True to its name, hot stone therapy relies on stones that have been warmed to a temperature that can help reap optimum benefits when placed on different areas of the body. An all-natural form of massage, the hot stone treatment is generally done using stones collected from rivers. Alternatively, it can also make use of evenly-shaped basalt stones. As part of the hot stone massage session, the stones are warmed in disinfected, clean water prior to being used on the clients. In case of basalt stones, the high percentage of iron is the key in maintaining the rock’s temperature.

Hot stone therapy is a proven way to accomplish both mental and physical wellness. Be mindful, though, that you seek advice from your physician prior to receiving the hot stone treatment. This is because it is not recommended in certain situations, such as pregnancy or hypertension.

Here are some ways hot stone massage can be beneficial:

Eases the Muscles – The warmth emanating from the stones eases the stress in your muscles, making it possible for the therapist to reach deep into your muscular layers. If the muscles are too stiff, they can impact the effectiveness of the massage. With the help of hot stones, however, the muscles become relaxed, facilitating the process of massaging and healing tender tissues.
Helps in Healing the Pain – When it comes to offering pain relief from sore muscles, aching joints or any other physical ailments, each type of massage has its own benefits to offer. With their intensity, however, hot stone massages can prove to be even more effective than other types of massages. Since the hot stone therapy is designed to let the therapist reach into the depth of your muscle, clients often praise its ability to ensure general well-being to a greater degree, especially when compared to massages that do not make use of the warming technique.
Bear in mind, however, that you need to inform the massage therapists immediately if you find the stones too hot or in case the strokes they apply during a massage feel uncomfortable. Any soreness or uneasiness felt during the procedure can have a negative impact even after the session ends.

Enhances Blood Flow – Prior to the massage, the therapists usually position the warm stones on targeted areas of your body. The placement of the stones allows heat to enter into the depth of your muscles, which widens the blood vessels and improves blood flow throughout the body. Insufficient blood flow causes tiredness, which adds stress to the muscles as well as filling them with lactic acid and excess fluid. Improving blood flow allows muscles to receive a higher supply of oxygen, which is helpful in healing muscle soreness and discomfort.
Psychological Relief – Massages have been known to be beneficial to physical as well as mental health. The experience of getting a hot stone session can lead you to feel mentally relaxed and happy. In many cases, hot stone treatment has been found to benefit those suffering from a depressed or anxious state of mind. Although a massage session cannot replace conventional medicinal procedures or psychological treatments, it can still be essential to your recovery.

The conventional steps in a Swedish massage impart a variety of advantages towards your health and wellness. During the massage, the clients are asked to lie down on the massage table as the massage therapist stands over them and applies a number of strokes while working around their muscular layers. Combined with an overall feeling of well-being, this massage can effectively manage pain and even provide a cure for it.

Here are some advantages of a Swedish massage:

• Ensures General Wellness – According to the popular website Bodybuilding.com, the advantages of Swedish massage can be summarized in terms of the general feeling of comfort and serenity it offers. This massage can typically go on for 30 to 60 minutes, and touches upon the majority of significant muscle clusters. During the massage, a serene atmosphere is created around the clients while they lie on the comfortable massage table. As the massage therapist applies the required amount of pressure, it not only helps relieve the stress from each muscle at a time, but also alleviates any mental distress.
• Heals Pain – Massage therapy has been accepted by the Mayo Clinic as an effectual method of relieving pain. Swedish massages offer a flexible pain management solution. This means that the sessions can be performed to heal severe body pain resulting from conditions like osteoarthritis, or they can be employed for treating targeted areas like a sore back. As they push against the muscle, the massage therapists help improve chronic pain by enhancing blood flow and ensuring overall comfort.
• Improved Blood Flow – An article published in Bodybuilding.com attests to the fact that the massage technique employed in Swedish massage improves the circulation of blood, and speeds up the excretion process. During Swedish massage, the pressure applied follows the blood circulation. This is especially useful when the pressure is channelized in the direction of the heart, resulting in faster metabolism and expulsion of toxins from within the body.

As its name suggests, deep tissue massage reaches far beneath the fibrous tissues on the muscle surface. Due to its deep-rooted approach, this type of massage is also considered therapeutic for various aches and ailments. Its effectiveness is ensured by administering strokes slowly and firmly against the muscle.

Here are some benefits offered by the deep tissue massage:

Helps Manage the Severity of Pain – A study conducted by the University of Maryland Medical Center compared deep tissue massage with traditional medicinal treatments, and found its results to be more efficient, economical and long-lasting. The application of hard stroke encourages greater blood circulation in the body, which in turn provides relief from pain by minimizing inflammation.
In addition to that, deep tissue massage eases muscle stress and releases the tightness caused by severe pain.

Regulates Blood Pressure – Since deep tissue massage has been found to be extremely effective for de-stressing, it can prove to be helpful in regulating blood pressure as well. The University of Maryland Medical Center study showed a positive link between deep tissue massage and lowering blood pressure. As part of the study, individuals who received the massage reported an approximate 10.4mm Hg decrease in their systolic pressure and close to 5mm Hg decrease in their diastolic pressure.
Additionally, deep tissue massage can lead to a happier disposition and positive mindset by generating a hormone called serotonin in greater quantities.

Rebuilds Damaged Muscles – Deep tissue massage can be employed to rebuild damaged muscles. It promotes the healing process by encouraging the toxins to flow out of the muscle fibers. This is ascertained as the massage loosens tightly knotted muscles and relieves the tension. In fact, deep tissue massage is a commonly used method of curing injuries during sporting events.
Reduces Stress – Deep tissue massage is a ray of hope for people who lead a particularly stressful life and deal with the other problems caused by it, such as muscle tightness, stiff shoulders and stress headaches. With the massage digging deep into your muscles, you can let the relaxation kick in by putting your mind to rest. As you feel refreshed and rejuvenated, you will find it much easier to perform all your tasks, no matter how tough they may be.