Health Spas in Philadelphia: Why get a Hot Stone Massage?

health spas in Philadelphia

Hot stone massage therapy can be found in many health spas in Philadelphia. Hot stone massage therapy is a massage that uses smooth, flat, heated rocks placed at key points on the body. Stones are heated in water between 120F to 150F and placed on the body, usually on the back. The hot stones of varying sizes can be placed in other locations on the body. Sometimes they are placed between the toes or in the palms of the hands.

Health spas offer many forms of massage. Hot stone massage has been known since ancient Chinese times but was rediscovered in 1993 by Mary Nelson, a native of Tucson Arizona. Her stone massage therapy has been trademarked as "LaStone" Therapy. Her massage therapy requires training and certification.

The direct heat of the rocks causes muscles to relax and allows the therapist to apply deeper massages in a gentler manner. The stones are coated in fragrant oils. The oil allows the stone to be worked along the body by the therapist's hands. Many therapists at health spas will alternate the application of warm stones with frozen or cold marble stones. This is designed to stimulate the nervous system. The hot stones expand the blood vessels and the cold ones constrict them. The warm stones are relaxing and the cold stones are stimulating.

The combination of warmth and coolness is thought to encourage the body to detoxify and heal. It does this by increasing lymph flow and flushing out waste.

Prior to having a hot stone massage at a health spa, avoid heavy meals. Talk to your therapist about any medical conditions or allergies you might have. Definitely tell the therapist if you are pregnant. Hot stone massage is not safe for diabetics, people with high blood pressure, heart disease or are on blood thinner medication. Pregnant woman should not get hot stone massages.

The warm, oiled stones are placed on many different acupressure points around your body. Tiny stones might even be placed between your toes. Your therapist will use a variety of strokes and techniques to massage you both with the stones and with her hands. The stones will alternate between hot basalt stones and colder marble stones.

Hot stone massages at health clubs are more expensive than basic Swedish massages. The massage usually takes 60 to 90 minutes and the price runs from $125-$150 but can go higher.

Hot stone massages are relaxing and refreshing therapies that have been used to treat the human body since ancient times.