A hot stone massage may be the ideal answer for those suffering from muscle tension but not eager to subject themselves to the sometimes painful methods of a deep tissue massage. Using special stones, heated to between 50˚c and 80˚c, the massage therapist is able to relax the muscles and then work them without the need to apply as much pressure.

Hot stone massage therapy is now being offered in most spas throughout the world. Some of the benefits that are derived from this type of massage include the easing of back pain and sore muscles, increased circulation, reduced feelings of stress, anxiety, tension and even depression. Clients have reported a marked decrease in insomnia resulting from the deep relaxation achieved from these sessions.

So, how exactly are these hot stones used? Different practitioners will employ a combination of various methods. Often the client is instructed to sit up while the heated stones are placed in rows on the massage table and covered with a cloth. The client then lies back down with the stones pressing along the spinal column. The heat from the stones begins warming and relaxing the muscles. The therapist will also use the stones to apply pressure to muscle areas. Using the heated stones requires less pressure to relax the deeper muscles than what would be required through normal massage.

What many believe to be a relatively new technique has actually been practiced for thousands of years throughout India, Asia, the Hawaiian Islands and by our own Native Americans. There are references going as far back as 400 BC to the use of olive oil combined with hot stones for massage.

In the United States, the use of hot stones for massage gained popularity largely due to the work of Tucson massage therapist Mary Nelson in the early 1990′s. Relying on information she received from her Native American spirit guide, she said that she was intuitively led to use the stones in a method designed to open up the body’s Chakras or energy channels. Nelson further developed her technique and it became known as LaStone, which can only be performed by a certified LaStone therapist.

Stress and tension literally cripple many in today’s hectic, non-stop world and the level of relaxation achieved through hot stone massage can not be over-emphasized. However, as with all types of massage, the key is to find a well-trained and experienced massage therapist. A little research in the beginning will greatly enhance the many benefits available to you.

Massage has become widely recognized as beneficial on many levels. However, to make sure that you receive the most from your experience, it is necessary that you choose the right type. Contrary to what many believe, what might be your best choice one day is not necessarily the same on your next visit.

Anyone can benefit from a basic massage to reduce stress and for relaxation. There are times, though, when you may be suffering from an injury or health related condition. Certain types of massage are more effective depending on what exactly it is that you need at the time. It is highly recommended that you consult with your massage therapist and communicate any issues you might be having, such as an injury or illness. This will enable your practitioner to use their expertise to advise you on what method would do the most for you.

Centers which offer hot stone massage cite deep muscle and tissue relaxation as being the foremost reason their clients choose this form of therapy. Focusing heat on the muscle groups induces them to begin relaxing so that the massage therapist can perform the tissue manipulations without the need to use as much pressure as would be required otherwise.

Stress and tension held within tight muscles can create discomfort in some and extreme pain in others. Relaxing those muscles reduces stress, releases chemical toxins, lessens pain and discomfort and can improve circulation.

Your practitioner may also recommend the use of hot stones during massage if you suffer from a variety of other conditions, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, insomnia and depression. It should be noted that it is always advised that you consult with your primary physician when considering any sort of alternative health practice.

Massage, and hot stone massage in particular, can be a valuable tool in your quest to find balance amidst the onslaught of stressors in today’s non-stop world. The days of viewing relaxation techniques such as massage as luxuries are long gone. There are few things that will do more to enhance the quality of your life than to find ways to counteract and relieve stress. Scheduling regular sessions with your local massage therapist and including spa amenities in your vacation plans are habits that will pay dividends now and for the rest of your life.

Hot stone massage has been used throughout history but has only recently gained popularity in the spas and massage centers in the United States. For that reason many people are hesitant to this try this technique which, on the one hand sounds intriguing, while on the other creates some hesitancy.

This guide has been developed to educate readers on what exactly is hot stone massage, how it was developed, what benefits can be expected and how to choose a competent therapist. A little time spent in advance on research and understanding can result in huge dividends.

Different types of massage, including Swedish, deep tissue, shiatsu, sports, reflexology and other lesser known techniques will be explored and compared to the hot stone method of massage. Many practitioners of these other forms of massage are now incorporating the use of hot stones to further enhance the overall experience and benefits for their clients.

There are always those who want to know as much as possible about any subject that has caught their interest. For them we have provided a brief history on the use of hot stones in massage. There is also information devoted to the stones themselves; what they are made of, what constitutes the right type of stone and how they are cared for.

Despite the many and varied benefits, not everyone is a good candidate for hot stone massage. Included in this guide is a list of the more common physical conditions that make the use of hot stones inadvisable. However, this list is not intended to be all-inclusive and, as with anything affecting your health, a physician should be consulted if there is any question whatsoever that you may be suffering from a condition that might react adversely to the use of heat from the stones or pressure from the massage.

Last, but certainly not least, this guide is a work in progress. The benefits of massage are increasingly being recognized, not only by individuals, but also by those in the health care field.  We talk about stress in a way that indicates we have accepted it as a part of our daily lives. The truth is that stress is a killer. Learning to simply live with it is unacceptable. Massage is one of the most effective tools in reducing stress. Check back often as we update this guide on the latest news, especially in the exciting area of the use of hot stones.