The hot stone massage is among the top specialty massage treatments at the day spa. This type of massage will help you relax, de-stress and can also loosen up tense muscles. Stones used in this massage service are heated up to a certain temperature so that they can deliver heat deep into your muscle tissues.

The heat and weight of the stones helps to release stored up energy and can lull you into a state of deep relaxation. If you’ve had a stressful week at work, need to rebalance your energy level, or are just feeling more tired than usual, head to a day spa for a soothing hot stone massage treatment!

How the Hot Stone Massage is Performed Each spa uses various sizes and shapes of hot stones to perform this massage service. The stones are usually heated up in a crock pot-style vessel for several minutes before your treatment, and are dried thoroughly before being placed on the massage bed or on your skin. The massage therapist may use various Swedish and deep tissue massage techniques to induce relaxation, and then cup the stones in their hands to work on various parts of your body.

Every massage therapist and spa uses a different protocol and technique to perform the hot stone massage, but most will place the stones strategically on your spine and abdomen at some point during the service. This helps to balance your energy and can be a part of a complete acupressure treatment that releases pain and knots in major muscle groups.

Most massage therapists use basalt stones for this service, because these stones heat up easily and rest flat on different parts of the body. The service may include a combination of hot and cold stones to speed up or slow down blood circulation in different areas, and to help manipulate the skin tissues.

Benefits of Hot Stone Massage Unlike traditional massage services that only involve the application of hot oils, soothing massage lotion and manual manipulation of the skin tissues, hot stone massages go one step deeper into the skin tissue and can help to release knots and tension in different muscle groups. If you are recovering from an injury, have accumulated a lot of stress in your back and neck area, or haven’t had a massage for some time, you could be a good candidate for a hot stone massage.

Some of the key benefits of a hot stone massage, include:

Induces deep muscle relaxationGreat stress relieverReduces and relieves pain, especially in the back and neck areasCan improve some health conditionsHelps release toxins from the bodyCan help you sleep betterHelps to give you an emotional boostReleases endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, which helps you feel better and happierSupports the body’s natural recovery and rehabilitation processes

A hot stone massage could be just what you need to feel better about yourself, eliminate fatigue from your daily life, and improve your health and well-being. Head to a day spa in your area to enjoy the benefits of this deeply relaxing and soothing treatment.

Here’s an A-to-Z of some of the most popular types of massage therapy:

Acupressure: Originated in ancient China and uses finger pressure applied to acupuncture points on the skin to regulate the flow of qi (vital energy) in the acupuncture meridians. Acupressure techniques are a part of many other therapies, including Shiatsu, tui na, Shen Tao, and Jin Shin Do.

Amatsu: Originated in Japan this is a modern day combination of anma massage, Seitai (bone adjustment), Shinden-jutsu (balancing of the ligaments and soft-tissue massage), and Kenkujutsu (Japanese cranial therapy). This therapy has recently been introduced to the West.

Anma: The oldest form of massage in Japan. Uses the thumbs, fingers, knuckles, elbows, knees, and feet to press, stroke, stretch, and percuss the skin. This massage is performed through clothing and no oils are used.

Aromatherapy: Combines massage with the use of essential oils extracted from plants, which are inhaled as well as absorbed through the skin.

Ayurvedic massage: Traditional Indian medicine, known as Ayurveda, employs several types of massage. Marma massage involves the application of pressure to a range of special marma points on the body, similar to the acupoints of acupuncture. Other types of massage are selected according to the person’s dosha or ‘vital energy’ type and use different oils, pressure, friction techniques, and speeds. Specialist techniques include Chavutti Thirumal, a South Indian massage done with the feet and toes by a therapist suspended on ropes, and Indian Head massage, also known as champissage, which involves scalp, neck, face, ears, and shoulders massage.

