Hot Stone Therapy in Westport CT is a feature of massage that involves placing smooth, heated stones on the body. It can be utilized with many massage modalities as an adjunct to the hands-on therapy. Most commonly, the person lies face down on the massage table, and the practitioner places these stones on the back, where they send relaxing warmth through stressed muscles. The objects used in this massage commonly consist of volcanic rock, as that substance can hold heat for a long time.
General Benefits
Hot Stone Therapy in Westport CT has numerous benefits for the clients. The warmth boosts circulation to muscles, which helps strained tissue heal more quickly. The heat reduces stress and tension and even has pain-relieving properties.
Chronic Painful Conditions
Therapists particularly like to use this massage technique for clients with painful conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. These individuals may not be able to tolerate a deep-tissue massage, but having the warm, smooth stones placed on their skin does not aggravate their ongoing discomfort. The objects provide gentle ongoing pressure instead of the more intense experience when the therapist’s hands are kneading and rubbing. For these patients, the therapy can decrease pain, increase flexibility and even help them sleep better.
Acupressure Meridians
A therapist at a spa such as New Beauty & Wellness may place the stones on areas of the back known as acupressure meridians. In the practice of acupressure, these areas are considered to be pathways connected to each other and to organs throughout the body. Energy circulates through the meridians, and massage as well as hot stone therapy is intended to eliminate energy blocks, so the body is better able to heal.
Considerations Before and After the Therapy
Before the therapy, it’s best to avoid eating a heavy meal or drinking any alcohol. To fully relax, abstaining from caffeine for several hours also is advisable. Most people prefer to have this kind of massage at the end of the day when they don’t need to return to work since they want to continue enjoying the soothing serenity they feel. Find more information about hot stone therapy online.
