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Monday, December 26, 2011

10 Tips to Enhance the Benefits of a Hot Stone Therapy

10 Tips to Enhance the Benefits of a Hot Stone Therapy

Stress is one of those things we wish did not exist. A world with no work overload, no deadly deadlines, no monstrous boss, no traffic jams, and no tiring household chores certainly looks like an ideal world. But at the same time, it seems boring too, right ?
If you really think about it, stress does spice up our lives and somehow makes us stronger individuals. That is of course, once we conquer it and learn to live with it. But how does one learn to live with stress? One good answer to that question is massage. Because we can not run away or hide from it, we can use a relaxation technique like a hot stone massage to rid ourselves of stress even just for a few hours (what you may not know is that a few hours can make a big difference in your state of well-being).

Now to help you maximize the relaxation properties of a hot stone therapy, here are some tips:
  1. Hire a professional hot stone therapist to do the massage for you. To save you from further stress, get recommendations from family and friends who have tried the same kind of therapy. You may also browse online for therapists or spas that offer this treatment.

  2. Drink water before and after the therapy to help your body get rid of unwanted toxins.

  3. It's best that you don't eat a full or heavy meal at least an hour before your therapy. If you are really hungry, snack on light biscuits only.

  4. Play soft music (or your favorite relaxing song) in your mp3 player or disc man while you get your massage.

  5. Conceal unwanted noise and disrupting rackets by listening to relaxing sounds like water dripping from a fountain, soft rain or birds humming.

  6. Light up some scented candles that have aromatic oils. This can enhance the benefits that you will get from the massage by enabling you to relax and calm your mind.

  7. Make sure that the massage area is comfortable for you. Add padded cushion on the table or use pillows to add comfort.

  8. Keep stressful thoughts out of your mind. Try your best to calm and relax your mind. A good way to do that is to focus on the pleasurable sensation of the massage and to imagine only serene and calming thoughts.

  9. Loosen up your muscles. Tensed muscles are much more difficult to relieve so it is recommended that you relax your body when getting a massage.

  10. Don't bring your children to the massage session. This is a time for yourself. Do not subject yourself to further exhaustion by having them run around while you get your massage. Besides, it is not safe for them to be in the massage room while you get a hot stone therapy.

  11. Turn off your cellular phone. There is nothing wrong with ignoring the outside world for a few minutes or hours of relaxation.
A hot stone therapy is indeed an excellent way to deal with stress. And with these simple tips, you will be able to have a blissful massage experience that will make you look forward for more.

How to Give a Romantic Hot Stone Massage ?

How to Give a Romantic Hot Stone Massage ?

There is nothing more romantic than giving a gift that you have personally handcrafted or done. A scrapbook, a handwritten card, a painting or a shirt you have sewn yourself - whatever it is, when it comes from the one you care about, it inevitably becomes a priceless gift. But if you've already tried all these and you are running out of ideas for the upcoming birthday of your loved one or any other special occasion that the two of you share, why not try giving him or her the best kind of romantic hot stone massage that will never be forgotten? Yes, you have to undergo legitimate training to be a professional therapist but to give it as a personal gift, a license will not be necessary. Instead, what you need are these tips and a little creativity and romance.

Here are the steps in giving a romantic hot stone massage:
  1. Research about the process of hot stone massage. There are many available resources online that you will find useful in your quest to give your loved one the best hot stone massage ever. You can also consult a professional therapist and undergo an informal training.

  2. Prepare the massage area. Make the massage table comfortable by putting a padded cushion and pillows. You can also use the bed if there is no massage table available.

  3. Create a relaxing ambiance. To do this, you will have to dim the lights, light up some aromatherapy-scented candles, and play soothing music in the background. It's a good idea to play your romantic theme song if ever you have one. You can also play relaxing sounds like water fountain and nature sounds if you like.

  4. Prepare the hot stones by immersing them in hot water. Make sure that they are not extremely hot. Make it a point to touch the stones first before putting them on your loved one's skin.

  5. Let him or her take a relaxing bath before the massage as you prepare the hot stones.

  6. Help him or her cool down and relax by giving sweet kisses and some cuddling.

  7. Make use of what you have learned from your hot stone therapy lessons and research. Begin by putting the hot stones on key points of the body and then applying Swedish strokes on the parts of the body where the stones have been placed.

  8. Don't forget to use massage oil to make relaxing the muscles easier.

  9. Lie down next to your loved one after the session. You can either engage in some sweet talk or join him or her doze off to dreamland.

  10. Give him or her souvenir to remember this occasion by. Either a romantic note saying how much you love him or her, or a box of chocolates (which can only be eaten a few hours after the therapy).
Giving a romantic hot stone massage is a cinch with these helpful steps. Make the special occasion memorable by giving your loved one a massage that he or she will never forget.

Hot Stone Therapist: What to Look for

Hot Stone Therapist: What to Look for

It is true that even if you are in the most luxurious spa in the world with the most expensive kinds of hot stones and massage supplies, without a proficient therapist, all of these are futile. Indeed, there is nothing like a professional and skillful massage therapist to give you the best kind of hot stone therapy.

Sadly, it is not a cinch to find the therapist who will give you this. Not only does it take time for you to search for one, it may also take some time for you to build a good relationship and rapport with your therapist.