Baby massage: Incorporates gentle massage strokes and stretches to stimulate the baby’s immune system and aid digestion and relaxation. Biodynamic massage: Created by Norwegian physiotherapist and psychologist Gerda Boyesen, this massage therapy is designed to release physical and energetic blockages in the muscles and abdomen.

Chua Ka: An ancient form of Mongolian massage using a stick, called a ka, and the hands to massage deep into the muscles and release tension and fear. Deep-tissue massage: Uses deep finger pressure and slow movements to break down scar tissue and compacted muscle fibres to release toxins, and ease tension and pain.

Do-In: A traditional Japanese system for personal and spiritual development combining self-massage, acupressure, and shiatsu stretches with macrobiotic diet, breathing exercises, and meditation. Hot stone massage: Warm stones are placed on the body to increase circulation and relax muscles, or cool stones are used to reduce inflammation and swelling.

Hydrotherm massage: This massage is performed while you lie on a mattress filled with warm water. Indonesian massage: This deep massage uses the thumbs to penetrate deep into the muscles and soft tissue.

Jin Shin Do: Meaning ‘the way of the compassionate spirit’, this is a modern day synthesis of acupressure, Qi gong exercises, and psychology, developed by Iona Teeguarden in the US.

Kahuna: Sometimes called Lomi Lomi, this Hawaiian form of deep-tissue massage uses long, flowing strokes, rhythmical pressure and oils over the whole body. Manual lymphatic drainage: Danish physician Dr Emil Vodder developed this technique in the 1930s, using gentle touch and rhythmical movements to improve the flow of lymph (colourless fluid that surrounds the tissues and circulates via lymph vessels). J. R. Casley-Smith combined lymphatic drainage with skin care, compression bandaging, and special exercises to create complex physical therapy (CPT); while Australian Grace Halliday devised deep lymphatic therapy (DLT), by combining systematic lymphatic massage with hot foments (applied steam heat).

Myofascial massage: A technique used in Rolfing (see Chapter 16) and sports massage (see below) involving compression and skin rolling to stretch the fascia (tissues surrounding the bones and muscles), relieve pain and injury and increase mobility.

Neuromuscular therapy: Also known as trigger-point therapy or myotherapy, this involves concentrated thumb/finger pressure to trigger points – tender points that have become sensitive due to lack of flow of blood and nutrients.

On-site massage therapy: This is brief massage taken into the workplace using a special portable chair, which you sit on and lean forward in while massage is applied to the head, neck, shoulders, back, arms, and hands.

Pregnancy massage: Gentle massage techniques to improve blood flow and reduce pregnancy discomfort. Reflexology: The application of fingertip and thumb pressure to points on the soles of the feet believed to be connected to different parts and organs of the body via the nerve reflex system.

Remedial massage: A form of soft tissue massage used to treat muscle and joint pain and injuries.

Self-massage: Simple pressure point and kneading techniques that you can do yourself to release tension and improve circulation.

Shiatsu: Meaning finger pressure, this Japanese therapy involves stretches and pressure from the thumbs, fingers, palms, elbows, knees, or feet while you lie on a padded mat, or futon, on the floor.

Sports massage: A combination of remedial, deep-tissue, and Swedish massage techniques used to relieve muscle stiffness and pain, improve athletes’ performance and aid recovery from injury.

Thai massage: Incorporates Ayurvedic and Chinese massage and uses pressure point therapy, muscle stretching, and firm compression techniques to release tension and relax the body.

Therapeutic massage (Swedish massage): Developed by Per Henrik Ling in Sweden at the end of the 19th-century, and systematised by Dutchman Johan Georg Mezger, this influential type of massage employs five basic moves to stimulate the tissues and ease muscle tension:

• Effleurage: This massage is designed to stretch and relax the superficial muscles

• Petrissage: This technique involves kneading and squeezing the soft tissues (the tissues around the bones and organs of the body) and both the superficial and deep muscles of the body

• Friction and compression: These rubbing and holding techniques are designed to break down build-ups of scar tissue and to relax the muscles

• Tapotement: These are rhythmical, tapping movements, usually made with the edge of the hand or the heel of the palm, designed to increase blood circulation

• Vibration: These are rhythmical, vibrational movements designed to release tension and stimulate circulation Swedish massage is usually performed without clothing and on a massage couch using oils and lotions. Most of the moves are directed towards the heart.

