Hot and Cold Stone Massage
History
Stone therapy or stone massage was present in many cultures around the world. This therapy with records of its use, dating back for over 2000 years has the means of improving the function of internal organs as well as for heating our homes to sacred rituals of whether to build temples and pyramids.
What it is?
Stone therapy is a deeply relaxing treatment, which combines a massage with use water-heated smooth basalt stones and cold marble stones to tone, stimulate and rejuvenate the body as a whole. Hot and cold temperatures from the stones are able to penetrate the body up to a depth of 4 cm.
Benefits of hot stone massage:
- release physical tension
- improves circulation
- balances digestion and waste removal
- boosts immunity
Benefits of cold stone massage:
- reduces swelling, inflammation and redness
- refreshes facial muscles andtissues
- reduces histamine
- revitalizes energy levels
Using both techniques in one routine can be very beneficial healing due to increasing flushing rates within the body, which helps detoxify the body and bring it back into balance.
Hot stones = Basalt stones
These are dense volcanic stones, rich in iron and high in silica. They hold the heat for a longer time and release it slowly. The colour of the stones are grey when they are dry but they usually turn black when using an oil.
Cold stones = Marble stones
The marble used for the cold stones is less dense that the heated stones. They can draw heat from the body. These stones are white or light coloured and are formed beneath the seabed.
Contraindication:
Massage should not be done directly over bruises, wounds, tumours or fractures
- people with rashes and infectious skin disease
- immediately after surgery and immediately after chemotherapy or radiation
- people prone to blood clots, with heart disease, high blood pressure and overweight
- pregnant women
- varicose veins, cold is beneficial