To help you find a good hot stone therapist, here are some things you need to look for. A good massage therapist must…
  1. …have certification or license. This is one of the foremost things you need to ask your therapist before engaging in service. This is to make sure that he or she is indeed a certified therapist that is knowledgeable on the rudiments of massage, and to avoid frauds that proliferate in the society today.
  2. …have undergone intensive training specifically on hot stone therapy. It is not enough that a therapist has undergone training in another area of massage. Hot stone therapy is a complicated form of massage that requires rigorous education.
  3. …have extensive experience on hot stone massage. This way, you can find out if the therapist has sufficient skills and experience to provide you the kind of massage experience you are looking for.
  4. …have been recommended by family and friends. It is always a good idea to ask around people closest to you about therapists they have tried and will highly recommend. This makes sense since it is always easier to trust people you know than advertisements. You can also get a referral from your doctor since doctors often recommend massage therapy as a part of medical treatments.
  5. …have a current city-issued permit.
  6. …know the rudiments about this style. Ask the therapist things you want and need to know about hot stone therapy and he or she should be able to answer you with enough confidence. Do a background research prior to this so you know that the therapist is telling you the truth and not just toying with your mind.
  7. …ask you about your medical history and current health condition prior to the session.
  8. …discuss and explain with you the whole process of the therapy before the session. The therapist should be willing to answer any questions that you may have.
  9. …check on your personal preferences and make the necessary adjustments to cater to your needs.
  10. …be professional. Whether it is in the way the therapist dresses or interacts with you, decency and professionalism should be practiced at all times.
  11. …have a complete set of hot stone therapy supplies.
  12. …have a sanitary and orderly massage environment.
  13. …always make you feel comfortable.
With these tips, it will not be too difficult to find the right therapist who will always give you a wonderful kind of massage experience.

Hot Stone Therapy: What you Need to Know

Hot Stone Therapy: What you Need to Know

The words "hot stone therapy" has always sounded intriguing and has always made you wonder what it is all about and why so many people are crazy about it. Of course, the best way to find out is by engaging in a massage session yourself. But if you are wary about doing so without knowing anything about it, here are some things you need to know about hot stone therapy.
  1. A hot stone therapy is a variation of the classic Swedish massage style that incorporates the use of hot stones that are placed on key energy centers of the body such as along the spine, on the palms of the hands and between the toes. These are also used to manipulate muscles in the body to release tension and stress.
  2. These hot stones, which are basalt stones rich in Iron and are able to retain heat well are effective in relieving muscular pain and regulating the energy flow within the body.
  3. Hot stones come in different sizes and shapes that cater to different parts of the body. For example, a large and flat egg-shaped hot stones are for the spine while the small round ones are to be placed in between toes.
  4. A therapy session usually lasts from 40 minutes to an hour and typically costs $90 to $125. It is more expensive than the regular Swedish massage because the preparation is longer and the session is more intensive.
  5. Before the therapy, the hot stone therapist prepares all the massage equipment including the hot stones, which are sanitized and then heated in 120 to 150 degree water.
  6. This type of massage will require nudity so that the stones can more effectively penetrate deep into the muscles. However, if you are not comfortable about being naked, you can always be partially covered with a blanket and the therapist will only expose area of the body that will be treated.
  7. The therapist touches the stone first before placing on your body so you need not worry about being scalded or hurt by the heat of the stones.
  8. This therapy has countless physical and mental benefits. On the physical level, it releases toxins within the body, alleviates muscular pain, improves sleep quality, regulates blood circulation and improves health conditions such as Arthritis and Fibromylagia. Mentally, it provides a thorough relaxation of the mind and spirit, leaving you refreshed and rejuvenated. It also clears your mind and enables you to make better decisions after.
  9. This therapy is invented in 1993 by Mary Hannigan who calls this LaStone Therapy.
  10. Finding a proficient therapist is crucial in ensuring that you have the best kind of hot stone therapy experience. To find one, you must get recommendations from friends and family or referrals from your doctor. You must also make sure that the therapist has specialized training and extensive experience on hot stone therapy as well as possesses a current city-issued permit and massage license or certification.
Even though you already know the basics of hot stone therapy theoretically, it is still best that you try and experience the wonderful benefits of this yourself.

Warm Up with Your Massage Stones before a Massage

Warm Up with Your Massage Stones before a Massage

Learn the benefits that a massage stones will bring to your life.
Can a massage with massage stones be a workout? Well, not in the sense that you get the same cardiovascular workout as running around on a sports field, or peddling for half an hour on an exercise bicycle. There is no heavy lifting. There is no heavy pushing or pulling. In fact, the most movement you will engage in during a massage, is moving from your back, to your stomach--and then vice-versa. So are warm-up and cool-down periods necessary before and after your massage? Conventional wisdom says that since a massage is not a typical cardiovascular workout, no need exists to prepare your body for it, or slowly return to your body’s normal mode. But is that correct?

More than muscles
Before determining whether a warm-up and cool-down period is needed after a massage with hot stones, we should examine some of the benefits of such massages. They include:

• Relaxed muscles
• Improved range of motion
• Lower heart rate
• Decreased blood pressure
• Better blood circulation
• Increased endorphins (improving medical treatment)

Can a therapeutic massage build muscle, as weightlifting does? No, but massages can excite muscles that have been weak and unused. This is beneficial for people who have been inactive for a while, after suffering from an injury, for example.

