The use of hot stones for healing and bodywork can be traced back 5,000 years in India. They placed hot stones on the body to promote relaxation and pain relief. 3,000 years ago, Chinese healers placed hot stones on the abdomen to help with digestion. For centuries, indigenous people in Hawaii wrapped lava stone in leaves and placed them on the body for healing and relaxation.
Today massage therapists use hot stones to relax tense muscles and set the mood for deep relaxation. I try really hard to discern the wants of each client for their session along with being aware of what their body needs. Before I start a massage I take time to get my body and spirit ready to be intune with both. It takes some concentration and intentional calming to achieve this. Being intentional with massaging has helped me connect with my clients on a personal level which is more effective in releasing the emotional and physical tightness in my clients body.
I also treasure the time I take to hunt for hot stones on the property where the massage office is located. The energy of the land is so healing and calming. Being able to find the right type of basalt stones is a very spiritual process. I imagine all the things that these stones have “lived” through. I imagine the people who may have passed by them and the animals and plants that have shared moonlight and fresh air with them. Being able to imagine that when I use these stones on my clients, I am transferring the healing energy of the earth into their bodies is one of my favorite things to do while using the hot stones.
While hot stones are traditionally used in relaxing massage, I like to use them in deep tissue massage. I combine the pressure and heat to perfectly loosen those stubborn muscles and knots.Typically, basalt stones are used in massage because they hold heat really well. The heat from the stones can really help loosen up some of the more stubborn muscles. It would take me several minutes to do what the hot stones do in mere seconds. The heat melts away the tension like a block of butter on a hot roll. While hot stones are traditionally used in relaxing massage, I like to use them in deep tissue massage. I combine the pressure and heat to perfectly loosen those stubborn muscles and knots.
There are some things to be careful of when giving and receiving a hot stone massage. When giving one, it’s important to make sure the stones aren’t too hot. Burning someone would most definitely make the wrong impression and it would be the opposite of relaxing. For anyone with diabetes, blood clots, cancerous tumors, heart problems, varicose veins, or for someone who is currently pregnant, it’s recommended to consult one’s doctor and let your massage therapist know before getting a hot stone massage.
If after reading this you are thinking to yourself, “I want to try hot stone massage”, check out my schedule at
https://www.coalescencehealth.com/services/massage
You deserve to connect with an ancient healing practice to promote relaxation and rejuvenation in your body today!
