For most people, getting a massage is an act of self-care, and for others, a stress-busting experience that will reset you after a long exhausting week.
When you’re feeling sore, stressed, and mentally tired, the simple thought of getting a massage, especially if you have an existing relationship with a therapist, can elicit a calming effect, decreasing your stress levels even before your lay down on their table.
The term ‘massage’ is quite broad, as there’s a myriad of modalities to consider, each designed to help heal your body woes and offer you numerous health benefits. One of the most popular and highly beneficial therapies is hot stone massage.
Hot stone massage involves using smooth and heated stones that warm and relax your muscles.
Suppose you are sleep-deprived or suffer from insomnia, consider hot stone therapy as an alternative sleep aid. This therapy will help ease your stress and body aches.
What Are The Benefits of Hot Stone Massage?
The heat and weight of the stone help you relax and re-energize. A hot stone massage is especially beneficial for people suffering from muscle spasms and joint inflammation. The heat from the rocks warms tense muscles, helping to release the tension, melting away your soreness.
The heated stones are thought to align the chakras that stimulate the organs and nervous system while also improving your body’s physiological functions.
A hot stone massage is also great for helping to expand blood vessels, enhancing your blood circulation. It is ideal to have a hot stone therapy when you feel sluggish to improve your energy levels.
Now that you are aware of the benefits of considering hot stone massage therapy; let’s understand,
How To Prepare Hot Stones for Massage
Step 1: Finding The Right Stone
These days, you will find various hot stone massage kits for sale online, like models from Amethyst Lake, Zabrina, Therapist’s Choice, and June Fox. However, finding them in your surroundings sounds fun and exciting.
One of the key pointers to keep in mind is to look for stones that are not alkaline, such as limestone.
Here are some of the best stone for your DIY hot stone massage therapy:
- Quartzes (amethyst, citrine, or agate)
- Granite
- Hematite
- Himalayan Pink Salt
- Jade
- Lava Rock
- Limestone
- Marble
- Shale
- Slate
You can also consider igneous basalt stones, which are pretty popular among massage professionals. Regardless of your stone type, make sure that they are round, flat, and smooth. The size of the stone depends on your preference; If you are looking for great accessibility and handy, choose palm-size rocks; however, if you’re looking for a deep tissue massage, choose heavy stones.
Step 2: Cleaning Massage Stones
Before using the stone for massage therapy, always clean them properly.
Start by soaking them in clean water and gently rubbing the dirt off the surface. For deep cleaning, use a stiff brush and then rinse clean.
Use hydrogen peroxide if you have chosen the stone from an area where bacteria or algae may have been present and soak them thoroughly. If you don’t have that, use the classic vinegar/water solution to eliminate any bacterias, algae, and dirt on the surface.
Pour your cleaning solution into a bucket and let the stones sit in it overnight. The next day pick up the rocks from the solution, scrub them, and rinse well.
Now fill the bucket with clean water and let the stone sit overnight again. Once the rocks are thoroughly soaked after a few days, remove and dry them with an old towel.
Use a rock polisher or apply a light coating of coconut oil to ensure the stones are smooth. Several beauty salons in Epping use coconut oil for hot massage therapy as it is less likely to go rancid. Gently rub the polisher or oil onto the rock, and then polish it off.
How To Do Hot Stone Massage
Lie flat on your stomach. You’ll need to ask someone else to help you place the hot stones along the center of your back or on either side of your spine, with one stone above each shoulder blade, as well.
You can either leave the hot stone just at the place for 20 minutes or ask the person to gently rub it over the specific area on your body and massage it.
A relaxing and re-energized feeling is guaranteed!
For a more thorough step-by-step guide for doing hot stone massage, check out this article by wikiHow.