So while getting a massage with massage stones will not make you winded or exhausted per se, the kneading of the muscles and the use of hot stones, gives your body a "light workout." In fact, you could think of it as a warm-up stretching exercise before a cardiovascular workout—without the cardiovascular workout.

The low-down on warm-ups (and cool-downs)
A warm-up exercise is used before a workout, to start stretching the muscles, and increasing your heart rate. It is a slow transition from normal mode to exercise mode. Similarly, a cool-down activity will shift you back to normal mode. Before performing strenuous exercising, warm-ups and cool-downs are vital for preparing the body for a workout, and can even be effective in preventing injuries.

Workout without motion
Is a warm-up and cool-down activity necessary before or after your massage with hot rocks? Yes, and no. Stretching before the massage is not necessary, as the massage itself serves as a type of stretching. Similarly, there is no need to jog around the building after your massage, to allow your heart rate to drop to its normal value.

However, before your massage with massage stones, it is important for you to gradually move your mind and body into a relaxing mode. Incense, peaceful music and soft lighting are some ways to prepare you well for the massage. These elements will help to make the massage experience with hot stones, a holistic one that involves senses other than the sense of touch involved in the massage itself.

Likewise, after the massage is over, your mind and body will need to gradually return to their pre-massage state. Again, this process will be less drastic than the ones needed before and after a cardiovascular workout. Nonetheless, you will still need to "recover" from the massage. Some of the most common methods are drinking a hot cup of green tea, or sleeping. With sleeping, you cool down into somewhat of a frozen state. But even if you do not catch a catnap, resting alone will serve as an excellent cool-down.

Like a computer that needs to be booted up and shut down, your body needs a gradual transition from normal mode to massage mode—and then back again. A "warm-up" and "cool-down" period will help to make this transition smoother whenever you enjoy a massage with hot stones. Make sure that the temperature range of your body coincides with the range of the massage stone. Warm-up while the stone does!

The Historical Benefits of Massage Stones in Modern Times

The Historical Benefits of Massage Stones in Modern Times

Discover the benefits of the massage stones in this stressful world!
Did Xerxes, Genghis Khan, Attila the Hun, or Charlemagne ever get a massage? And if they never had one, would they have been "friendlier" if they had periodically enjoyed a relaxing hot rocks massage? Though we will probably never know for certain whether particular leaders in the past enjoyed massages, historical records provide us with some details about the usage of massages and massage stones, throughout history. Learning about how massages began and their trends throughout history, will not necessarily make our massages more relaxing. However, it will definitely help us to better appreciate the physical and mental benefits of massages, as we enjoy them today.

A healthy stone
Historians believe that massage is the oldest type of medical therapy used on humans. Various forms of accounts reveal that massage was used in ancient China, India, Egypt, Rome, and Greece. Besides positioning the stones directly on the body, people would carry stones for health and safeguarding purposes. Stones were also used to diagnosis and treat various diseases.

Even as early as 2,700 B.C., ancient Chinese used massage as a type of treatment for various illnesses, such as paralysis. And more than 2,000 years in the past, the Chinese were already using warmed stones, to improve the internal organs’ performance. Besides in China, people were using massage and healing stones in other regions of the ancient world, including India, Egypt, Europe, Africa, and North and South America. In India, the traditional medical system included therapeutic massage with aromatherapy oils and spices. And pictures of people being massaged have been found in various tombs of ancient Egypt.

Getting on Caesar’s nerves
Meanwhile, in the western world, several Greek and Roman heroes had massages performed on them every day, as a form of treatment for nerve pain. In fact, historical records reveal that Julius Caesar himself had such daily massages. One of the Romans’ practices combined hot immersion baths, with cold pools and marble stone.

The mother of invention
Where did the most conventional variety of massage used in Western society, Swedish massage, originate from? It was created sometime in the 1800s. Experts believe that masseuses in Sweden used several of the massaging techniques used in ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, and China. Besides Swedish massage, various methods have been used to help create other massage methods, such as aromatherapy and reflexology.

Furthermore, several of today’s mainstream massage methods were originally used to relieve people of particular health problems. For example, medical staff would use a certain massage for wounded soldiers during the 1930s’ World War I, to treat nerve damage and to ease "shell shock."

Today, massage and massage stones are still used to treat a wide range of conditions, from lumbar back pain to paralysis, and from strokes and heart attacks, to different varieties of cancer. The secret to these "magical" stones is in the use of heat and cold during massage, to create useful therapeutic results. This stone becomes a handy, natural tool for the massage therapist, making his or her work more efficient.

Ninety eight point six
How does applying heat and cold impact the body? Back in ancient history, we learned in elementary school that the average temperature of a human’s body is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, the body is constantly battling to sustain that precise temperature. When the massage therapist applies stones to our bodies in a variety of ways (i.e. hot, cold, local, general, short, long), the natural and beneficial therapeutic results are outstanding.

Throughout human history, therapists have used massage as a means to treat a variety of medical conditions that have plagued people since the beginning of time. Though in modern times we are more aware of the medical befits of massage than Julius Caesar was, we can equally appreciate the historical benefits of massage stones.

The Harmony between Relaxation Music and Massages with Massage Stones

The Harmony between Relaxation Music and Massages with Massage Stones

Find the benefits you can get with music and a good massage.
"Without music, life would be a mistake," wrote the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Can you imagine living life without ever experiencing rock, jazz, classical, rhythm & blues, or country music? We rarely consider how influential music is in our lives. In retail stores, music gets the shopper in the mood for shopping. Music in movies can produce emotions ranging from sympathy to elation. And music at a restaurant can affect our emotions as we eat rock ‘n roll hamburgers or a 5-star filet mignon. But how significant is the music played when getting a massage with massage stones?

