What Is the Difference Between a Hot Stone Massage and a Regular Massage?

A massage is one of the ultimate forms of self-care. An hour spent destressing, relaxing, and relieving muscular soreness will benefit you mentally, emotionally, and physically. At Stillwaters MedSpa located in Pensacola, FL, we offer hot stone massages as well as other types of massages that will help you relax, release toxins, ease muscle pain, and find balance amid the stresses of your life.

What Is a Hot Stone Massage?

This type of massage involves the use and placement of basalt River rock on different points of the body. The rocks are heated before use and the massage therapist can then apply deeper pressure to areas of concern without causing any discomfort.

Why Hot Stones?

Basalt river rocks are the most commonly used stones during this type of massage because they are smooth from the river’s current and they hold heat well. They are typically made of volcanic rock which enables them to heat quickly and retain that heat for an extended period. Before treatment, the rocks are heated in a professional heater to 110°F to 145°F.

What Does This Type of Massage Treat?

Everyone knows that massages are an effective, natural cure for stress but this particular type of massage can also help treat and resolve other problematic conditions. It can relieve stress and anxiety, help manage depression, relieve tension and pain from sore muscles, and can help provide some relief for chronic illnesses or chronic pain.

This type of massage allows you to enter deeper into a state of relaxation as the therapist works to relieve muscle pain and tension. The heat within the rocks relaxes the muscles, making them more pliable. Once you are free of some of the tension that you walked in, your massage therapist can release the rest of it during your session.

What Happens During Treatment?

Our hot stone massage combines both traditional massage techniques with those that are used during this treatment. During this massage, your massage therapist will prepare the hot stones for treatment and will typically place them strategically down the center of the back along the spine. The hot stones can also be placed on the stomach, the feet, the chest, the face, and even the toes and the palms of your hands if needed.

The placement of the stones can help relieve pain in the problem areas. Before your session, your massage therapist will discuss your concerns and determine the best location for the stones based on your needs and their evaluation of your physical condition.

Swedish Massage Techniques

Your massage therapist will use oil before beginning the massage to make sure that the rocks can glide across your skin without resistance. Hot stones, when used during massage, allow the massage therapist to utilize the basic Swedish massage techniques including long strokes, kneading, rolling, tapping, and circular movements, just with rocks instead of the hands.

How Long Does the Massage Take?

We offer both 70 and 85 minute hot stone massage treatments; you can choose the one that works best for your needs and your schedule. When you consider the amount of time that you spend under stress each week, this appointment will provide you with so much stress-relief and may feel shorter than it an hour, but the deep relaxation you experience will have you counting down the days until your next treatment.

Will I Get Burned?

How Often Can I Schedule Treatments?

You can schedule massage treatments as often as you want. Some people schedule standing weekly appointments, others biweekly or monthly, while others only consider it as a special occasion treatment and only come once or twice a year. The best results typically come from regular massages. Your massage therapist will suggest a treatment plan based on your needs so that you

Am I a Candidate?

Our Massages

Aside from our stress-relieving hot stone massages, we also offer other types of massage treatments that you can schedule alternately with hot stone treatments. You can also choose add-on treatments for any massage, including extra scalp massages and extra foot massages.

Classic Massage

Our classic massage uses a combination of lotions and oils to create a relaxing experience. Your massage therapist will utilize the classic Swedish massage techniques but will cater them and the entire massage to your needs. The type of movement used in this massage includes long, rolling strokes. This technique promotes circulation within the body and helps you relax. We offer classic massages in 55, 70, and 85-minute sessions.

Am I a candidate?

If you have never had a massage before, the classic massage is the best treatment to begin with. Once you undergo this massage, you may want to experience the different massages that we offer based on your needs.

Deep Tissue Massage

Anyone who has experienced chronic muscle fatigue, especially athletes or those who spend a lot of time exercising, knows that a deep tissue massage is almost better than medicine. This massage utilizes deep pressure to help your muscles heal and recover.

One of the main goals of this massage is to alleviate pain and muscle soreness, as well as to get rid of the knots that form and cause chronic muscle pain. Deep tissue massages are available in 55, 70, and 85-minute sessions.

Am I a Candidate?

We typically do not recommend deep tissue massages for first-time massage clients. Once you experience a classic massage, you will be ready to take your massage to the next level with a deep tissue massage. If you have had a deep tissue massage before and you are experiencing muscle soreness and tightness, you are most likely a candidate for this massage.

Couple’s Massage

One way to spend a day or a special occasion is at a couple’s massage. If you love your massages but want to experience them with your significant other, you can do so at a couples massage. During this massage, you will share a massage room but will have different massage therapists. You can choose from a classic, deep tissue, or hot stone treatment. Couples massages are available in 55, 70, and 85-minute sessions.

Am I a Candidate?

If you and your significant other enjoy massages, and you are looking for a way to spend quality time together enjoying some much-needed relaxation, you are a candidate for this massage. This massage also makes a great gift or can’t even be scheduled during a date night if necessary.

Motherhood Massage
Pregnancy limits you in many ways, from what you are and are not allowed to eat, to even want you can put on your skin. There are many activities that you cannot participate in while you were pregnant and while typical massages should be avoided during pregnancy, the motherhood massage should not.

This massage is tailored for those who are pregnant and it uses special techniques that help alleviate the different aches and pains that accompany pregnancy including lower back pain, leg pain, and hip pain. This massage will increase circulation and help maintain a healthy lymphatic flow to help you feel energized. Motherhood massages are available and 55, 70, and 85-minute sessions.

Am I a Candidate?