This post is by request, and it was so fun to write about!
Using hot stones recently, I was reminded of the primitive aspect. I’m sure our ancestors heated stones up in the fire then used them to keep warm.
Hot Stone Therapy has many aspects to its benefits. Here, I will discuss what stands out to me the most.
Hot Stone Therapy improves over all health
💎
How does it do this? Stick with me, I’m about to dive into some Chinese Medicine theory. The Kidneys cradle the “Ming Men Fire”. Often referred to as “life gate energy”, this is our constitutional strength that we are born with. In Chinese Medicine, we call this “pre-heaven Essence”. After we are born, our nourishment comes from our food, known as “post heaven Essence”, and related most closely to the Spleen. We can protect our Ming Men Life Force by supporting Spleen energy, but also, avoiding things that tax the Kidneys.
What taxes the Kidneys? The season of the Kidneys is winter. In a healthy state, we would hibernate, stay warm, and eat loads of bone broth soups at this time of year. These are all practices that support the “Yang” aspect of the Kidneys.
If we have any constituonal weaknesses, these yang supporting practices become far more important – especially in the winter.
That’s where Hot Stone Therapy comes in.
When hot stones are placed on the body, we are feeding our body Yang. It is a treatment principle called “Warming Yang”. We are adding something to the body that was not there before. It is therefore, a “tonifying” method of treatment – in others words “to build”. The winter is a time when Kidneys easily become taxed, but it’s also a time where we have the opportunity to engender and support our precious Ming Men vitality
Hot Stone Therapy relaxes muscles and improves circulation
💎
Hot stone therapy opens the vessels through a process called “vasodilation”. Our muscles require blood flow to function well. This plumps the muscle up, so when it contracts, it can actually pump the blood in and out of the tissue. I like to say to my patients that we want our muscle tissues to be like a big juicy grape, instead of a dried up raisin. The hot stones encourage this process.
Hot stone Therapy relaxes the nervous system
💎
Heat has an affinity to aid patients in dropping and relaxing on the massage table. In my practice, I’ve observed a huge difference when I incorporate heat. The added techniques of effleurage and massage with the hot stones, dissolves nervous system stress along with the muscles.
I am so excited to be offering Hot Stone Therapy. I hope you learned something in today’s article. What do you think about the Chinese Medicine theory I’ve presented? Thoughts or confusions?
For more information about Spa Services offered in Nelson, BC, please click here
Osteopathy and Acupuncture by Monica Ander in Nelson BC 