Tibetan massage: This involves pressure to therapeutic points on the body as well as kneading, rubbing, and tapping techniques to relax the body and ease tension. Sesame, or other, oil may be used to warm the tissues and ease the massage moves.

Tui na: Meaning ‘push and grasp’, tui na is an ancient form of Chinese massage that uses fingers, hands, arms, elbows, and knees to vigorously rub, knead, and roll the skin and tissues. This massage is designed to release energetic blockage in the acupuncture meridians and to release muscular tension.

Deep tissue massage therapy is a therapeutic massage, which can relieve the pain and discomfort caused by specific medical problems, for example:
• Muscle spasm
• Osteoarthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Sports related injuries
• Mobility problems

The technique itself is a massage to realign the deep muscle layers and connecting tissues. It can cause some discomfort, but this usually fades within 24 hours.

Deep tissue massage is a very slow massage technique, which works to ease the pain and tension caused by stiff muscle tissue in and around tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Stiff muscle tissue can be a contributing factor in joint pain and inflammation, but a trained therapist can use deep tissue massage to bring back normal movement to the joint.

Other massage techniques can be used to aid relaxation, but deep tissue massage techniques are more intense with slower, deeper pressure placed on the problem areas. This deep massage compresses the muscles, and uses friction to increase blood flow. It is an extremely effective method of pain relief, and although it can initially be slightly uncomfortable, it should never be so uncomfortable that it actually hurts.

Guidelines for People Having a Deep Tissue Massage

Before having a massage treatment only eat light meals, and drink water afterwards to flush excess waste from the muscle tissues. Relax as much as possible before and during the treatment, as the treatment will focus on tense areas. Arrive early for the appointment to make sure that there is sufficient time for the therapist to take all details, and also to allow for a small rest prior to the massage.

Do not be concerned, as it is normal for the massage therapist to use their elbows, fingers, and hands to carry out the massage. Breathe normally during the treatment as this assists in loosening up the stiff muscle tissues.

When it is Not Recommended to have a Deep Tissue Massage

There are occasions where a deep tissue massage would not be recommended, such as:
• When pregnant
• If a person has osteoporosis
• Immediately following an operation
• If a person has heart disease
• If the joint has recently been fractured / broken
• If a person has an infection or rash
• If the person is suffering from a hernia or tumor
• If the area to be treated involves open wounds or bruising

Deep tissue massage has been proven to be more effective in giving pain relief than some prescription medication, acupuncture, exercise, or physiotherapy, and usually the improvements can be noticed immediately after treatment.

When you think about every little thing that the body does, it is impossible not to think of it as an amazing thing. It is like the perfect machine- able to regulate its own body functions, allows a human to perform various tasks and can even heal itself. Also better than a machine, the body can be willed and trained to perform tasks that you wouldn’t have imagined it could do.

But just like a machine, the body has to be take care of for it to continue functioning well. It is not the easiest thing to keep a healthy body. That requires a lot of self-discipline because you have to make sure you only eat and do what’s best for your body. The body also requires pampering to keep it in tip-top shape because although the body can stand years and years of pressure, exhaustion and stress, it still needs its rest and pampering. Getting massages provides the body with numerous benefits. It supplements the benefits of a healthy diet and a good exercise regimen.

Here are just some of the benefits to getting massages:

Alleviates back painsStimulates blood flow so that more oxygen and essential nutrients are pumped into various body organs Relieves various aches and pains in the body by stimulating the release of endorphins to the body Increases joint flexibility Reduces cramping Improves the condition of the skin Relieves muscle tension and stress Speedy Muscle Recovery Lessens anxiety Lifts the spirits and reduces depression

These benefits make massages an essential part of the training of athletes. There are also people who are not professional athletes but have made getting massages a regular part of their lives. People must know that these benefits can be experienced not just getting the services of a masseuse but also by using a hand touch massage chair.

