Mostly, people wonder if they will be in pain during a hot stone massage or if it could be relaxing.
Initially, the heated stones might feel very comforting, although your body could be somewhat shocked by that touch. If you have some areas that are very tense or your muscles are too tight, you might experience a slight discomfort sensation—the kind that a little push gives you those spots to finally release. This impression is not pain, rather it is a message from your muscles that they are loosening their grip.
One of the main reasons people can explain this sensation is that it is weirdly pleasant—being a paradox where a little discomfort leads to a huge feeling of relief and calm. Slow heat transfers to your muscles thus blood circulation becomes better and the cause of the soreness is going away. The application of the pressure depends on the therapist’s hand but, surely, it will be coupled with your opinion as to which part or how much you feel comfortable.
Some discomfort is inevitable and totally normal especially in areas that have been tightly clenched or in muscle knots. On the other hand, no pain whatsoever is to be included in a standard hot stone massage session. In case the heating is too much for you, or if the pressure trouble you, it is the duty of your therapist to react without delay. Talking to the practitioner is what allows the treatment to be a relief instead of an agony.
The massage's aim is not to test your pain limit but to rid your body of tension, enhance blood circulation, and relax you deeply.
Most often, the stones are basalt, which is a material that can absorb a lot of heat and at the same time evenly distributes it to the inner layers of muscles. The blood vessels become dilated because of the heat which results in more oxygen to and nutrients delivery from the blood to the tissues as well as the removal of waste products. Muscle strengthening and alleviation of the "stiffness" feeling are among the most common outcomes of this type of therapy which, in turn, can influence the reduction of pain even days after a session.
The distant, strangely satisfying element of a hot stone massage is to make the interplay between gentle heat and firm pressure be able to trick your body into producing endorphins—the body’s natural painkillers—which cause a blissful feeling of satisfaction and relaxation. The discomfort that is slight in nature shortly goes away and is replaced with a feeling of release and relief.
To achieve maximum results, always be honest with your massage therapist about the level of your comfort during the treatment. Tell them if the usage of the stones or the pressure is something that you cannot stand—they are the ones responsible for ensuring you a pleasant and refreshing experience. Keep yourself hydrated before as well as after the massage, so that the body is able to rid itself of impurities.
A hot stone massage is not a source of pain. It actually performs a very delicate function of a line where a little discomfort means that the loosened muscles are served with an intensely relaxing and strangely satisfying experience.