Wonderful One

Almost everybody loves getting a massage, especially the new variation called stone massage, which incorporates the use of heated massage stones that are effective in opening up chakras or energy channels in our bodies.

And while most people think that the quality of their massage depends solely on the hands of an experienced and skillful therapist, the truth is, the recipient of the therapy also plays a role in making the experience a truly blissful one.

If you are wondering, how in the world you will be able to play a part in enjoying your massage experience, here are some tips to keep in mind the next time you go for a hot stone therapy session:

1. Arrive early for your appointment. This will give you a chance to use the facilities in the spa or holistic center that will enhance the benefits of the massage. It is a good idea to cool down with a sauna, steam bath, or whirlpool.

1. Do not eat a heavy meal an hour before the session. This means that a stopover to the eat-all-you-can buffet before the therapy is a big no-no. If you are really hungry, stick with some light snacks.

1. Water, water and lots of it. Drink plenty of water before and after the session to help flush out the toxins from your body. This is also good to keep you hydrated throughout the session.

1. Don’t put on any lotion or perfume on you skin before the session, it can interfere or distract the therapist from doing their job. It is also not advisable to wear heavy jewelry or clothing since you will have to strip down most of it during the session.

1. Practice proper massage etiquette. Be courteous not only to your therapist but also to the other people getting their massages. This means that you should turn off your cellular phone when you arrive at the spa and keep your voice down as people are trying to relax. This tip is based mainly on the Golden rule. Your good manners will come right back to you.

1. Relax and clear your mind off things that are related to work or stress. Getting a massage is entirely futile if during the process you fill your mind with busy thoughts about paper works, deadlines or household chores. The key in getting a blissful stone massage experience is to indulge in the pleasure of the therapy and not to worry yourself.

1. Communicate with your therapist any concerns, preferences or issues that you may have. If you are not comfortable with the massage setup, don’t be afraid to ask the therapist to change anything. A good therapist will adjust to your needs accordingly.

1. After the session, do not get off the table immediately. Allow yourself to rest and cool down.

Getting a massage is truly one of the best pleasures in life. To make the most out of the experience, practice the tips mentioned about. And don’t forget to have fun!

Massage is one of the most relaxing activities ever invented. While it’s a great way to unwind, pamper yourself and take the much needed rest, it can also be an excellent career opportunity for those who feel that they have gifted hands and a nurturing touch.

Hot stone therapy, which is fast becoming one of the most in-demand massage styles today, is what more and more therapist aspirants are aiming for.

But becoming a massage therapist entails more than just knowing the kinds of massage or buying massage stones and supplies. Here are the things you need to know on how to become a hot stone massage therapist:

1. Enroll in a hot stone massage training program. To help you select a massage school and program, you must look for one that offers a complete well-rounded curriculum that does not only equip you with the theoretical knowledge about this particular style of massage but also gives you the opportunity for hands-on application. You should also make sure that you enrol in a program that is accredited by a credible national accreditation agency. It certainly is disappointing to invest money, time and effort studying in a school only to find out that it is not accredited and recognized.
2. After you have completed a course on hot stone therapy, it is important to take additional classes and workshops to expand your knowledge and techniques. Always remember that learning is a never ending journey. Just taking a course does not mean that you know everything or that you are ready. If you want to be good at what you’re doing, continue to study and learn.
3. Take and pass the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork after you graduate. Review thoroughly for this exam so you will get the certification you need to practice this profession.
4. Buy supplies and equipment. Hot stones, massage oils and other equipment are widely available online. You can find great deals for your needs online. When doing your shopping, invest only in high quality massage stones and supplies. Also, be sure that you rely only on accredited suppliers of supplies so that you get your money’s worth.
5. After acquiring your certification and gathering your equipment, your next step is to gain experience. Experience is the best teacher as they say. You can throw in deals like having a therapy session for free after one purchased session. Ask them to evaluate your work and if ever there are any negative feedbacks, be sure to take that as a challenge to become a better therapist.
6. Build bridges with people. Once you’ve taken off with your career, be sure to build healthy relations with your clients. Ask them to become their references to clients. Remember, this profession relies heavily on word of mouth.
7. Sell yourself to the world. Whether online or at your local newspaper, posting an advertisement about the services you offer is a good way to get clients.

