

This is a relatively new technique that was developed in Sweden. As you might guess from the name, it involves using a variety of hot stones at different points and places during the massage procedure.

The full body massage or the therapeutic massage generally involve someone putting pressure on your muscles with their hands and rubbing away the stress and tensions of the day. Sometimes the pressure can be painful. A hot stone massage on the other hand is more gentle. In fact in some instances the massage therapist may never even put his hands on you. Some people are extremely sensitive to a hard rubbing massage. There's no reason these people shouldn't still enjoy the deep muscle relief a massage can provide. A hot stone massage makes this possible.

It's difficult to describe exactly how a hot stone massage works because every one is different. A lot depends on the person giving it the massage, and the needs of the person receiving it. However there are a few things that remain constant in all hot stone massage techniques. The first is the type of stone. Basalt stones are used because they are great at retaining heat and staying hot for long periods of time. These stones are generally heated to around 120 degrees Fahrenheit and will keep that temperature throughout the massage.

The stones are then placed on your body depending on weight of the stone. Lighter ones will be placed on your appendages and heavier stones, sometimes weighing up to 5 pounds, will go on your torso. But it's not just about the stones, the therapist plays a role in this procedure as well. However his role depends on both his preferences and yours. Instead of rubbing your body with his hands, the therapist will generally rub your body with a stone in his hand. Very little pressure is applied except on muscles or areas that tend to be more tense. Otherwise it is just a simple and smooth gliding of the stone across various areas of your body.

The results vary, however there are many people that swear by the hot stone massage, making it the only massage they will ever get. If you tend to be a little sensitive to a standard full body massage, or if you just want to try something different, this is definitely a massage worth trying out. Who knows, it may become the massage you choose all the time as well. If not, you can always go back to the typical body massage.