The hot stone massage can be practiced as a full body massage, but also as a partial body massage(e.g. only the back or the foot reflex zones) and is therefore suitable for all body regions, from head to toe. But of course all body zones differ in the massage technique to be used. Hot Stone Massage Tukwila WA would like to bring these differences closer to you, so that when you buy your hot stone massage set , you definitely make the right decision and know how a corresponding hot stone massage works.
A hot stone massage consists of:
- The warm-up phase
- The massage part with the appropriate massage technique .
Give a hot stone massage & heat the stones” should be used as a basic example for the execution of the massage . The actual execution depends on your skills as a massage therapist and the massage accessories available . If used incorrectly, the stones can quickly lead to burns and other problems. A massage along the spine should only be given by people who are fully familiar with the relevant technique. But don’t worry – after reading our blog posts on the topic of hot stone massage, you too will be able to safely use this massage.
WARM-UP PHASE – LOOSEN AND RELAX MUSCLES
Before we can really get started with the massage, we briefly ask about the most important points that are the basis for a pleasant and relaxing hot stone massage at Hot Stone Massage Tukwila WA. Here are the most important key points again in a short overview:
- Do not heat hot stones to more than 55 to 60 °C – only 40 °C for beginners
- Ensure a pleasant room temperature between 22 and 25 ° C
- Heat the hot stones evenly from both sides
- Have preheated towels or a sauna towel (preferably made of pure cotton ) ready and always use them to cover the body regions that are not being massaged
- Always place a towel between static hot stones and skin
If these factors are given, then it only depends on the skill of the masseur and on the physical history and the physical characteristics of the massage guest, how beneficial the hot stone massage really is in the end.
LET’S START WITH THE WARM-UP
Before the actual hot stone massage (with whatever massage technique), if it is a full body massage , some static hot stones are placed on and under the client (for 3 – 10 minutes , depending on the heat sensitivity and the guest’s condition).Because heat goes deep, it penetrates through the stones into muscles and deeper tissue layers. This relaxes the entire body and gives the guest a feeling of warmth.
If, on the other hand, you opt for a partial body massage, you should at least warm up the body region that is to be massaged afterwards. During the warm phase, the person to be massaged should be completely covered with a cloth. Before you start after warming up, you should explain the hot stone massage procedure to your guest in detail.
PROCEDURE & MASSAGE TECHNIQUE – WITH / WITHOUT HOT STONES AT Hot Stone Massage Tukwila WA
To get the guest in the mood and to relax the corresponding body regions and muscle groups, the massage is first performed without hot stones, i.e. with bare hands. The most important thing about the Hot Stone Massage is the basic massage technique: All movements are always applied in the direction of the heart, as this supports the venous blood flow. The massage oil used should already be preheated to approx. 45 ° C during the pre-massage. This can be done by hand, but it is even better with a special warming device .
BACK MASSAGE WITH HOT STONES (PRONE POSITION)
- The hot stones that were on your back to warm up are now placed back in the warming machine
- Then oil your back and arms with the previously heated massage oil, for example special hot stone massage oil from cosimed
- Stimulate the sacral area in the lower part of the back with a large hot stone for approx. 1 minute
- Place free hand between shoulder blades
- Now you need two medium-sized lava rocks that have been oiled well. Put them within reach (e.g. at the head end of the massage table )
- Now stroke the entire back three times with your bare hands
- Now take the two ready-to-hand Hot Stones and continue to make large-area stroking movements on the back (at least 3 repetitions).
- Now, instead of laying it flat on your back, set up a hot stone and move it along your rib cage. Pointing stones are particularly suitable here, as they reduce the risk of touching the bones directly with the stones
- Now continue with circular movements in the shoulder area. Start on the inside and circle outwards
HOT STONE ARM MASSAGE LYING ON YOUR STOMACH
- Now take the hot stones that you gave the guest when warming the front
- The arm is briefly oiled and a medium-sized hot stone is placed within reach
- With your bare hands, stroke three times from the wrist to the shoulder and sideways, with less pressure
- Repeat these stroking movements three times with a hot stone – from the middle up and sideways back
- On the final repetition, move the stone and your hand past your fingertips
- Now move, together with the hot stone, in small, circular movements towards the elbow and back to the wrist
- Repeat this three times as well. On the last rep, hold your elbow and then circle it
- The upper arm and shoulder are massaged in the same way: in a circular motion up and back
- Then the shoulder, just like the elbow, is circled three times
- Now move the stone sideways to your hands and massage the insides in circles
- Now switch sides and repeat the whole process again
HOT STONE MASSAGE TECHNIQUES IN SUPINE POSITION
Even in the supine position, each hot stone massage technique begins with warming up the top and bottom of the client. Only this time the bottom is the back and the top is the stomach.
HOT STONE LEG MASSAGE IN SUPINE POSITION
- Remove any hot stones placed on the client’s legs and feet during the warm-through and place back in the warming unit
- Now smear your legs with massage oil
- Now rub two large massage stones with oil and place them within reach of the massage table
- Now smooth out the legs with your bare hands and then with medium pressure from the ankle upwards and with slightly weaker pressure over the outside back
- Now repeat this process three times with Hot Stones
- Now it’s the turn of the lower leg – starting at the ankle, circle up to the knee and back from there. Repeat this two to three times
- Then circle the knee with gentle pressure and then massage the thighs from top to bottom
- Now we have arrived at the feet. The soles of the feet are lightly rubbed out with a flat hot stone
- Now the legs are stroked three more times without and three times with hot stones
- Now start this process over on the other leg
HOT STONE ARM MASSAGE LYING ON YOUR BACK
First all hot stones are removed from the top of the client
The arm that will be massaged first should now be rubbed with massage oil and a medium-sized hot stone placed again within easy reach
First smooth out the whole arm with your bare hands, then do the same with hot stones. The massage technique is as follows: Center up, around the shoulder and outside back to the hand – repeat three times
Then smooth out the forearm with the hot stones – from bottom to top
Then circle around the elbow a few times and also massage the upper arm with circular movements. When you get to the third repetition, circle around the shoulder and then stroke down to the hand
The back of the hand is then carefully massaged there using a circular massage technique
End the arm massage with three strokes (with hot stones) and now switch arms
HOT STONE ABDOMINAL MASSAGE
Many clients are extremely sensitive in the abdomen. Whether a stomach massage with hot stones is the right thing to do should be thoroughly clarified and tested beforehand
If the client decides to do this, start by gently stroking the abdomen
Then, as with all other massages, rub in a medium-sized hot stone and lightly and gently circle the abdomen in a clockwise direction
Then massage the same body zone again, but this time with circular movements (also called friction). Support the massage hand with the other hand
Finish by circling the abdomen three times with hot stones and three times with bare hands
Read More: Reflexology Foot Massager – Why it is Important for Foot Care