A hot stone massage therapy is used to help you relax and ease tense muscles and damaged soft tissues throughout your body.
During a hot stone massage, smooth, flat, heated stones are placed on specific parts of your body – spine, stomach, chest, face, palms, feet and toes. The stones (heated to 130-145 Celsius degrees) are usually made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock that retains heat. Usually, the massage is 90 minutes long.
Your therapist may hold a stone as they massage different parts of your body using Swedish massage techniques with gentle pressure. Sometimes, cold stones are also used.
Anyone who is experiencing muscle tension and pain, insomnia, or stress may benefit from a hot stone massage. Hot stone massages may help:
- Relieve muscle tension and pain
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Promote sleep
- Relieve symptoms of autoimmune diseases
- Decrease cancer symptoms
- Boost immunity