Minds and music
We know from personal experience that a connection between music and emotions exists. Our reaction to a sad love song proves it. But this link is more complex than we might realize. For example, the same piece of music can cause different emotional responses in different people. Hard rock or rap music that one person may perceive as relaxing, may be disturbing, according to another person.

The same musical piece can even create different responses from the same person, at different times. A particular love song may cause you to reminisce about past romantic relationships. But right after breaking up with your girlfriend, the same music could create feelings of annoyance or even anger.

Soul music
Other sounds that include rhythms, such as the chirp of a cricket, the clicking of a train along its tracks, and even the whirling of an electric fan, can have a calming affect on us. However, music, such as relaxation music played during a massage with massage stones, affects our very "soul." We do not merely hear the music, we feel it. Like a picture that is worth a thousand words, the emotional effect of music on our very being, can be indescribable using words alone.

Can an understanding of music theory help us to better appreciate meditation or instrumental music while undergoing a massage with hot stones? Yes, it can. But is such formal training necessary? No, it is not. One of the simple beauties of music is that we can enjoy the music itself, with or without understanding its mechanics.

Calm down!
Certain music is particularly effective when providing a massage with hot rocks, because its soothing tone is helpful in creating a calming effect in people. The sound of rolling waves, chirping birds, and gentle drumbeats create mental images that have a calming effect on us. For 99 out of 100 people, relaxation music serves as the perfect music for massages with massage rocks because it was created to do just that: relax. Music with a soft melody and slow tempo tells the massage patient to take a pause for the cause. Relaxation music provides several benefits during massages:

• It lowers the odds of acquiring high blood pressure. In the U.S. alone, an average of one person dies every hour, due to hypertension.
• It assists patients who are suffering from a variety of disabilities
• It improves one’s emotional welfare. If you are feeling particularly upset or worried, soothing relaxation music can help to balance your emotional state.
• It reduces anxiety. Relaxation music itself is so soothing that your mind can shift from focusing on your concerns, to the music.
• It relieves fatigue, strain, and stress in your body. This is particularly important in today’s fast-paced world, where being "stressed-out" has become part of everyday lives.

Relaxation music serves as one of the main elements in an effective massage with massage stones. It literally clears your mind and calms your nerves, making the massage exponentially effective. Under certain circumstances, you may even fall asleep while being massaged. But it will never be from boredom!

Relaxation through a Hot Stones Massage Is All in Your Mind

Relaxation through a Hot Stones Massage Is All in Your Mind

How do you feel? In just minutes, our emotions can shift from elation to misery; or from hope to hopelessness. Moods and emotions are part of who we are as humans. Life would certainly be easier if we lived it without emotions, as Mr. Spock from "Star Trek" and a robot, do. But life would also be less interesting. We feel grief when we lose a friend or family member, joy when we reach a goal, fear when we feel threatened, and contentment when we feel safe. For those times when we feel like pulling out our hair or that the weight of the world is on our shoulders, a massage with hot stones can help to clear our minds and lift our spirits.

Wired for emotions
Understanding what creates our emotions is vital in determining how to improve them. While the heart is often used as a symbol for love, our brain is where emotions begin. It is the control center of our actions. Our nervous system includes our brain, spinal cord and a system of nerves. The nerves branch out from the spinal cord, serving as the "wires" that connect our brain to our body. Nerve vibrations continuously move back and forth between the brain and body, such as when receiving a massage with hot stones.

In our body’s system that creates emotions, the brain is the headquarters, or the mainframe computer. Our brains consist of two halves. The left half performs logical analyses of information, while the right side is related more to skills involving seeing and hearing. The cerebral cortex in the brain receives vibrations from the lower part of the brain, and then processes our emotions. It manages our reaction to emotions. The cerebral cortex allows us to deal with the emotions, by interpreting them and linking them to past memories.

Sending the right signals
So, how is all this related to relaxation from massages? Scientific research has proven that therapeutic massages can treat the following problems relating to our minds and emotions:

• anxiety
• creativity deficiency
• depression
• exhaustion
• logical thinking deficiency
• pain
• stress
• tension

When we receive a therapeutic massage, what happens? The nerve endings in our bodies become activated. They then send signals through the "wiring" of nerves, up through the spinal cord, to our brain. Our brains receive this data, and then process the information. The brains conclude, "This is a good thing," and then zip the message back to the nerve endings. If we have had previous massages before, our brains will send an extra message: "This is the same good feeling you experienced in the past." Finally, your brain will send the message, "Relax!" throughout your body.

Relaxation squared
Massages with hot stones add a new twist to our mind-emotion system. Through heat therapy, the skin’s surface and the tissues underneath are warmed up. This activates the thermoreceptors, which block the pain signals before they can be e-mailed to the brain. So your brain believes that you feel good, before it learns that you feel pain. The result is that your body is further relieved of stress and pain, further improving your emotions and mood. One key is for the hot rocks to be heated to a maximum of 125 degrees Fahrenheit, before being placed on the skin. Hotter stones could cause our brains to conclude, "Too hot!"

