If you know me, you know I'm not satisfied with the status quo massage popularized by the chains and franchises.
For example...
Massage is positive pressure - we use our hands to stretch, knead, and push muscles. This can be greatly relieving, but it also creates compression (especially traditional Swedish massage, where they glide over your muscles again and again, pushing everything down until it's flattened, matted, and bruised).
When I realized this compression problem, I added Myofascial Decompression (or Cupping Therapy) to my practice. Cupping is massage done with a vacuum, so we can lift, stretch, and decompress muscles. This is great for circulation, and combined with regular "manual" therapy, it allows me to take tissue in any direction. Up, down, in, out, it’s all possible.
(Unfamiliar with Cupping? Here's the 4 Things You Need to Know About Cupping.)
There's another major imbalance in status quo massage: Heat.
Blankets, heated pads under the sheet, hot stones, and hands soak heat into stiff tissues. There's obvious benefits to heat therapy, but sometimes it can be too much... especially because heat attracts fluid.
You don’t want to leave your massage feeling heavy, swollen, and inflamed!
So what's the solution?
Cold Stone Massage
Just like hot stones, cool stones can glide over the skin or be placed on the body, and they feel very soothing and relaxing.
You're still embedded in warmth, but cool stones are strategically brought into the treatment to flush heat, reduce fluid build-up, and minimize soreness.
I like to end the session with a pass of cool stones so we soothe any agitated tissues and you can walk out feeling light and refreshed.
This creates a lovely balance and complete-feeling treatment with many benefits.
Benefits of Cold Stone Massage
Reduce swelling and inflammation
Decrease muscle spasms
Relieve sinus congestion
Reduce headaches & migraines
Soothe heartburn, hot flashes, bloating, and menstrual cramps
Firm puffy eyes and faces, and reduce fine lines
Prevent next-day soreness
Plus, of course, so refreshing on a hot day!
Typically, cool stone massage is done with marble. However, I actually prefer to use Himalayan Salt Stones.
Benefits of Himalayan Salt Stones
Himalayan Salt Stones are smooth, cool, and the natural mineral content makes them great for your skin.
They have 84 minerals that nourish the skin and help it feel smooth, soft, and hydrated. They’re naturally antibacterial, so salt stones are great for oily, acne-prone skin as they’ll absorb the oil, exfoliate, and nourish.
Himalayan salt is also known for its negative ions, believed to produce a biochemical reaction that boosts serotonin (the neurotransmitter that makes you feel happy and calm).
Have you ever felt particularly grounded and peaceful when visiting mountains or beaches (or perhaps a Himalayan salt lounge or sauna)? That’s negative ions at work.
When these lovely stones are kept in the fridge, we can synergize the benefits of cryotherapy and salt stone massage for a deeply soothing, decongesting experience.
Book Your Cold Stone Massage Today!
The body only heals by change. That includes temperature change.
Try a cool stone massage today and feel the benefits for yourself!
We can add cool stones to any service offered at Sage Bodywork; let me know in the booking notes that you're looking forward to cold stone therapy when you book online and I'll make sure everything is ready for your custom treatment.
The best part? The cool stone upgrade is COMPLIMENTARY this summer 2021!
Try it today and fall in love!