Having a terrific massage therapist is essential to having a blissful and relaxing hot stone experience. Being one of the few people you allow to get inside your personal bubble, it is only necessary that you are able to find someone who is professional and whom you can fully trust.
However, finding the right therapist is not that easy especially with hot stone massage which is not as common as Swedish or Shiatsu. Sometimes, you will have to try out the services of many therapists and still you won’t find what you’re looking for.
To help you in your search for the right hot stone massage therapist, here are some tips you will definitely find useful.
Where to find
- Get recommendations from family and friends who have tried this massage style. It’s easier to trust someone whom people close to you have confidence in. Don’t hesitate to ask them how long they have been receiving services from this therapist, the type of equipment that was used, or if they were satisfied with the experience.
- Get a referral from your doctor. Often, health care practitioners recommend massage therapy as part of a treatment so it’s a sure bet that they know of efficient therapists.
- Be sure to check out the massage therapy schools in your area. They can always provide a list of graduates that are also great to try.
- Research online for a listing of therapists that are located in your city.
Things to ask
- Before you schedule an appointment with a therapist, do a little background interview. Check if he or she has a current city-issued massage permit and a certification of education on massage.
- Ask questions about the therapist’s educational background, specialized training and experience to find out if he or she has sufficient skills to give you the kind of quality massage you’re looking for.
- Ask him or her about hot stone therapy. A hot stone therapist should be adept in explaining the rudiments of this massage style.
A good massage therapist should…
- …ask you about your health history and current medical conditions.
- …check on your personal preferences like what type of music, temperature and lighting you prefer and if you’re comfortable doing the massage naked or you’d rather be partially covered.
- …be decent. Wearing lingerie and showing sexual insinuation are not part of legitimate massage practices.
- …be able to answer most of your questions about hot stone therapy.
- …have a complete set of hot stone therapy supplies.
- …have a neat, clean, and organized massage environment. If you do not have a good vibe or feeling about the ambience, it is always right to trust your gut and leave.
- …be receptive and open to negative feedback and do everything to improve his or her service.
- …always make you feel comfortable.
Finding a wonderful therapist is as tricky as finding a true friend. Once you’ve found yourself someone whom you can feel comfortable with, whom you can trust and who has amazing hands, be sure to establish a good relationship with him or her and give the kind of treatment and respect that you would give a friend.
“Mary Singleton regularly writes for AML Stone Source, the leading hot stone massage supplies provider. They carry such products as basalt stones for hot stone massage, as well as many other many other oYtl accessories for hot stone therapy.
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There are just two reactions from people who have never tried a hot stone therapy. One is to welcome this new variation of traditional massage with open arms. Another is to scratch your head, find it kind of bizarre and wonder what the stones have got to do with the therapy.
Whether you’re the first person or the second, you cannot take that little feeling of uneasiness and apprehension about getting a new kind of massage. Knowing what to expect can indeed make a big difference.
Here are some of the things you can expect from your first hot stone therapy:
- The therapist will be using basalt stones that are rich in Iron and can retain heat well. These stones, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes, are river rocks that have been smoothed over time by the current of the river.
- Before you get to your appointment, the therapist will be preparing to get ready, heating up the stones in 120-150 degree water. The heating process is done by immersing the stones in water and then heating with electric heating equipment until they reach the right temperature.
- The heat in the stones helps in the release of muscular tension and relieves stress. The stones warm and relax the tension in the muscles, helping circulation and soothing the nervous system.
- Once you get into the massage room, the therapist will give you some time alone to undress, get onto the table face down, and relax.
- You won’t have to be nervous about being completely naked since you will be covered, usually with a sheet or blanket. Only the area of the body that will be massaged, at the time, will be undraped and worked on.
- The therapist will apply oil on your body to allow the hot stone to slide smoothly on your skin and will then place the massage stones on key energy points such as the back, palms and between the toes to improve energy flow.
