At Soul City, we offer a variety of massage treatments, including the ever-popular hot stone massage.

A registered massage therapist who performs hot stone massage treatments uses large, flat basalt stones heated in water that has been heated to between 51.6666 to 57.2 degrees Celsius (125 and 135 degrees Fahrenheit).

An individual who is receiving the hot stone massage typically lies on his or her stomach and the stone are placed at different places along his or her back. A popular placement is along the spine, although the therapist may place them elsewhere, particularly in places where muscles are particularly tight and painful. Popular locations for hot stone placement include the hands and along the back and shoulders. This type of massage treatment is often used in order to relieve stress and even chronic pain.

The hot stone treatment is often combined with another protocol, typically a full-body Swedish massage. Combining hot stone protocols with a full body massage provides a very healing and relaxing experience. In this massage method, the heat from the stones helps the muscles to relax and makes it easier for a massage therapist to probe the deeper levels of muscles, with less discomfort or pain for the individual receiving the massage. The blood vessels expand, improving circulation. The heat and improved circulation can have an effect some call almost “sedating.” After a period of time, the therapist removes the cooled stones from the patient’s back and begins using massage techniques common to Swedish massage: the long strokes of effleurage, followed by petrissage, or kneading of the muscles in particular.

Hot stone treatments are different than the traditional massage technique in that instead of using massage strokes vertically along muscles, the RMT applies the massage in horizontal techniques, which often increase a patient’s levels of relaxation by increasing blood flow. The stones are never applied directly to a customer’s skin, but on the top of a sheet covering the affected area, in order to reduce the potential of a burn from the heated rocks.

Benefits of hot stone massage:

• • Individuals who suffer from carpal tunnel, fibromyalgia, arthritis and other chronic conditions have felt relief from their pain after a hot stone massage.
  • Individuals suffering from even common medical minor medical issues, like headaches or bruises might even feel relief after a hot stone massage.
  • Clients have reported decreased pain and muscle spasms.
  • Clients have reported a reduction in chronic stress and tension after a hot stone massage.
  • Clients have reported that they have improved ease of movement and overall mobility. This occurs because the massage helps to increase the flexibility of the client’s joints.
  • Clients will find that this type of massage relieves pain and tension created by relaxing muscles that are tense and tight, or have been strained.
  • Many clients report a reduction in anxiety and a strong feeling of calm and well-being.

Warnings to consider

There are a few situations where hot stone massage may not be the best solution for some clients, according to the American Massage Therapy Association. Typically, these are individuals who suffer from conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, autoimmune dysfunction, neuropathy, pregnancy, and minor skin conditions. Individuals who are recovering from surgery or accidents should also avoid hot stone massage, says the AMTA.

Origins of hot stone massage

Several sources note that elements of hot stone massage have been around for thousands of years, and were particularly used by Native Americans in order to heal the body and drive infections away.

If a hot stone massage sounds like something you can benefit from, contact us at Soul City today to schedule an appointment today.