The abilities to feel and show emotions are what separate us from massage stones. When we are feeling hurt physically or emotionally, we can ease the pain through a massage with a hot stone kit. Though pain is indeed "all in the mind," thoughts of relaxation and contentment can also live there.

Power Massage Stones Help to Rub out Bad Stress

Power Massage Stones Help to Rub out Bad Stress

Find out the best ways to reduce the stress and improve to a heatlhy life.
You are in your office. All day your phone has been ringing off the hook. You just finished a meeting with your boss, who barked for an hour about deadlines you need to meet by yesterday. Paperwork is piling up on your desk faster than pancakes at a diner. And to top it all off—the hard drive on your computer has just crashed, erasing all of the files that you never got around to backing up.

It seems that modern life has reduced our lives to one hectic, unending, stress-filled saga. We should understand that stress will always be a part of our lives. But does that mean that we are defenseless against it?

Good and bad stress
We have all experienced stress, but exactly what is it? Stress is when the outside world begins to have an effect on us. Is all stress "bad"? In fact, stress can actually benefit our ability to grow and learn.

However, if we have ever experienced headaches, stomachaches and heartaches due to stress, then we know firsthand that stress can also have a negative impact on our bodies. How does this happen? When we experience stress, a natural defense system is activated. Chemicals are then released into our bodies and minds, which prepare us to spring into action. But failing to take action can eventually lead to health difficulties.

Smoking out stress without smoking
The key is to take helpful actions, such as through massages with massage stones. Overeating, painkillers, alcohol, and cigarettes do more harm than good, by actually increasing our stress and making us more vulnerable to future stress. I once took up smoking for a month, thinking it would help me to better cope with some stressful situations in my life. It did not. Fortunately, we can use some productive methods for decreasing stress in our day-to-day routines:

1. Pick an exercise, any exercise. We know that exercise benefits our health. But how does it relieve stress? Whether you swim, jog, or Riverdance, exercise can:

• Activate your endorphins ("feel good" chemicals)
• Improve your mood
• Help you to handle stressors (causes of stress) better
• Clear your mind

2. It is all in your mind. Meditation is a simple, yet effective way to reduce stress in your life. In fact, a daily session only requires 5-20 minutes. By simply sitting in a relaxed pose and emptying the thoughts in your mind, your body will become less stressed. What makes meditation so outstanding is that it is free, can be done anytime, and provides both short-term and long-term health benefits.

3. A magical stone. A massage with massage stones reduces your body’s stress-levels by calming your mind, relieving pain, improving blood circulation, and discharging toxins.

4. Timeouts without the chair. You will not need to sit in the corner for a timeout, but the adult version has the same impact as the children’s version. Every day, simply set aside some time to escape from your hectic schedule, and do something you enjoy. Call up a friend. Read the newspaper. Get away from your workstation and savor your favorite sweet or salty snack.

5. Using stress-busting strategies. Learn how to deal with stress. Techniques such as distributing tasks at work, to others; prioritizing tasks; recording your ideas; or simply taking a deep breath, can help to reduce stress in your life.

The Indian philosopher Mahatma Gandhi once observed, "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver." Without our health, it is difficult to do any task, including work. But methods such as massages with massage stones help to relax both our bodies and minds. To avoid being stressed out, take (bad) stress out of your life.

Massages with Massage Stones Create the Perfect Stress-Busters

Massages with Massage Stones Create the Perfect Stress-Busters

Discover the damage that the excesive stress coul cause to your life and find out the best massages with stones to forget about it.
Stress: that feeling you get when you feel like pulling your hair out or knocking the stuffing out of a punching bag. Many of us have the impression that stress is always related to some negative aspect in our lives. We are working too hard. We are worrying too much about some problem. We are eating too much of the wrong foods, and exercising too little—compounding our stress levels. But why does stress have a negative impact on our lives? And more importantly, can we add any remedies to our daily schedules, to reduce our stress levels?

The story of stress
We read about, hear about, and experience stress in our day-to-day lives. But is stress about more than being tired? In fact, stress actually involves our overall response to the pressure and requirements of our environment. Though stress is not new, experts first examined it during the 1950s. Today, experts debate about whether stress in humans should be defined as our external (i.e. physical) or internal (mental) responses to "stressors"—the things that cause stress.

However, some aspects of stress are consistent. When our ability to adapt to our environment is pushed to the limit and when our welfare is vulnerable, we are experiencing stress. Is everyone equally vulnerable? In truth, several factors (i.e. age, attitudes) can influence how stressed we become. Also, the way that we deal with stress is related to different factors, such as our general strength, overall health, and personal character.

Reading the signs of stress
What are the warning signs of stress? In fact, stress can influence our bodies, minds, emotions, and behavior. Backaches, insomnia, and increased heart beat are some of the physical signs of stress. If we have problems with memory, anxiety, and difficulty in focusing, we could be experiencing the mental effects of stress. Meanwhile, hot tempers, moodiness, and feelings of isolation can be emotional warning signs that stress has become a problem. Finally, grinding our teeth, using vices to relax, or eating too little or too much—are all behaviors that can point to stress.

While we can effectively deal with stress in several ways, one of the most efficient methods is through massage, including those with massage stones. By applying different amounts of pressure to the skin and muscles, stress begins to melt away. But how exactly does a massage reduce stress?