Health Massage Chair performs various massage techniques that mimic real human touch. A human touch massage chair can perform the following techniques and apply them to different body parts: kneading, rolling, compression, and percussion.

Luxury Music Massage Chair

Human touch massage chairs don’t come cheap but when it comes to your health why spare the cost? There are so many benefits to getting a massage that the initial investment of getting a massage chair is worth it.

One great benefit of having a hand touch massage chair is how you can get a massage in the comforts of your own home at any time you want. You can come home late from work and get a short massage before crawling into bed. You can get massages everyday! You are also spared the prep work of massages and can plop on the chair as soon as you decide you want a relaxing massage.

When you think about it, getting a massage chair can also prove cheaper in the long run than getting the services of a licensed masseuse because the chair can be used by the other members of the family and can be used as often as possible.

Don’t be confuse about aromatherapy with massage therapy, these terms are not interchangeble, they go together.

With essential oils used by massage therapist this is when the aroma .( scents being extracted  from herbs , plants and trees)  is mixed with oil , being used for body massage. In spas and massage parlors , the client is offered to choose what scent the massage therapist will apply to her body during the treatment.  Herbal oils are lavender, rosemary and marjoram. Ylang-Ylang  and eucalyptus come from trees.  Camomile is also used  to massage the hands when they are tired. Certain oils like juniper, lavender and rosemary are used for muscles and mild aches while geranium, lavender and marjoram is to relax the body in general.

While some therapist used the name massage therapy in their practice it is always done with the aid of oil as the skin is sensitive for being touched and imagine the pain when there is no oil to tone the muscles.On the other hand aroma therapist use this name but there is no difference between the two at all. Oils aid in the massage treatment for its soothing effect on the skin. Aromassage therapy is quite significant in relating to this body treatment . Why? There’s only one person involved during the process.

One application of Aromatherapy is in therapeutic massage. Essential oils, which are the main components of aromatherapy, is massaged onto the parts of the body which needs due treatment. The applied oil is absorbed by the skin and goes to the blood stream so the affected spot is dealt with directly. In Aromatherapy massage, not only will you feel relaxed from the massage itself, but the wonderful scents of the essential oils revitalize and stimulate the skin, muscles and the whole body. The body’s blood circulation is enhanced that results to the clearing of toxins from the body.

Aromatherapy is also applied in skin and hair products. In one beauty parlor where I once had my hair cut, I bought this hair hot oil treatment which I used on my hair once a week. When it was all used up, I just used a hair conditioner I have bought from the store. My husband said he liked the smell of the hot oil treatment better than the hair conditioner.

Bath products often are also incorporated with aromatherapeutic essential oils. There’s this manufacturing company that introduced two new variants of hair shampoo. One variant is for relieving stress and the other variant is for energizing. The bath products induced with Aromatherapy are known to be effective in making the body to feel relaxed. The essential oils used in the bath products make the blocked pores of the body to open up so tension and fatigue are released.

Lotions and other beauty products now also come with essential oils. With these aromatherapeutic lotions, not only will the skin smell nice but will also make the skin soft and glowing.

Candles are made with scents of essential oils which are used in Aromatherapy treatments. When the body is recuperating from an injury or illness, lighting scented candles may help stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself. It's also a great way to relax your body and help it calm down.

If scented aromatherapy candles are not your thing or if you are afraid that the children might play with the candles which may cause a fire, yet you want your home to smell not just with bleach and disinfectant, there are household products which are also infused with the wonderful scents of aromatherapy. For instance there are those aromaterapeutic floor cleaners which cleans the floor and also make your home smell great, thus creating a good ambiance.