Hot stone massage therapy is gaining popularity over the past recent years. Indulge in a session of hot stone therapy or better yet, turn it into a career or a profitable business where you can learn and earn a lot from.

Believe it or not, your hands are not the only tools you can use for a clientÂ’s massage. Why? Well, nature has already provided the perfect massaging instrument: the basalt stone. Found along the shores of various beaches in Central and South America, basalt stones are quite plentiful. However, before a basalt stone can be used for massaging, it must be thoroughly evaluated. If it meets the necessary specifications, it will be power-washed, packaged and then distributed as an official massage stone.

When a basalt stone gets to this stage, it can be used in two types of massages: hot stone or cold stone. In a hot stone massage, you want to make sure the basalt stone is heated up in a specific broiler. After that, it is allowed to cool. From there the basalt stone is gently massaged into various areas of the skin. The heat that radiates through the stone helps relax the muscles while increasing the bodyÂ’s blood flow.

On the opposite end, thereÂ’s the cold stone massage. With this massage the basalt stones are chilled to a comfortable temperature. They are then slowly massaged into the skin. As a result, the cold from the stones helps constrict blood vessels. When this happens, the body experiences a slowdown in tissue metabolism, which can be helpful for reducing inflammation in the affected area.

In conclusion, if you want the ability to give a more powerful massage, you need to use basalt stones. To acquire them, you can go to any store online or offline that sells massage stones. Before completing your purchase, it is smart to make sure that you are getting the correct set of stones. If you donÂ’t, you wonÂ’t be able to massage effectively, since different sizes of basalt stones are used for various types of massages. Of course, if you are completely unsure, feel free to get a kit of massage stones. Not only are kits cheaper, but they usually give you everything you need in just one set, making them the perfect all-in-one solution.

Alternative health methods are known as healing practices that do not fall in the category of ‘conventional medicine’, or that has been proven to be consistently effective. It is often conflicting evidence based medicine that cover historical or cultural scientific basis. Many of these examples include naturopathy, chiropractic medicine, herbalism, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, meditation, yoga, biofeedback, hypnosis, homeopathy, acupuncture, and nutritional-based therapies, including many other practices.

Practices in these alternative health methods and practices vary in their foundations; some base themselves in traditional medicine, folk knowledge, spiritual beliefs or new methods to healing. The control, use, and regulation of alternative health methods differ widely. Claims by alternative health methods are generally not accepted by the medical community because evidence based assessment of safety and effectiveness is either not available or has not been executed for these practices.

The National Science Foundation has described alternative health methods and medicine as “all treatments that have not been proven effective using scientific methods”. Mainstream scientists and physicians criticize alternative health methods.

There is much debate among medical scientists over whether any therapy can be properly classified as ‘alternative medicine’ or ‘alternative health methods’. Some claim that there is only medicine which has been effectively tested and that which has not. They say that all health care practices should be based on scientific evidence.

Most people utilize mainstream medicine for diagnosis and basic information, while turning to alternative health methods for health-enhancing measures. Studies show that alternative approaches are often used in addition with conventional medicine.

Due to the uncertain nature of various alternative therapies and the wide variety of claims different practitioners make, alternative medicine has been a source of vigorous debate, even over the definition of alternative medicine. Dietary supplements, their ingredients, safety, and claims, continue to be a source of controversy.

