Standard vs. Hot Stones/Hot Rocks Massage

[deux ex machina]

If anyone has had both regular, and hot stones (also called hot rocks) massage - which did you prefer?

 

I will make a choice, and book it soon. Had to come up with a "completely unnecessary, for pleasure only" reward for having completed all trauma work in therapy and not missing a session no matter how difficult it was it got.

 

I never had a professional massage before, and I'm really looking forward to trying it.

 

Thanks for any experiences you wish to share.

[knaveman]

I've never had a professional massage before either but always thought about splurging to get one. Just to try it. Would love to know if it's worth it.

[deux ex machina]

I've never had a professional massage before either but always thought about splurging to get one. Just to try it. Would love to know if it's worth it.

 

Alright, I'll be happy to update when I get it. Scheduled it today. I chose the hot stones/hot rocks one.

[quankanne]

my girlfriend found a place that offers a hot stone option as part of their pedicure, said she was curious and tried it ... and that it was incredibly relaxing. The techs I've used usually wrap a hot, wet towel around your calves, but she said the stones' heat penetrated the muscles more better.

 

I'm curious about those full body massages that incorporate hot stones, though I'm a bit shy because my back is a bit ticklish!

 

so definitely let us know how it goes, and whether it's worth pursuing ... also, do they line them up along your spine?

[deux ex machina]

my girlfriend found a place that offers a hot stone option as part of their pedicure, said she was curious and tried it ... and that it was incredibly relaxing. The techs I've used usually wrap a hot, wet towel around your calves, but she said the stones' heat penetrated the muscles more better.

 

That's what I heard about it, too.

 

Thank you for letting me know what your friend thought of it - now I'm looking forward to it even more (late this very week, yay!).

 

I'm curious about those full body massages that incorporate hot stones, though I'm a bit shy because my back is a bit ticklish!

 

I never thought about that until now! I'm very ticklish! This might be more of an adventure than I imagined!

 

so definitely let us know how it goes, and whether it's worth pursuing ... also, do they line them up along your spine?

 

I'll let you know, definite.

 

According to a show I saw that inspired the idea for this as a reward, they do. I saw the singer Mya getting one, and she looked so relaxed. I thought...I'll have what she's having. The stones were lined up with her spine, and across the upper back from what I saw.

 

Thanks again, quankanne!

Edited June 22, 2010 by deux ex machina

[threebyfate]

I didn't like the hot stones. They were too restrictive in that you have to lie still and didn't really do much for me.

 

If you're a bit twitchy like me, don't bother paying the extra for the hot stones. IMO, the regular types of massage combined with aromatherapy are better. I also don't like Shiatsu or deep muscle/tissue massages, preferring the standard Swedish style massages.

[deux ex machina]

I didn't like the hot stones. They were too restrictive in that you have to lie still and didn't really do much for me.

 

If you're a bit twitchy like me, don't bother paying the extra for the hot stones.

 

Another thing I hadn't considered. Yes, I can be a little twitchy at times, as well. Twitchy and ticklish. Great combo. The dream client.

 

IMO, the regular types of massage combined with aromatherapy are better. I also don't like Shiatsu or deep muscle/tissue massages, preferring the standard Swedish style massages.

 

I'm too curious now...I have to go through with it. Plus, it's already booked for tomorrow. But yes, if I like the hot stones one (at least most aspects of it), I'll go for the standard one at some point, so I have something to compare it to. Since the goal is to relax as much as possible, that's a great recommendation - thanks!

[threebyfate]

Another thing I hadn't considered. Yes, I can be a little twitchy at times, as well. Twitchy and ticklish. Great combo. The dream client.

Masseur: dem, pick up those stones. I've done it 16 times already and refuse to do it anymore.

dem: *sheepishly crawls off table and picks up stones*

[deux ex machina]

Masseur: dem, pick up those stones. I've done it 16 times already and refuse to do it anymore.

dem: *sheepishly crawls off table and picks up stones*

 

 

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[freestyle]

I'd like to recommend having someone else drive you, if at all possible.

 

I believe you'll benefit more from the massage if you can completely relax afterwards.

 

You might find your self having an enormous, healthy appetite afterwards, that always happened to me when I'd get acupuncture treatments.

 

 

A great alternative to the hot rocks is filling a 2-liter plastic soda bottle with extra hot water, and having someone roll it back and forth (perpendicular)along your spine.......it's an amazing sensation. When that method is alternated with rubbing a bag of ice along the spine, it has an effect of "rebooting" the sensory pathways.....By alternating rapidly between the hot and cold, the nerves start having a hard time telling the difference between the two temperatures, so they freak out and reset, which effectively helps the muscles to let go of remembered tensions, much like rebooting a PC. I only had it done once, but it was amazingly effective.

 

 

Congratulations on completing your trauma work, BTW----I'd say a reward is definitely due. Massage is a great choice, the benefits are incredible.

 

 

( you might find the ticklishness will disappear,when you get fully relaxed...)

