Hot stone therapy is a type of massage that implements heated stones in the therapeutic process. The massage therapist places the heated stones on pressure points over the body. Proponents of this type of massage feel that it increases the benefits of a massage session. Many massage therapists also use essential oils during the massage, which they think aids in relaxation and stress reduction.
Opens Energy Pathways
Proponents of hot stone massage think that placing heated stones along the meridians of the body will open up energy pathways. There is little scientific evidence to back up these claims.
Eases Muscle Tension
The practitioner heats the stones used in hot stone massage to at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit and up to 150 degrees. Temperatures over 130 degrees increase the risk of burns. Applied to tense muscles and used in conjunction with traditional massage, the heat from hot stones helps to encourage the muscles to relax. It is difficult to relax if you are in pain, however, so tell your massage therapist if you find the stones uncomfortably warm.
Reduces Pain
Pain caused by sitting in front of a computer all day or driving long distances may be reduced through hot stone massage therapy. Some massage therapists provide an alternative to hot stone therapy known as cold stone therapy. This is beneficial for new injuries where cold therapy can reduce inflammation.
Considerations
Massage therapy, like many types of alternative therapy, is not widely studied by the health care industry. For this reason, it is impossible to say precisely what the benefits of hot stone therapy are. People with a variety of maladies, such as multiple sclerosis and arthritis, report benefits from hot stone therapy. Unfortunately, there is little medical evidence to back up these claims. Fortunately, there is little cause for concern about dangers associated with hot stone therapy, so if it is something that you are interested in, it makes sense to try it. The main concern professionals such as Judy Ford, the director of education for Nature's Stones, have is that the therapist doesn't allow the stones to get too hot. The massage therapist should feel comfortable picking up the stone and holding it in her hand before placing it on your body. Stones that are too hot to pick up this way may lead to burns.
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