In our age of flourishing technology, lack of proper rest and frantic pace of life, people rarely think about nature. However, it is almost impossible to achieve spiritual harmony and peace without getting closer to nature.
Therefore, recently massage using natural ingredients has been gaining popularity. One of these types of massage is stone therapy, which uses stones.
The history of stone therapy
Stone massage begins its history in ancient times. In ancient times, this massage served not only for rest and relaxation, but was also considered an effective method of treatment.
People have been using this massage since the times of Ancient Rome to this day. Then the stones were heated in the sun for greater effect; now this is done in warm water or a special device.
Stone therapy is especially popular among residents of megacities, for whom this way to relax and get closer to nature is the most accessible.
What is stone therapy? Stone therapy is a massage using stones from different types and different temperatures. It has many techniques, which are selected depending on the desired effect, and are used to increase the overall tone of the body.
List of contraindications for such therapy
- spinal injuries and fractures;
- infectious diseases;
- skin damage and thrombosis;
- urolithiasis disease;
- diabetes;
- pregnancy and feeding time;
- oncological diseases;
- neuroses, mental disorders;
- insensitivity to temperatures.
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This list is not the ultimate truth. In some cases, experienced masters get down to business even if the patient has one of these ailments, but only after they have drawn up an individual massage program.
For some diseases, stone therapy is not completely excluded, but the choice of methods is limited. For example, with varicose veins, you can only massage with cold stones.
What is the stone therapy procedure?
Firstly, it is worth saying that performing a stone massage at home is not recommended, since it is difficult to find the necessary equipment and you need to be able to do a massage in principle. It is better to find a good massage parlor and be sure of the benefits of the procedure.
It is recommended not to use stone therapy more than several times a week.
The beginning is similar to a classic massage: the body is massaged with oils. Then hot stones are used, which are laid out using a special method, taking into account their diameter and temperature. Then the massage with cold stones begins, toning the relaxed body. It is at this moment that an inspiring feeling of lightness appears.
The stone therapy procedure ends with placing stones on important biological points of the body.
Stone massage procedure
This massage is similar to an ancient ritual and is performed using stones specially selected by the master. Stone therapy strengthens the nervous system, increases vitality, improves blood circulation and relaxes muscles, and is used in the treatment of many diseases.
Stone therapy is a pleasant and, most importantly, very useful procedure. First, a gentle aroma oil is applied to the patient’s body, and then the master arranges the stones. The stones are placed on the body in a special sequence, individually depending on the patient’s disease. The temperature and position of the stones, as well as the duration of their impact, allow the massage therapist to achieve the desired result, solve specific problems of the patient or simply balance his condition, relax muscles and relieve fatigue.
One massage session lasts 60 minutes. The course of stone therapy consists of 7-10 consecutive procedures performed every other day. It is best to undergo a course of stone therapy from one specialist - after all, each master performs massage using unique techniques. The art of stone therapy is passed on only from master to master, so techniques can vary even among specialists from the same center.
Stones used for massage
Many centuries ago, people noticed the healing power of stones. It is believed that different stones carry different properties and have their own “information field”. Even correctly selected jewelry made from precious and semi-precious stones can give its owner beauty and health, not to mention special healing procedures carried out with the help of stones.
Jadeite rocks are used for stone therapy
and
basalt
stones.
Jade
It’s not for nothing that since ancient times it has been considered a strong amulet: the healing properties of this stone made it not only a popular talisman, but also the most widely used stone in stone therapy. Eastern masters use it to work with human bioenergy; in more traditional medicine, the stone is used to strengthen the nervous system and equalize blood pressure. A positive effect of jadeite on kidney and urinary tract diseases has been noted. This stone is an excellent way to achieve harmony between the external and internal worlds; it helps improve your mood and causes a surge of strength.
Basalt
- a stone of volcanic origin. Basalt stones are capable of retaining heat for a very long time, and it is this property that has become indispensable for stone therapy.
Make a choice in favor of professional medicine!
Stone therapy at home
It is impossible to perform the same high-quality procedure as in the salon without having the necessary skills. However, this does not mean that you need to completely abandon this idea.
At home you can use lapis lazuli, moonstone, pearls or pebbles. This, of course, is not marble or basalt, but it is suitable for a light massage. During the procedure, close the windows, light candles and turn on music - do everything to relax as much as possible.
The first thing we can recommend is a palm massage. Place the stones on one hand, cover with the other hand and massage clockwise for 20 minutes. Alternating speeds can tone and relax your arm muscles.
You can also walk on the stones for a few minutes. Don't underestimate the importance of the points on the arms and legs. Even such a simple massage can have a beneficial effect.
Hot and cold stone massage at home
Can stone therapy techniques be used at home? Fully - no, but this is not a reason to refuse pleasant relaxing procedures. The most accessible methods of self-treatment:
- Place smooth pebbles on your palm, cover with your other hand and rotate your upper palm clockwise. 20 minutes of intense movements invigorate, slow ones calm.
- Place small pebbles on the floor and walk on them with bare feet for several minutes.
There are hundreds of bioactive points located on the soles and palms, the stimulation of which has a beneficial effect on the entire body. Only with basic knowledge about the principles of reflexology, the exact location of active points and their connection with organs, is it recommended to practice cold and hot stone massage at home.
Instead of volcanic rocks, smooth pebbles, hematite, turquoise and other minerals are suitable. After applying base oil to your body and cream to your face, slide stones of different sizes along the bioactive lines. The main thing is to follow the rule: first warm, then cold, with both hands at the same time, making synchronous movements.
Types of stone massage
Depending on the objectives, stone therapy is usually divided into several areas:
- Contrasting - is based on the use of stones with different temperatures: hot (+45-50 degrees) and cold (+20-25 degrees). Brings relaxation to the body and mind, relieves nervous tension. In the process of facial massage, due to the influx of oxygenated blood, there is an improvement in skin tone, increased elasticity, reduced puffiness, and a reduction in circles under the eyes. The duration of the procedure is 40-90 minutes, the course is usually designed for 7-10 repetitions.
- Modeling – involves stronger temperature changes: heating to +55 and cooling to 5-10 degrees (which, however, should not cause pain or obvious discomfort). The result, due to a sharp activation of metabolism, is rejuvenation and correction of problem areas of the body in the direction of weight loss.
Modeling massage with hot and cold stones
- Thai - carried out by specially trained masters, as it is developed in accordance with Ayurvedic practices (one of the goals of therapy is to normalize the energy flow in the body). Only hot stones (+55-60 degrees) of large, medium and small sizes are used. About a quarter of the time allocated for the procedure is occupied by traditional manual massage, the rest is given to stroking, rubbing and pressing with heated stones.
The tools of stone therapy are invariably stones - flattened and smoothed or chipped without grinding - which can not only be of different temperatures and different sizes (from 5 to 10 cm), but also differ in structure.
Actually, the latter determines how much heat can accumulate and how long it will be transferred to the skin:
- White marble stones practically do not retain heat: they are used cold as opposed to hot - for a contrasting effect on the body and face. In the latter case, for example, the contour is perfectly developed, and excess deposits in the chin and neck area are gradually reduced.
- Volcanic basalt stones, which have a dark gray color (turning to black when wet), not only absorb heat well, but also store heat for the longest possible time. This factor is important, because a procedure such as massage cannot be rushed.
Marble and basalt (as well as jadeite, which is similar in properties) are recognized favorites of massage procedures, but sometimes masters use other types of rocks: agate, chalcedony, jade, amazonite. All of them are considered precious, have great energy potential and are well suited for facial massage.
Types of stone massage. How does stone therapy work in the salon? What areas can be massaged?
