Hot Stone Massage: A Slate of Benefits

Hot stone massage is a natural therapy in which warmed stones are positioned on parts of our client's body of to maximize the therapeutic benefit. The stones used are usually river rocks or other very smooth-surfaced stones made of basalt. What is basalt?  Our therapists chose stones with basalt because of the high iron content in basalt, helping the stone retain heat during the massage. Hot stone massages are beneficial on many levels, physical and psychological

How’s It Done?

During a hot stone massage, smooth, flat, heated stones are placed on specific parts of your body. The stones may be placed along your spine, stomach, chest, fact, palms and feet and toes.  Our massage therapists may hold they heated stone and also use Swedish massage techniques such as long strokes, circular movements, vibration, tapping and kneading.  

Who is it for?

Anybody suffering from stress and anxiety, pain, or in the need for better circulation.  

What are the benefits? 

• Relief from Stress/Anxiety.  Just about everybody suffers some stress from daily event and responsibilities.  The American Massage Therapy Association has stated in the past that massage therapy can be effective for stress relief. Studies back that up.  A 2001 study showed that a ten-minute massage improved cardiovascular responses such as stroke volume. 

• Pain relief.Because of the intense nature of hot stone relief, this type of massage may show greater relief than other types of massages.  Hot stones allow the therapist to penetrate deeper, leaving you feeling physically better.  Deeper massage is enable because of the added benefit of heat.     

Improved circulation

Because the heated stones rest on trigger points in your body, the heat from the stones penetrate into your deeper body tissues, resulting in improved circulation.  If you have poor circulation it can lead to fatigue, tense muscles and a buildup of fluid and lactic acid in your muscles.  Higher circulation gives you more oxygen to your muscles, easing your aches and pains. 

McHenry Massage we believe that while massage may seem like a luxury that we dismiss because we feel we do not deserve it, it is necessary regularly for us to keep our balance in life. A massage can be a great way to pamper yourself, but it can also help alleviate or sometimes even cure those ailments that you deal with regularly. Contact us today to speak to one of our certified therapists about your needs.  Call us: (815) 385-8190.