[quankanne]

"dem, pick up those stones."

 

are you sure he won't be called "Mr. Twitchy" by a disgruntled masseuse? :laugh:

 

free, I like your alternating temps therapy, will have to keep it in mind ...

[threebyfate]

If you make it Ms. Twitchy, it's possible. But I would dump a masseur/masseuse for name calling unless he/she's so good at what they do, they're irreplacable. Then I would tip big to stop the name calling.

[freestyle]

"dem, pick up those stones."

 

are you sure he won't be called "Mr. Twitchy" by a disgruntled masseuse? :laugh:

 

free, I like your alternating temps therapy, will have to keep it in mind ...

 

 

Actually, it's not my theory---I have the good fortune of having a very close friend who became a certified acupuncturist.He used that treatment on me once, and it was incredible. So much of our tension and emotional stress gets stored in our muscles, to the point where we have constantly stooped shoulders, or poor posture, etc. The alternating temperature method really does help to "reset" the muscles. It's also a simple method that can be done at home by a partner or close friend.Whoddathunkit, a two-liter soda bottle? Actually the shape and curves of the soda bottle when it's rolled firmly along the spine and shoulders, fits almost perfectly.

[deux ex machina]

"dem, pick up those stones."

 

are you sure he won't be called "Mr. Twitchy" by a disgruntled masseuse? :laugh:

 

 

I would've feel so very...misunderstood.

----------

 

If you make it Ms. Twitchy, it's possible. But I would dump a masseur/masseuse for name calling unless he/she's so good at what they do, they're irreplacable. Then I would tip big to stop the name calling.

 

Although it was a bit vigorous (your advice was on the money!), I always tip nicely. I can see your point, though - and he can call me anything he wants. I'd go to him again. Near the end, he demo'd what a standard massage would feel like, and he had the perfect touch for it.

 

Standard felt a fair sight better than deep massage, keeping in mind the particular goal was relaxation. I can see a more vigorous type being great for certain situations; I just prefer a lighter touch.

[deux ex machina]

I'd like to recommend having someone else drive you, if at all possible.

 

Oops!

 

I believe you'll benefit more from the massage if you can completely relax afterwards.

 

You might find your self having an enormous, healthy appetite afterwards, that always happened to me when I'd get acupuncture treatments.

 

I did get an appetite afterwards. I thought, perhaps, I was dehydrated a little.

 

A great alternative to the hot rocks is filling a 2-liter plastic soda bottle with extra hot water, and having someone roll it back and forth (perpendicular)along your spine.......it's an amazing sensation. When that method is alternated with rubbing a bag of ice along the spine, it has an effect of "rebooting" the sensory pathways.....By alternating rapidly between the hot and cold, the nerves start having a hard time telling the difference between the two temperatures, so they freak out and reset, which effectively helps the muscles to let go of remembered tensions, much like rebooting a PC. I only had it done once, but it was amazingly effective.

 

This is brilliant. Really, truly. I am going to try it. Thank you so much for that!

 

Congratulations on completing your trauma work, BTW----I'd say a reward is definitely due. Massage is a great choice, the benefits are incredible.

 

Thanks, FS. I am glad I did it, it was a fun experience.

 

( you might find the ticklishness will disappear,when you get fully relaxed...)

 

Yes, I was alright.

[deux ex machina]

I think the hot stones massage is worth pursuing, if you feel a deeper massage is right for your situation. The stones do add an element that feels substantially different than standard (how deeply the heat can loosen up the muscles).

 

I can really see it working well for a person who has a lot of tension that is manifesting itself in the body.

 

I'm glad I went for it; it was fun. And while it was more costly, I can always say I did it - just because. Considering the fact that the masseuse/masseur is giving a lot of their time to prep, ect., I think it's fair.

 

The right atmosphere makes all of the difference. The people there are wonderful, they created a nice, relaxing environment, and were very professional.

 

I am going for the lighter, more standard types of massage if/when I get one again. Another benefit, I slept like an angel the last few nights. So well-rested. Overall, it was just great.

 

[EDIT: To clarify, the hot stones massage isn't necessarily vigorous in itself, and it doesn't feel like you're being pummeled...the stones itself made it feel deeper, uncomfortable and hard for me, personally. I thought hands felt much lighter to me. I didn't like having the stones moved...it felt harsh in comparision to hands.]

Edited June 26, 2010 by deux ex machina

[quankanne]

another inexpensive 30-minute decompression-session is to get a pedicure. Something about someone making your feet look attractive, then giving them and your legs a massage is utterly decadent, and oh-so-relaxing ... there's one kid here in town, a guy in his early 20s, who has the best hands in the business, you feel the stress melting away. And he does this thing where he massages your knee area – it's incredible, because you don't realize how much tension that particular area of your body absorbs until it gets released.

 

best part is that the chairs they have you sit in are massage chairs that you can program to suit your needs: Back, neck, hips *sighhhhh*