The war against stress
Here is how it works. Our skin contains lots of nerve endings, which are activated during a massage. When we experience a mild massage with massage stones, endorphins are released. What are they? Endorphins are the "feel good" chemicals in our bodies, which help us to feel comfortable and healthy. The endorphins help to reduce pain and eliminate the amounts of chemicals in our bodies that produce stress (i.e. noradrenaline and cortisol). As a result, several negative effects of stress are reversed. Blood pressure is decreased, while respiration, metabolism and our heart rate is slowed.

When we receive a firmer healing stones massage, other positive results occur. For example, our mobility and flexibility are improved, while stiff muscles and joints are loosened. Also, our blood circulation increases. That is a good thing, as the tissues in our body receive more nutrients and oxygen. As equally important as what we gain, is what we lose. Our lymphatic system becomes more efficient in removing waste products.

Modern society has caused our lives to become busier, faster, and more stressful. Reducing stress in our lives has become more important than ever, to boost our health and lengthen our lives. Fortunately, tactics such as massages with massage stones can start to reverse the damaging effects that stress creates in our bodies. It is the perfect stress-buster!

To discover more about how fine massage stones can knock out the stress in your life.

Massages with Hot Stones Are the Hottest Heat Therapy Method

Massages with Hot Stones Are the Hottest Heat Therapy Method

Do you like sunburns? They are definitely one of the most unpleasant skin conditions we can experience. Having your friends and family members mistake you for a cooked lobster can certainly be troubling. Also, overexposure to the sun makes your skin as dry as a desert and as shriveled as a raisin. Then there is the pain. Oh, the pain! If you are fortunate, you will only experience mild discomfort. If not, then even putting on your clothing make you wish you lived in a cave or burrow. But within time we emerge like a shedding snake, with a new layer of skin.

98.6 or 37
The human body has an amazing ability to recover. This is particularly true in terms of body heat. The body always battles to maintain the temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (or 37 degrees Celsius). Whether we are outdoors in sizzling heat, or indoors in a walk-in freezer, our bodies try to compensate for the temperatures in our environment.

Heat therapy serves as one way to alter our typical body temperature. In this process, such as through the use of massage hot stones, heat is applied to relieve patients of pain or to improve general health. For example, heat therapy is perfect for those with muscle and joint problems. Besides hot massage stones, heat therapy can also involve hot water, a heating pad, a hot cloth, etc.

The original sun worshipers
How did heat therapy begin? Several ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, worshiped the sun. This included adoration of Ra, the sun god. The Egyptians believed that Ra had created himself in the form of a pyramid-shaped heap. Not only did they consider him to be a god, but also the universe itself.

Thousands of years ago, the Egyptians were already using heat therapy and hot stones to treat a variety of illnesses. In one procedure to improve breathing, seven stones were heated on a fire. A special collection of natural ingredients including date seeds, honey, and milk, were placed over the stones. Next, after positioning a new jar with a hole in the bottom over the stone, a tube was used to inhale the fumes from the treated hot stone. The procedure then continued for each of the remaining six stones.

Thermo-what?
While massage stones use stones in a different way than the ancient Egyptian method for improving breathing, the benefits of heat therapy have not changed. Why is heat therapy effective? It excites things called thermoreceptors. These thermoreceptors allow our body to respond to heat and cold. So after the heated rocks are placed on your body, the thermoreceptors will turn on your body’s natural air-conditioning system: perspiration. But thermoreceptors do much more. They also reduce pain by blocking your body’s pain transmitters, which send a message to your brain: "I’m in pain!" In addition, heat therapy increases your blood flow rate, resulting in several benefits, including comfort, easing of tender muscles, and less stiffness.

From lifting to sitting
Heat therapy, including a massage with heated stones, can help to treat a variety of specific health problems, which include:

• Arthritis
• Backaches
• Joint strains
• Muscle aches
• Sprains
• Tender muscles

But even if you are not experiencing any chronic muscle or joint pain, heat therapy can help you to perform basic day-to-day activities much easier. That includes actions ranging from heavy lifting, to sitting down.

As it has for thousands of years, heat therapy can definitely help to improve what you do and how you feel. Through methods such as massages with hot stones, you will feel energized, more relaxed, and ready to live your life to the fullest. The heat is on!

Is Having Too Few or Too Many Massages with Hot Stones Possible?

Is Having Too Few or Too Many Massages with Hot Stones Possible?

Do you know how often one should get massage? Find here the benefits of getting a massage with stones!
The average human in the West eats about 86,500 meals in his lifetime. That is a lot of cold cereal, pizzas, and TV dinners! Of course, there are those times that we skip breakfast when we are in a hurry, or brush off lunch because we have deadlines to meet. While many health experts agree that fasting one day per month is beneficial for our health, frequently missing meals can have a negative impact on it. We feel weak. We get irritable. We think of nothing except the next food that we will sick our teeth into. While massages with hot stones can also become a part our routine for relaxing, how often should we have one?

Too much of a good thing?
How often should we relax? Workers are accustomed to taking a week-long vacation during the year. This gives a week to spend at the beach, in the country, on a mountain, or wherever else we prefer. Between vacations, we can take periodic day trips or enjoy the luxuries of a health spa. The latter can include activities such as a relaxing massage with hot rocks.

How many times is ideal for a massage with a hot stone kit? There is no real minimum or limit regarding how many you should have. The average frequency of massage patients is roughly once a month. However, the number of massages needed varies from person to person. I’m seated almost around the clock, so I tend to get a massage about twice a month, with a focus on my back and neck. The longer I wait, the worse those muscles feel.

