The heat from the smooth stones applied to various parts of your body provides an experience that is both relaxing and indulgent.
Although this type of massage tends to cost more than others, it can be worth every cent. The price is often part of a hot stone massage package. A full body massage will definitely be more expensive than a massage to ease muscle tension. The cost will also depend on your location and the massage therapist working with you.
If you've been worrying about bills or deadlines lately, consider getting a hot stone massage. Beyond just soothing sore muscles, hot stone treatment has also been proven to decrease stress and anxiety. Why is that important? Stress and anxiety not only affect your mental health; they can also perpetuate physical ailments like tension headaches and insomnia. Hot stone massages offer relief on multiple levels. This type of body massage enhances circulation, eases tension, boosts your immune system, and soothes the nervous system.
If you want to boost your energy levels, for an upcoming workout or just a busy day at the office, massage therapy might be just what you need. Clinical studies have found benefits of using massage therapy. Hot stone massages effectively reduce fatigue because they stimulate circulation throughout the body, which increases the oxygenation of tissues and organs. It's also great for relieving stress and building up your stamina, two things that can keep you from reaching all of your health goals.
Hot stone massages are known to be a great way to relieve muscle pain and stiffness. Massaging certain pressure points with smooth stones can immediately ease some of your aches and pains. However, this type of massage is not just good for immediate relief, it's also known to help improve blood flow, which can allow your body more time to heal from injuries. Even if you're feeling fine today, it never hurts to get a preventative massage.
If you're on the go all day long, chances are you have developed some tight muscles or limited range of motion in some areas such as your hips, back, or shoulders. Hot stone massages offer an incredible way to increase flexibility so that you feel calm and less restricted in every aspect of your life. Muscle tissue massage helps to release tension that can cause your muscles to become stiff and sore. In addition, hot stones add a new level of relaxation, which can melt away the tension in your tightest parts, so you feel loose and limber once again.
Standard hot stone massage services usually cost between $75 and $120 per hour. Depending on which part of the country you're in, a single session can last anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes. If you opt for a package of sessions, you will receive a discount on your massages, typically 10-20% off each massage treatment. You can also add different enhancements to your session to make it even more relaxing. For example, to enrich a hot stone massage experience, an additional charge may be added for essential oils or hand warmers used in your service.
The more you can do before your massage to prepare your body, the better off you'll be during and after your treatment. Try to avoid eating a heavy meal two hours before your session at least. You want to make sure that food won't cause discomfort as the stones are placed on certain parts of your body. Also, if possible, schedule an appointment right before you're due for a day off. That way, once the massage is over, all you have to focus on is enjoying some relaxation time.
A hot stone massage can be very different, depending on where you go and the massage therapist performing the service. Some spas offer just a regular hot stone massage and do not add any additional enhancements to increase your comfort level. However, other spas will use heated basalt stones to help melt away tension in specific areas of the body, such as the neck and shoulders. In addition, many spas will include aromatherapy or essential oils in their massage sessions.
Typically speaking, a full-body session can last anywhere up to one hour and a half. If you're getting a relaxation massage that doesn't involve target pressure points, the treatment can go a bit longer, typically 90 minutes to two hours. If you'd like your massage session to include foot reflexology, expect the process to last around an hour and a half. Contact hot stone massage therapists in your area for a brief outline of the hot stones services included in a massage and how long each session takes.
A hot stone massage can be a bit more intense than a regular relaxation massage, but there are certainly people who enjoy the intensity of this type of session. The stones used in hot stone massages allow your muscles to relax so that tension is released and you feel less tightness in the areas where you carry stress. In addition to releasing physical tension, hot stones release emotional tension from your mind. You'll be surprised at how good it feels to have every ounce of stress released from your body after a session with heated basalt stones.
It is common for persons interested in massage therapy to ask, does a hot stone massage hurt? If a therapist uses very hot stones, they will hurt. As a trained therapist applies pressure on the soft tissues, you may experience some discomfort but not blown out pain.
If you consider the pressure too much or experience any pain, inform the massage therapists. If an unqualified person conducts the massage service, it may hurt.
Hot stone massage therapists may find it necessary to escalate a regular massage into a deep tissue massage. The heat from the hot stones allows the effects of the massage to go to a deeper level to ease tense muscles and damaged soft tissues.During or a few days after massage treatments, it's not uncommon to feel sore at the body parts that were manipulated. For more information on different types of massage therapy, take a look at the Health Direct website.