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How Does a Hot Stone Massage Work?

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When it comes to massage therapy, a number of different techniques are available to choose. The use of hot flat stones is an alternative kind of medicine that has been used since time immemorial. It is said that Native Americans were the first using warm stones for therapeutic purpose and only about two decades ago the practice was rediscovered in the southwest. This kind of massage is said to be very relaxing and comforting. Hot stone massage is different that it needs a more gentle touch and sometimes the therapist may just position the hot stones without even touch you. A nice hot stone massage can restore balance while giving you a luxurious experience regardless you are seeking for a remedial treatment to address pain or a relaxing full body massage. It means working smarter rather than working harder. Alternating hot and cold has been known as a working technique to promote the body's healing processes for long time. Heat can reduce muscle tightness, increase circ

Introduction to Hot Stone Massage Therapy

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Hot stone massage with the use of water-heated stones to heat and massage your body has become increasingly popular over the past few years. This use of heated water to treat the body, called thermal hydrotherapy, deeply relaxes your muscles and relieves stress. Most massage therapists use basalt stones, because they are non-porous and smooth and retain heat longer than other types of stones. These beautiful stones come in various sizes. The massage therapist positions larger placement stones in one spot on the body for an extended time, while using smaller tooling stones to perform specific massage strokes. The strokes are generally slow and gentle, in a way that many people find grounding, comforting, and calming. Some massage therapists use hot stones for energy work by placing them along the body's meridians (energy lines) or on the chakras (energy points). Placing the stones at these key points can stimulate movement of the energy known as qi or chi and help releas

What Is Massage Therapy?

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Massage therapy is a form of alternate medicine that has been around for thousands of years in the Far East. It is a therapy in which the fingers, the thumb, the elbows and even the feet are used to put pressure on designated parts of the body.   Massage therapy relieves muscle pain and tension, increases mobility and flexibility, helps clear waste material such as lactic acid that is the cause of stiffness and pain in the muscles and the joints. There are many kinds of massage therapy and ten of the most popular ones are listed below. 1. Swedish Massage Therapy: The most popular and common kind of massage in the United States. It is also known as simple massage therapy. The massage is primarily meant for relaxation. 2. Aromatherapy Massage: This is basically a form of therapy wherein one or more plant oils or essential oils that have a pleasant aroma are added to the massage. The type of oil that is used depends on the ailment that the individual is suffering from. 3.

Back Pain and Massage Therapy

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Back pain has many possible causes, ranging from chronic muscle tension to disc problems to tumor or infection. Although some conditions are serious, requiring prompt medical treatment, a lot back pain results from stress, tension, and strain that can be helped by massage therapy. Anatomy of the Spine To understand some of the conditions that can lead to back pain, take a look at the anatomy of the spine. Bones called vertebrae make up the bony spinal column. The vertebrae stack on top of each other, separated by jelly-like cushions called intervertebral discs. Adjacent vertebrae are connected by ligaments at the facet joints. Plus, many muscles surround, support, and move the spine. Massage for Back Pain Although massage is not appropriate in some circumstances, such as tumor, infection, or stress fracture, a lot of back pain is due stress, tension, strain, sprain, and other factors that massage therapy can help. Muscle tension is a part of most back pain. Even with