Hot rock massage is where the therapist heats smooth stones places them on your body while massaging other parts of the body. The heat penetrates the muscles releasing built up tension and allowing the massage therapist work more deeply and quickly.
Watch this video of a hot stone massage.
Hot stone massage was originally used by Native Americans to treat aching muscles. A recent revival of hot stones in massage is credited to Mary Nelson, a native of Tucson, Arizona. She trademarked her style of hot stone massage, called LaStone Therapy, which has a Native American spiritual component and requires training and certification.
A hot stone massage takes a lot of skill and sensory acuity on the part of the therapist.
Many therapists avoid doing hot stone massage because the hot stones are difficult to handle. Michelle Rowland has finesse and skill when it comes to using the hot rocks.
What Happens During a Hot Stone Massage?
Before you arrive, the stones are sanitized and heated to 120 – 150 degrees in water. The stones themselves are usually basalt, a black volcanic rock because they absorb and retain heat well. The stones are smoothed by natural forces in the river or sea.
Generally you will lay face down, and the therapist starts massaging your back. Using traditional Swedish massage the therapist warms up the body, then using the stone the masseur massages you. As the stone cools, the therapist replaces it with another. stones of various shapes and sizes are used for different parts and muscles on your body.
Heated stones in placed on specific points along your spine, in the palms of your hand, on your belly and sometimes even between your toes to improve the energy flow
Image via Wikipedia
through your body.
Call Michelle on Ph 02 43 33 1840 Mob 0415 963 623 for information if in the Central Coast/ Long Jetty area and looking for a Hot Rock or therapeutic massage
Related articles
- Link Title: Massage Techniques and Types: Swedish, Deep Tissue, and More (webmd.com)
- Massage Therapy: Beyond Touch (tfollowers.com)
