What is LaStone Therapy for Pain?

By Sharon Hopkins - 2006-09-09 - Viewed 1572 times. Find more articles like this in our Pain and Pain Management category.

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The application of hot and cold stones to the body as a therapeutic massage has been a part of many ancient cultures.

This technique was further developed by Mary Nelson of Tucson, Arizona in 1993. She incorporated the traditional healing practices of Native Americans along with Zen philosophies and the cultural traditions of East Polynesia into this modern version of stone massage therapy which is called LaStone therapy.

How does LaStone Therapy work?

LaStone Therapy involves the use of heated and cooled stones applied to the body to bring about relief to tired and sore muscles, alleviating chronic and acute symptoms that many of us deal with on a daily basis.

During a therapy session, the therapist places hot and cold stones on different parts of the body and massages to open the energy channels.

Basalt and marble stones are used to provide hot and cold massages. The stones may be heated to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

During the course of this therapy, the patient may also be asked to lie down on a bed of stones with a towel between the stones and the body as an insulator.

LaStone therapy is usually carried out in combination with more intense, deep-tissue massage for added efficacy. This alternate application of heat and cold gives the circulatory system a boost and assists the body's self-healing process.

What are the benefits of LaStone Therapy?

The physiological benefits of alternating hot and cold to the body have long been scientifically and medically proven. The heated stones bring oxygenated blood to the area of application, increasing lymph flow and metabolism. The cold stones push away unwanted congestion, inflammation and blockages. In this way, the use of alternating temperatures brings about healing, balance and rejuvenation. It also aids in the balancing of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energies. The use of heated and cooled stones also allows the therapist to penetrate and work the tissues at a deeper level than is possible in other traditional massage therapies that only utilize the hands.

Thus, in addition to being a deep-tissue healing treatment, LaStone therapy is also a very good detoxification program and an excellent immunity system booster.

LaStone therapy is also a very good relaxant for the mind. The alternate application of hot and cold stones causes alternately sedative and energizing responses. This lulls the mind into a deep state of relaxation. A lot of patients have reported the feeling of being in a reverie or deep meditative state by the end of the massage.

Sharon Hopkins, webmaster for Massage Health Therapy explains various massage techniques to refresh you scientifically. She also writes for Aromatherapy, Yoga, Hair-n-Skin-Care besides writing for many other health related sites.

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