The Benefits of Hot stone massages

If 2020’s got you feeling drained and burned out, we’ve got what you need! After all, the year started hectic! The cure?

Well, how does a world-class hot stone massage sound?

The earliest known use of hot stone therapy to improve health and achieve relaxation took place in India. The practise began in India roughly 5000 years ago, then called Ayurveda. This involved the placement of stones on the body to relax tense muscles and relieve related pain.

Around 2000 years later the Chinese people started using shaped stones called Bian to treat diseases and muscle aches in the same manner. During a hot stone massage, smooth, flat, heated stones are placed on specific parts of your body.

The stones are usually made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock that retains heat extremely well. The stones are heated and then placed along the spine, on top of your stomach, on your chest, or your face, palms and feet.

The arrival of stone massage therapy in the modern West began in 1993 when heated stone techniques became popular. Since then it has become widespread around the globe once more.

The full-body, hot-stone massage is frequently combined with other modern massage techniques such as the Swedish massage and the deep tissue massage. But enough history, for now, let’s discuss the many benefits Hot stone massages have in store for our bodies.

We will not only be discussing it benefits we will also put together a healthy spa massage guide so that you can pick one that’s better suited to you.

Relaxation for the Soul

Natural Living Spa is a unique bushveld-style urban retreat that features 8 state of the art treatment rooms – including a deluxe couple’s suite. Whilst waiting for your booked appointment, you can enjoy drinks and a light cuisine at our outdoor pool area. You’ll be tempted to linger for hours at Polokwane’s most visited Spa lounge.

In addition to deep relaxation, there are many benefits to having a hot stone massage. They include:

Pain relief

Hot stone massage has specifically been associated with symptom relief in people with a variety of conditions, such as fibromyalgia and other autoimmune disorders. Several studies, including on fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis, have linked moderate massage techniques with lessening pain and improving range of motion.

Stress relief

Massage proves to be an effective method for stress relief. Several studies have shown that massage reduces stress and anxiety and improves cardiovascular health.

Increased joint flexibility

Muscle tension can make it difficult and more painful to move the joints. Massage helps to relax muscles, which makes it easier and more comfortable for someone to move. People with certain joint disorders may benefit particularly from hot stone massage.

Decreased muscle spasms and tension

Muscles that are tense and in spasm can cause a lot of pain and interfere with daily life. Reducing the inflammation and tension in the skeletal muscles eases both muscle spasms and pain. As previously said, massage and the use of hot stones can promote relaxation of the muscles and joints in the body to ease both pain and spasms.

Better sleep

It’s a known fact that many of us do not sleep well. Factors such as stress, insomnia, and busy schedules mean they get much less than the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Hot stone massage therapy promotes better sleeping cycles due to the relaxed state that the body is in.

On the run?

Lucky for you Natural Living Spa understands that you are super busy managing work and family that’s why we offer the holy trinity of 30minute massages. Our Back, Neck & Shoulder Hot Stone Massage is ideal for those who are deskbound, or under a lot of pressure at work.

This treatment was created to target the areas where stress builds up first so by applying firm pressure on specific points in these areas we are able to help the body relieve tension in the upper body, as well as stimulate drainage of the lymphatic system.

Pair this with one of our famous 15-minute Indian Head massages and you can get two treatments done before the end of lunch!

The benefit of this massage is that your body is relieved of muscle spasms, pain or tension and ultimately it improves muscle relaxation. For those of you lucky enough to stay a little longer, we offer a 45-minute and full-body session too.

Benefits of hot stone massages:

Releases toxins & improves skin appearance

Significantly reduce stress & anxiety

Helps to promote better sleep

Helps to create a sense of comfort and warmth

If you’ve got some time on your hands and a lot of stress in your shoulders our Full Body Swedish massage is perfect for you. To this day Swedish massages are by far the most common and popular type of massage therapy because of the numerous benefits it has for our bodies.

Some of those benefits are:

Relieves tiredness, muscle tension and pain

Improves your range of motion

Boosts blood circulation

Flushes all of the unwanted toxins from the body

Paired with our famous 30-minute Foot & Lower Leg Massage makes for a great day at the Spa. You’ll certainly leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Our foot massages are extremely relaxing and will leave you lingering for more. One of the benefits of this massage is that it relieves foot pain and improves blood circulation in the lower body.