- Don’t be scared about getting scalded by the heat because the therapist will always hold the stones first to make sure that they are not too hot for your skin to handle. If you feel that the stones are too hot, be sure to let the therapist know as soon as possible.
- Traditional Swedish massage strokes will be used while holding the stone or while leaving the stones on your body. Cooled stones will be replaced with new heated ones.
- You will be asked to turn over onto your back and the therapist will repeat the process.
- A reputable massage therapist will not include women’s breasts or the lap area of either sex.
- If there’s anything that you feel uncomfortable with like the temperature of the room, type of music or lighting, don’t hold back and discuss it with the therapist.
- The therapy will last for 60 to 90 minutes long and may cost somewhere between $50 to $190.
- After the session, the therapist will leave the room and allow you to have some time by yourself to rest and relax. Don’t rush to get off the table after the session, but don’t spend the entire afternoon on it either.
- Give your therapist a 10%-15% tip.
Getting a hot stone therapy is truly a pleasurable activity to indulge in. Knowing what to expect will erase any doubts and uneasiness you might feel for your first session.
Mary Singleton regularly writes for TIR Massage
Stone, the leading hot stone massage supplies
provider. They carry products such as
the hot stone massage kit, as
well as many other accessories
for hot and cold stone therapy.
Do you like the sight and feel of freshly exfoliated skin – the glow, the smoothness of your skin, being rid of rough skin? In addition to glowing looking skin, you also felt more rejuvenated, released more toxins from your body, and had better blood circulation?
Dry Brushing is an exfoliation routine that does all that – and then some! It requires just a single tool and only a couple minutes of your time, but the benefits are amazing and invaluable. Interested?
The only tool required is a bristle body brush with natural bristles or a loofah. Just a few dollars at your local department store or health and beauty store and that’s it! When you are looking for your brush or loofah be sure you test out how it feels on your skin; every one may like something different, and you want to be positive you’re helping your skin, and not irritating it. Also be aware of how comfortable it feels in your hand and decide whether you want a handle or not and make your decision accordingly. Once you have your brush you’re ready to reap Dry Brushing’s many benefits.
The Dry Brushing system is easy and can take a little as a few minutes, but its rewards last much longer. The key to the Dry Brushing technique is to use a dry body brush or loofa on your body. The technique goes as follows: work towards your heart, moving the brush on your skin in small circles starting at your feet. From your feet move up the leg, and then your hands and up your arms, then your stomach, backside, back and finally ending with your torso, making sure that you end your circle in an upstroke.
But what more can I look forward to besides glowing looking skin? Why should you spend a few bucks and a few minutes using the Dry Brushing system?
Benefits –
The benefits to Dry Brushing are numerous; ones you not only see, but ones that you feel. Whether you’re going for that healthy skin glow, or you need that awake feeling, Dry Brushing can help you.
- Healthier skin that is smooth and free of dead skin cells, open pores allowing your skin to “breathe” and absorb nutrients easier.
- Increased immune system and increased blood circulation to aid in your body’s ability to detoxify.
- Stress relief! The increase in blood flow reduces stress and stimulates your nerves and your nervous system.
- The increase of blood circulation helps your body to break down and dispose of the toxins that cause embarrassing cellulite through your legs and hips.
- Rejuvenated and “awake” feeling minus caffeine and other energy stimulants.
Dry Brushing Tips –
- Make sure you test out the bristles of the brush or loofah to make sure it isn’t too rough or irritating for your skin. If it is painful, you won’t do it and you won’t get its benefits.
- Try Dry Brushing in the shower with the water off. There will be skin sloughed off so keeping it in the shower might be helpful.
- Don’t try Dry Brushing in the evening or before bed. Since it increases blood flow and circulation it gives you that awake sensation – which isn’t very favorable before bed.
- Don’t use this technique on your face as it is too rough for the sensitive skin of your face.
It is that simple: one brush and only a few minutes. They’re the only things standing between you and healthier skin and a healthier body.