So the bottom line is that getting a massage with heated stones once in a while is good. However, getting a massage often is great! We can never truly reverse the aging process; from the minute we are born, we begin dying. However, we can certainly slow down the process, thus improving our general health and increasing our lifespan. So investing in a massage with massage stones can have significant benefits down the road.

Massages: not just for muscles
In addition to having periodic massages with hot stones, they can also be beneficial for other health problems as well:

• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Burns
• Cramps
• Depression
• High blood pressure
• Muscles problems (i.e. injured, overused, smaller, weak, tight, etc.)
• Lower back pain
• Migraines
• Post-surgery swelling reduction
• Spasms
• Workout exhaustion

Helping Hercules
You might argue, "Why do I need a massage? I eat right, exercise, and have no major health problems." Regardless of your how good your health is, a massage with heated stones can make it better. Massages provide several benefits that would make even Hercules healthier. Hot stone massages can boost your energy levels; allow you to sleep better; make your skin healthier; make your joints more flexible; improve your body’s painkilling abilities; increase your blood circulation; improve your immune system; and boost your concentration.

Have time for the pain?
Finally, you may argue that you simply do not have the time for weekly or biweekly massages with massage stones. The key issue is whether or not you are willing to make the time. Like any other relaxing activity, finding the time for a massage with hot stones is an investment that not only affects you now, but tomorrow, next week, and for the rest of your life. Remember that without good health, everything else in life becomes meaningless.

How often should we get a massage with massage stones? It depends. It depends how often you need a massage, and what frequency is realistic for your personal lifestyle. However, getting regular massages with a hot stone kit will certainly help you to feel and be better. When will your next massage be?

Hot Stones Create the Perfect Tools for Massages

Hot Stones Create the Perfect Tools for Massages

Find out what you need for a perfect massage with stones and change your stressful life to a relax paradise!
Do you always have the right tools for the right job? Though the forms of tools that humans have used throughout history have changed, their function has not. Tools improve our lives. In a scientific sense, tools decrease the amount of force that we need to exert, to do work. On a more basic level, tools make work easier. But without the right tool, tasks can be hard as nails to complete. Imagine digging a ditch with a spoon, or washing a car with a cotton ball. We know that hot stones are required for a hot stone massage. But exactly why are stones used, and can any run-of-the-mill stone be used in the procedure?

Once upon a tool time
The modern use of stones for massages demonstrates the fact that Mother Nature makes some of the best tools. Scientists believe that humans in East Africa used the first stone tools, about 2.5 million years ago. However, since the first stone tools were discovered at Olduvai Gorge in Ethiopia, the type of tools are referred to as Oldowan tools. Like the majority of massage stones used, these tools originated from volcanic rock.

Cores and flakes
Two main types of Oldowan tools were used. Using another rock as a hammer, stone cobbles were created by chipping off numerous flakes. This created the perfect handheld tool, known as a core tool. These core tools were probably used most often for tasks such as hammering, chopping, and digging. However, some experts suspect that the core tools were only byproducts of another type of tool: the flake tool.

In fact, the flake tools were probably more important to early humans, than the core tools. These simpler tools were created from the stone flakes manufactured in making the core tools. Flake tools functioned as knives, and were helpful in piercing the thick skins of animals, in order to remove chunks of meat. They were the first humans to dig in at mealtime!

Rightly using the right tools
When providing a massage with hot stones, knowing how to use your tools can be instrumental in the effectiveness of the massage. The right stones should be used, heated properly before usage, and applied correctly to the patient.

An effective massage with stones begins with the right stones. Basalt stones are typically used for hot stone massages. These smooth volcanic rocks are effective as they are attractive, having an extremely excellent ability to absorb water and heat. But before you buy a plane ticket to the volcanoes of Hawaii, keep in mind that not just any old rock can be effectively used for a stone massage. Stones of the proper shape and weight must be selected, and then treated properly.

Next, the massage stones must be correctly heated. Special hot stone heaters are available, to ensure that the stones are warmed up properly. In particular, the stones must be heated at a precise temperature, to ensure that your patient does not get a permanent stone tattoo on his or her skin. These heaters can vary in both size and voltage needed.

Finally, the right stones must be properly positioned on the patient, during a hot stone massage. Here are some tips:

• Wipe off the stones before placing them on the patient, to minimize slippage.
• Be cautious when handling the stones. Tongs can be used.
• Use the right sized stones on the right body parts.
• Always ask the patient if the stones’ temperatures are okay.
• When removing the heated stones, use caution.

Though today’s technology improves faster than sports cars racing along the autobahn, some basic tools have remained as effective since the beginning of human history. Hot stones for a hot stone massage are basic tools that produce extraordinary results!

A Massage with Hot Stones Is a Wise Choice

A Massage with Hot Stones Is a Wise Choice

Find out some options to have a new way of life, get out the stress and become using a good massage with stones
We are the choices we make. Sometimes the choices are relatively simple: do we choose chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry ice cream? Other times, the choices are more significant: do we visit Cancun or Jamaica for vacation? And on other occasions, our choices are a fork-in-the-road in our lives: do we continue to rent an apartment, or make a down- payment on a new house? When providing a therapeutic massage, one of the most important choices to make is regarding the type of massage to give. Each type of massage has a different style and approach. As a therapist, which types of massage therapies are preferable? It depends.