Aromatherapy is the science and art of using essential oils of aromatic plants. Aromatherapy has become an important part of life of several thousand people around the world. Healing aroma coming from the lavender, rose, and jasmine essential oils fills the air with wonderful scents. Aromatherapy oils are extracted from plants by various methods like steam distillation, infusion, expression etc. From cosmetics to modern medicine, everywhere you can see the use of these essential oils. These essential oils of aromatherapy are so concentrated that they are rarely used without being diluted. They are very volatile, i.e., can evaporate quickly when they come in contact with air and this is the reason why they are so effective in treatment. This is also the reason why these essential oils are kept in bottles with lids closed immediately after use.

Essential oils dissolve easily in carrier oils or base oils and this is the reason why these oils are best suited for their dilution. Some of them are: Almond oil, jojaba oil, and others such as soybean, olive, safflower, grape seed, apricot seed oil, etc. The method to use essential oils is to drop about 2.5% essential oil in a certain amount of carrier oil and then it can be applied to the treatment area. For example: You need to put 10 drops of chamomile pure essential oil and 5 drops of pure lavender essential oil in 30 ml of almond oil. Adding a few drops of wheat germ oil helps get a lot of vitamin E. Warning, do not think that if you will add more essential oil to carrier oil, you will get better results. The result will be totally opposite as this would only irritate your skin getting an undesired effect, so it is better to consult an aromatherapist first and write all the instructions for using essential oils and blending them with carrier oil on a sheet of paper, so that when you are doing that at home, you don’t do any mistake and not do any damage to your body.

In Oriental medicine, meridians, also known as acupressure vessels, are energy pathways, a system or networking of invisible bodily energy channels that run and recharge the body’s energy fields. The meridians interconnect deep within the body core. They can be envisioned as highways between major points in the body. There are specific acupressure points along the meridians. If there’s a blockage of energy in the meridian, or an over or under energy in the organs, there are meridian massage techniques that can be used to help remedy the problem.

Meridians are either yin or yang, depending on the direction they flow on the body’s surface. The yang meridians run from the the fingers to the face or from the face to the feet. Yin meridians run from the feet to the torso or from the torso to the fingertips on the inside, yin side, of the arms.

When I was doing professional athletics my wife was studying Applied Kinesiology and Touch For Health®. After a hard training session, or competition, I found it more beneficial for her to do meridian massages than to do a regular massage. A meridian massage requires no hands on. You can wave over, brush or touch as you trace the meridian flow. You need to know where the meridians are and which way they need to be run in order to increase or decrease energy or relieve an energy blockage.

After learning the meridian pathways I found that, even though not as effective as having my wife run the meridians, I could do them myself and feel the benefits. The meridian massages were particularly helpful where recovery times were concerned.

Every organ has a corresponding meridian and yin or yang energy flow . Knowing the meridians and which direction they run, it’s possible to balance the energy flows. The massages are done in a specific sequence, otherwise you could be going with and then against the desired flow.

The ancient Chinese theory of yin, predominantly female energy, and yang, predominantly male energy, states that every object in the universe consists of both. Yin and yang, sun and Earth, up and down, hot and cold, birth and death. The 3000 year old theory relates yin and yang to the physiology and pathology of the human body.

Practitioners of yin and yang theories feel that by combining the two different aspects of yin and yang, it’s possible to directly address those principles and that a new awareness can be created and a new attitude toward life or one’s behavior can be initiated. They also believe the meridians, and their unimpeded energy flows, are directly connected to enhancing and energizing the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the body.

By using acupressure and meridian massage techniques, it’s said to be possible to increase energy, improve muscle strength, strengthen the immune system, reduce stress and more. I have personally found that to be true and many of my students have also said they benefited by learning the meridians and simple acupressure techniques.

There are dozens of different types of massage therapy being practiced in the world today. However, some of them are much more common than others. People who are planning to get a massage at a local day spa will find that their options are typically limited to these core common types of massage. Nevertheless, within these core options there are several different varieties of massage therapy to choose from. This article serves as a guide to the basic types of massage that you might find available at a local day spa.

