Hot stone massages add an even more relaxing layer to a traditional massage. Some individuals may prefer this type of massage over others because of its relaxing, rejuvenating nature. But when it comes to learning how to perform a hot stone massage, there are many aspects that professionals and casual learners should know.
HICI Go is an online center that hosts a diverse catalog of health and beauty courses online for people in Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando, or anywhere else in Florida and the U.S. With massage courses available online and in person at our partnering institutions in Florida and other states, you can access the instruction you need to grow your skills for personal use or to expand your opportunities in the massage therapy industry.
As the name suggests, hot stone massages use heated stones to apply pressure to affected areas without causing pain. The stones consist of basalt – a type of volcanic rock that efficiently retains heat and features a smooth texture that increases comfort.
Massage therapists typically heat the stones by placing them into hot water. They never use a microwave or hot plate to heat the stones, as this can cause uneven heating and an unpleasant massage experience. To begin a hot stone massage, therapists can place the stones on any area of the body, such as the feet, spine, hands, stomach, face, or chest. The heat from the stones can help to make muscles easier for therapists to massage and manipulate. It can also assist with damaged soft tissues and relax muscle tension for the client.
Hot stone massages are like regular massages in the way that therapists use classic massage techniques. Clients experience a typical massage, but with the added element of hot stones. These stones can be used to aid in traditional massage methods, as therapists use the stones to massage the area rather than massaging with their hands. During a hot stone massage, massage therapists use classic Swedish massage techniques, such as:
- Kneading
- Long strokes
- Tapping
- Circular movements
Before therapists use stones to complete a hot stone massage, they typically rub oils on the area. This ensures the stones can glide across without pain for the client, making for a smoother, more relaxing massage experience.
There are many advantages that hot stone massages can provide for overall health and well-being. For example, the heat from the stones can help relax muscles and tissues in the body. It can also assist with lymphatic drainage, which helps decrease waste in your system. This is because heat can expand the blood vessels, which can drain the blood of unnecessary wastes even faster. In turn, this can aid in the body’s ability to fight off infections.
Hot stone massages can also relieve clients of many other mental and physical health issues, including:
Tense Muscles and Pain
Because heat causes the blood vessels to expand, hot stone massages can improve circulation. This means it can work to improve blood flow in problem areas of the muscles, which can speed up healing. Hot stone massages can also decrease muscle spasms and improve flexibility in the specialized area.
Anxiety
Warmth helps us feel relaxed. That’s why many people choose to take hot baths or showers after a long day. Hot stone massages can have the same effect on those with anxiety, depression, or other disorders. They can help the body to relax and relieve stress using the heat properties of stones, which can also improve cardiovascular health.
Autoimmune Diseases
Those with autoimmune diseases, like fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis, can benefit from receiving regular hot stone massages. Because fibromyalgia can cause intense pain throughout the body, this type of massage can work to relieve that pain through heat and massaging properties. Hot stone massaging can also help with the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, which can improve grip and give clients better range of motion.
Insomnia
Because hot stone massages can promote relaxation and muscle tension relief, clients may be able to sleep better at night. Those who receive regular hot stone massages may find that their insomnia symptoms are reduced, making sleep better, more efficient, and longer for some.
At HICI Go, we offer many options for live in-person courses, online courses, and live webinars. Our massage courses are designed for professional massage therapists who need massage continuing education and casual learners who want exposure to different types of massage.
Individuals across the U.S. can access our online courses and live webinars, while students enrolled in our partner institutions can take advantage of in-person courses in Florida, Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas. If you participate at one of these institutions, you automatically receive a login for HICI Go, meaning you can begin taking online courses and utilizing our other resources.
Throughout our hot stone massage and other massage courses, you will learn various aspects of massage. The following are some topics these courses include:
- Interacting with clients
- Adjusting massaging techniques to match the client’s comfort level
- Discussing the needs of your client and how you can help
- Different massage techniques using hot stones
- How to properly and safely heat and place hot stones
- Pressure point areas and key body tissues to hit
Begin your journey toward a deeper understanding of hot stone massage and other techniques at HICI Go. We aim to make our courses accessible to anyone across the U.S., including residents in Miami, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Tampa, or other areas of Florida and states nationwide. To learn more about the courses we offer, contact us at HICI Go today.