Because of the uncertain nature of various alternative therapies and wide variety of claims different practitioners make, alternative medicine has been a source of debate over the definition of alternative medicine and methods. Forms of alternative medicine that are biologically active can be dangerous even when used in conjunction with conventional medicine. Examples include immuno-augmentation therapy, shark cartilage, bioresonance therapy, oxygen and ozone therapies, and insulin potentiation therapy. Some herbal remedies can cause dangerous interactions with chemotherapy drugs, radiation therapy or anesthetics during surgery, among other problems. An anecdotal example of these dangers was reported by Associate Professor Alastair MacLennan of Adelaide University, Australia regarding a patient who almost bled to death on the operating table after neglecting to mention that she had been taking “natural” potions to “build up her strength” before the operation, including a powerful anticoagulant that nearly caused her death.

Those who have experienced or perceived success with one alternative therapy for a minor disease may be convinced of is effectiveness and persuaded to extract that success to some other alternative therapy for a more serious, possibly life-threatening illness. Because of this, critics say that therapies rely on the placebo effect and basing success on this is not good.

In the 1970s, a blind physical therapist by the name of Narendra Mehta brought Indian head massage or Champissage to the United States. With this technique, only the head, shoulders and neck receive massaging. As a result, it is believed that clients receive mental clarity, since the massage helps to stimulate blood flow in the brain.

Now, in terms of the massage itself, usually the therapist uses their hands to relax the area. However, there are a few therapists that will use massage stones during the procedure. Why would they do that? Well, massage stones have the ability to maintain a steady temperature, which can be very beneficial for the massaged area.

Yet, what do clients think about the use of massage stones during a Champissage session? Like anything else, it depends on situation. If a massage therapist doesn’t know how to use massage stones properly, the client may not be able to feel their pleasant sensations. It gets worse if the customer has thick or curly hair.

Then there are other clients that swear by the massage stone. For them, such massages are much more relaxing. They may also feel that the stones bring about faster results, especially when they are heated.

So, does that mean that massage stones are a good match for Champissage? It’s hard to say, since so few massage therapists are doing such things. But, if a therapist is considering using massage stones during Champissage, they definitely need to make sure they get some training. The best way to get trained is from a credited institution, although they can also learn from a instructional video. Either way, once they have been taught the technique, they need to practice it on themselves or a family member until they receive satisfactory results. From that point forward, they can go on and use it with their clients.

Working with stones can save your hands only with proper education and superior supplies. TIR Massage Stones has made a significant commitment in this pursuit in all aspects of their business from providing a high level of customer service to maintaining the highest quality in marble and basalt stones. Proper body mechanics is essential in protecting your wrists and hands. The hand and body position will be the same whether working with basalt or marble
but the pressure and pace will vary.

Deep tissue standards still apply when you are working with rocks. Before doing more specific work we must warm up the area with effleurage strokes. If you are just beginning the session, start by warming up basalt stone in the shape of round or ovals. As your client starts to get adjusted to the temperature you can gradually work with hotter stones.The size of the stone will depend on the size of the client, but the area you are working on depends on the size of your hand. When getting involved in more specific techniques, your hand position and the size become more important. The proper sized stone will help you work with less effort but more impact, making the entire experience better.

I call the hand position to the side the Claw because of the shape of my hand takes. You will note that the stone is in the palm of my hand where all the pressure is coming from and my fingers are grounded on the client’s body. With this technique, the stone is stable and I can feel through the stone at the same time. If the stone is in your palm and you cannot ground your fingers on your client it is too long and will compromise your body and affect your ability
to feel through the stone.

When working with rocks you should never squeeze them and ideally when releasing the pressure from the stone it should drop out of your hand. This will insure the least amount of effort and fatigue on your body. When doing trigger-point or working the neck, the same type can be used but the hand position might change. When warming up the neck you will use gliding sweeping strokes using a trigger-point stone. For this stroke you want your hand to take the shape of the stone and sweep it up the neck, your thumb should not touch it. You will never need to use your thumbs again with trigger-point application or neck work.

I would suggest you add the basalt trigger-point stones to your set and the single or double taper oblong in marble. Incorporating cool temperatures with marble stones in the very near future will be the standard in stone massage. It is time for all stone therapists to embrace the principles of hydrotherapy and incorporate the power of cool/cold stones.