HOT STONEs | Gua Sha
What are Hot Stones for?
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Hot Stone Massage is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist uses smooth hot stones that have been heated to massage the tight muscles. The heat provided from the hot stones will help to relax the muscles and soft tissues, thus allowing the tension and stress to release.
Hot stone massage may be a helpful way to reduce stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and ease pain and muscle tension. It may be helpful for a variety of conditions and circumstances.
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Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine after the massage – Your hot stone massage will really detox your system, so avoid these toxins for around 24 hours if possible, to benefit more.
What is Gua Sha?
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For centuries, the Chinese Gua sha technique has been used to promote healing by scraping muscle tissue to stimulate blood flow. In the early '90s, amateur athlete David Graston introduced a variation of this technique in the United States. Graston, who had a knee injury at the time, developed the unique tool and massage technique now referred to as the “Graston technique” to treat himself.
With Gua Sha, crystal or wooden tools are generally used, vs. steel tools. Gua Sha focuses on addressing fascial restrictions and the peripheral nerves, in order to help alleviate muscular pain. The intention set is what will be addressed, and may certainly be used in more of an aggressive or "deep" manner to address specific muscles as well.
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It promotes blood flow to the area, break up of fascial adhesions and muscle knots, stimulation to the peripheral nerves, and tension relief.