Though numerous types of massages exist, it is important to be familiar with the basic varieties:

1. Back massage. This type of massage typically lasts 30 minutes, and focuses on both the back and neck. I struggle from time-to-time from back spasms, and can attest to the effectiveness of this type of massage.

2. Shiatsu. Shiatsu is a variety of Japanese massage that uses finger pressure on local regions of the body. The pressure is applied in a series of rhythms, on acupuncture lines on the body. The pressure points are held for multiple seconds, creating balance in the body and boosting the energy flow in the patient. The benefits of shiatsu are that while the pressure remains solid, typically no pain occurs after the massage session.

3. Aromatherapy Massage: This type of therapy combines massage therapy with one or multiple scented plant oils, or essential oils. Whether you need to boost your energy, lower your stress levels, or simply relax, the therapist chooses the right oil for the right effect. Aromatherapy is particularly ideal for reducing stress, with therapists choosing lavender as one of the most frequently used essential oils.

4. Reflexology. People often refer to this type of massage as a "foot massage," but "foot massage plus" would probably be a better title for it. The theory behind his type of massage therapy is that various pressure points on the foot are linked to various organs and systems throughout the body. For those who work on their feet, reflexology is heaven on Earth.

5. Swedish Massage Therapy: This is the one of America’s most popular massage therapies. It is a mild and relaxing massage that uses oil or lotion. Swedish Massage Therapy applies lengthy strokes, rubs and circulates motions on the outside muscle layers.

6. Thai Massage. Thai massage therapy uses mild pressure on specific pressure points, to align the body’s energies; stretches and compressions. From my experience, this is the most "mobile" massage therapy. The therapist places the patient in various yoga-like postures. Having the therapist cling to your back like a backpack is awkward, but ultimately this massage method is perfect for improving your range of motion, lowering stress levels, and boosting flexibility.

7. Hot stone massage. A massage with hot stones involves smooth, heated stones (usually Basalt) that are positioned on particular points of the body. They are used to heat and stabilize energy centers within the body, and to relax stiff muscles. In addition, the therapist can grip the stones themselves while giving the massage, using them to apply a moderate pressure. A massage with hot stones is perfect for those with tight muscles, but who also need a gentler massage therapy.

As a massage therapist, you have several massage therapies in your battery of ways to battle your patient’s stress, pain and fatigue. Massages such as those with hot stones can help your patient to truly feel like the same person in a new body. You can tell him or her, "You have chosen wisely."

11 New Ways to Make Time for a Massage with Hot Stones

11 New Ways to Make Time for a Massage with Hot Stones

Discover useful tips to find a little time for you and a relaxing massage with stones!
"I Haven’t Got Time for the Pain" was one of Carly Simon’s biggest hits in the 1970s. Though the song is about emotional pain, it reveals that when faced with a "fight or flight" situation, we often choose the latter. Pain is never fun. Whether it is a bee sting, a broken leg, or a migraine headache, the less time we live in pain, the better. But ironically, in our hectic day-to-day lives, we often neglect to set aside time for activities such as massages with hot stones, to ease the pain in our bodies. However, we must ask ourselves: Do we really lack the time for such relaxing activities, or are we unwilling make the time for them?

Excuses, excuses
We often use time as an excuse for not doing particular activities that we know we should do. But how efficiently are we using the time that we have? Recent studies show that, for example, workers in the U.S. waste an average of roughly two hours every day. So in many cases we need to make time for a massage with hot rocks.

The real time-wasters
A massage’s duration ranges from about 30 minutes, to two hours. Foot and back massages tend to take half and hour, while a full-body therapeutic massage can range from 1-2 hours. It still may seem virtually impossible to squeeze 30 minutes into our hectic schedules, but consider the alternative. Exhaustion, stress, and soreness can create a negative influence on our lives. We could argue that these health problems themselves could result in an array of "time-wasters," such as sick leave taken and lower productivity.

Get organized
The solution is to organize our day in a way that makes time for a massage with hot stones. Taking a small amount of time to get organized and making our daily schedule more compact, is time well spent. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

1. Get enough exercise and sleep. Having enough energy will allow you to complete your tasks more efficiently.

2. Prioritize the tasks you need to complete. Working on (let alone completing) all of your tasks is next to impossible, so determine which ones are the most important.

3. Take time to do the job right the first time. Fixing errors can be time-consuming and a waste of time.

4. Assess how you spend your time. Keep a three-day log of how you spend every minute of the day, and then evaluate it.

5. Avoid doing tasks that are not vital. Before you promise to do additional tasks, consider your goals and a timetable to complete them.

6. Take a class in time management.

7. Delegate work to others. Read through your daily "to-do" list and determine who can help you to get the list done.

8. Do something you loathe, for 10 minutes a day. Ironically, once you get started, you may learn that you can finish the dreaded task!

9. Plan every day. Make a "to-do" list daily, to create more control in your life.

10. Break up huge tasks into manageable chunks. Dedicating a few minutes to each task will ultimately make it easier to complete all of them!

11. Enjoy a break when necessary. This can include a relaxing massage with heated stones. Afterwards, you will feel relaxed and energized.

As the old saying goes, "time is money." Though modern society has made us busier than ever, making our schedules more efficient can create more free time than we thought we had. And that will make the time we invest in a relaxing, rejuvenating hot stones massage--a tiny grain in the hourglass of time. Have no time for the pain!