Most of us live very busy lives and the hustle and bustle of daily routine can leave our minds stressed and our muscles, aching, stiff and tight. If you are looking for a relaxing treatment to offer relief and a break from a hectic lifestyle, a hot stone massage may be the answer. At Bank Medispa in Hale, Cheshire, we now offer hot stone massage therapy to relax and revive aching and tight muscles and to offer a sense of wellbeing and calm.
A hot stone massage is a form of massage in which your Bank Medispa massage therapist places smooth, hot stones on the areas of treatment, such as the back or the legs. The practice of hot stone massage has been around for centuries and is thought to have originated thousands of years ago, from Ayurveda; the ancient Indian medical practice which takes a natural and holistic approach to physical health and mental wellbeing.
Hot stone massage therapy helps to reduce physical tension and pain, and assists in mindful relaxation. The stones used in this type of massage are typically basalt, volcanic rock, which is usually high in iron, allowing the stones to absorb heat. The heat comes from placing the stones in water, usually in a special massage stone heater, at a temperature of between 110˚ F and 130˚F, with the water completely covering the stones. This ensures that the stones are not too hot so as to burn the skin, but warm enough to offer the desired therapeutic effect.
The placement of the stones and massage technique will vary, according to your individual requirements and the various tissues and muscles needing therapy. For example, if you are experiencing lower back pain, your therapist may place the hot stones along your spine. Other common areas for treatment include the abdomen, chest, feet, palms, forehead and face. Massage techniques can include circular movements, vibrations, long strokes and kneading. Hot stone massage can be used in conjunction with other types of massage, such as Swedish massage.
The practice of using hot stones in massages and the induction of heat, leads to many health benefits, they can include:
There are a myriad of benefits that can be achieved through hot stone massage, from reducing anxiety, calming chronic headaches, assisting with digestive problems, healing injuries sustained during physical exercise, reducing fatigue and reducing the symptoms of depression. If you are experiencing physical or emotional stresses and strains you may well benefit from hot stone massage therapy. However, at Bank Medispa, before we can agree to treat you with this therapy, we will ask that you attend the clinic for a no obligation consultation and medical history check, to ensure there are no contraindications which might prevent or restrict the treatment from going ahead.
There are some physical conditions which can prevent or restrict a hot stone massage from going ahead. These include:
• Blood clotting disorders
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Recent surgeries
• Pregnancy
• Heart disease
• Neuropathy
• Osteoporosis
• Some skin conditions
Your Bank Medispa practitioner will advise you on how many treatments you may benefit from initially, in your no obligation pre-treatment consultation, however, as hot stone massage is completely non-invasive, requiring no time for recovery or downtime, you can regularly undergo these treatments to maintain and uphold your physical and emotional wellbeing.
Based in the heart of the Cheshire village of Hale, Doctor Ahmed opened his purpose-built, luxurious clinic to treat clients from all over the north-west of England and further afield. If you’d like to know more about massage at Bank MediSpa, please book a complimentary consultation with us today.