| A hot stone massage is not just about the hot | | | | Today when we use the term "massage," we |
| stones. Indeed, the hot stones play an integral | | | | often are referring to a Swedish massage. A few |
| part of the process. The specially heated stones | | | | hundreds years ago, experts developed the |
| can provide an array of benefits, such as | | | | Swedish massage style. The therapist uses long, |
| increased blood circulation, reduction of pain, and a | | | | smooth strokes to rub the body's muscles. These |
| loosening of muscles. However, think of the hot | | | | strokes move in the path of blood that is moving |
| stones in a hot stones massage, as the | | | | back towards the heart. Extra methods include:o |
| "warm-up." After removing the stones from the | | | | bendingo circular pressureo kneadingo |
| patient, you may start one of an array of | | | | percussion-like tappingo stretching |
| massage styles, including: | | | | The therapist typically uses lotion, to activate the |
| 1. Shiatsu Massage | | | | skin and to lower the amount of abrasion |
| People also refer to this type of massage, as | | | | between the therapist's hands and the patient's |
| acupressure (not to be confused with | | | | skin. |
| acupuncture). Shiatsu is based on the meridian | | | | 4. Trigger Point Massage |
| system in traditional Chinese medicine. In Shiatsu, | | | | Trigger Points are compact regions inside muscle |
| the therapist uses his or her fingers, thumbs, and | | | | tissue, which create pain in other regions of the |
| palms, to apply pressure to particular regions on | | | | body. The type of pain can vary. It can be dull or |
| the patient's body. The patient indicates these | | | | sharp. Injuries or overusing muscles can cause |
| problematic areas prior to the beginning of the | | | | trigger points. |
| massage session. Shiatsu includes various | | | | A Trigger Point massage attempts to reduce the |
| massage techniques, including squeezing, applied | | | | pain's source. The therapist uses cycles of remote |
| pressure, tapping, and rubbing. The goal, in line | | | | "pressure and release." Patients must perform |
| with traditional Chinese medicine, is to increase the | | | | deep breathing, determine precisely where the |
| flow of Qi (Chi) in the body. | | | | pain is, and gauge how strong it is. Trigger Point |
| 2. Sports Massage | | | | massage functions in releasing powerful |
| This type of massage is ideal for every type of | | | | endorphins and releasing toxins that exist in the |
| athlete in the world. The methods that the | | | | muscles. In fact, such massages frequently |
| therapist uses are based on the sport that the | | | | reduce pain after a single treatment! |
| athlete plays, and often zeros-in on certain body | | | | In a hot stone massage, the hot stones are just |
| parts. Therapists can give sports massages as | | | | the beginning. After loosening the muscles through |
| athletes prepare for competition, or recover from | | | | placement of the hot stones, the therapist can |
| it. Massages that therapists design for a particular | | | | proceed to one of several different massage |
| athlete can provide several benefits:o optimizes | | | | styles. Each of these methods includes special |
| athlete's competitiono increases enduranceo | | | | applications and methods. Before choosing which |
| boosts flexibilityo prevents injurieso lowers fatigue | | | | massage method to use, know what the options |
| 3. Swedish Massage | | | | are! |