1.     Acupressure Massage. Acupuressure is a combination of massage and acupuncture. It uses the rubbing healing motion of the body that you get from massage. It does this on the points of the body that Chinese acupuncture has identified as healing points. This massage is powerful but relaxing. In contrast to acupuncture, it does not use needles or puncture the body. People who are interested in acupuncture but are afraid of needles may try an acupressure massage instead. .

2.     Aromatherapy Massage. This type of massage uses the healing powers of scent to enhance the benefits of the bodywork done during the massage. The massage is typically a standard Swedish or Deep Tissue massage (see below). The difference with the aromatherapy massage is that oils, candles and incense are used to encourage healing, rejuvenation or other feelings associated with specific scents. For example, chamomile is a scent associated with being calm so it may be used for a relaxing massage. .

3.     Chair Massage. This type of massage is done with the individual seated in a special massage chair. If you’ve ever seen someone getting a massage at a street fair or at the mall then it was probably a chair massage. The individual is fully clothed. The massage typically focuses on the back, neck and shoulders although it may include the head and limbs. .

4.     Deep Tissue Massage. It is very common for day spas and massage therapists to offer deep tissue massage. This is similar to the Swedish massage (or “feel good body rub”) that we’re all familiar with. However, it goes deeper into the musculature of the body. Deep tissue massage is typically focused on very specific areas of the body, usually where the patient is experiencing pain. .

5.     Four Handed Massage. If one person giving you a massage feels good then perhaps two people giving you a massage at the same time will feel even better. That’s the thinking behind this type of massage in which two therapists work on you simultaneously. Often this is a Swedish massage done by both therapists at once. However other types of massage may be incorporated by either or both therapists. For example, a four handed massage might include aromatherapy. .

6.     Hot Stone Massage. This is a Swedish massage or Deep Tissue Massage that has hot stones added to it. The stones are warmed up to a comfortable temperature and then placed on certain spot of the body. The heat generates better healing and can contribute to a deeper massage. In some cases the massage therapist will actually use the stones to do the massage. In other cases, the stones are used merely to heat up the muscles and are then removed and the massage is done strictly with the hands. .

7.     Myofascial Release. This type of deep massage is designed to release the fascia (or the tissues around your muscle fibers) from your bones. The result is that the muscles relax and the bones are no longer strangled. This type of massage is given to relieve body pain. It is not as common at day spas as the other types of massage in this guide. However, it’s starting to pop up here and there around the nation as an offer on spa menus. .

8.     Reflexology. This type of massage therapy relies on pressure points, which are massaged to encourage healing throughout the entire body. Refexology often focuses on pressure points in the hands and feet. However, it can use points throughout the body as well. .

9.     Shiatsu. This type of Japanese massage is a massage that focuses on acupressure points in the body. These points are massaged using the fingers or palms. The goal of this type of massage is to relieve pain as well as to enhance and improve the body’s flow of energy. .

10.  Sports Massage. Athletes strain their bodies including their muscles. Sports massage uses a combination of other types of massage to quickly heal the damage that athletes do to their bodies. This may be to heal specific injuries or simply to improve the general damage done to the body with excess exercise. .

11.  Swedish Massage. This is the most common type of basic massage that you’re likely to experience if you go to a day spa or private massage therapist. Different types of touch are applied to all muscles of the body for the purpose of relaxation as well as healing. .

12.  Thai Massage. This type of massage is commonly offered at day spas but it’s not a traditional type of massage in the sense of a “body rub”. Instead, this type of massage is essentially exercise done with the help of your healer. It draws from such practices as tai chi and yoga to help stretch and heal the muscles of the body. It may incorporate hands-on rubbing of the muscles but this is not the focus of the massage. This type of massage is often done clothed and may be done on massage table or on the floor.