Hot and Cold Stone Therapy
Geo Thermo Therapy for Body, Mind, and Soul
This unbelievable treatment that will leave you speechless, utilizes approximately 85 stones in varying temperatures and sizes. The heat from warm basalt stones penetrates deeply to help loosen and sooth tighten congested muscles. The cool marble stones are used to reduce inflammation; creating a balanced and rejuvenating treatment. Eastern and Western techniques are blended into a method of treatment that is nothing less than spectacular in recipient enjoyment and therapeutic results.
The stones are placed along your spine, under your neck, hands, on your face on your chakras, on your feet, between your toes and use to massage your whole body with them from head to toe using luxury oil.
The treatment is finished with gentle stretching and smudging with the sage, which cleans us from negative energy.
At the beginning of a Geo Thermo Therapy for Body, Mind and Soul
treatment, the body starts at its normal resting temperature of approximately 98.6.
When THE HOT STONES are applied, information is transmitted to the command center announcing that there is a change in the temperature of the periphery or surface of the skin. It is not a large change, per say, but enough that the blood vessels dilate to allow more blood flow into the area. This creates a slight reddening of the skin or hyperemia. A slight sedation takes place as the brain senses a nice warm relaxed state of being.
When THE COLD STONES are applied, there is a very large difference in temperature. Momentarily, there is a constriction of the blood vessels. The constriction pushes blood and lymph out of the area. The more extreme the temperature is, the stronger the response. Extremes are viewed as a threat to survival. The brain sends out riders to gather all the blood from other areas like kidneys, lungs, heart, liver, etc. to “warm up” the area being threatened. The body views this situation as a threat causing a mass of blood to be rushed in very quickly. This purge of blood rushes through tissues and organs, warming and cleaning as it passes. Where there is fresh blood, there are fresh nutrients to promote nourishment and healing down to a cellular level. So short-term application of cold actually creates a “heating” effect. The body’s overall immune system functions more efficiently and is thereby strengthened. If the body is induced to respond to the challenge of maintaining homeostasis, it becomes stronger, having met the challenge and keeping the balance.
GEO THERMO THERAPY is the use of Mother Earth’s stones to transmit the required temperatures and induce the desired physiologic response in the body.
Upon the application of the hot stones, the temperature difference raises from 98.6 degree to 137 degree (the top recommended temperature). The total difference is approximately 38.4 degree (keep in mind that this temperature decreases rapidly as you massage with the stones).
With the application of cold stones, the temperature is lowered from 98.6 degree to 30degree (the lowest recommended temperature). The total difference with cold stones is 68.6 degree. The body’s command center does not view this 40 degree difference with hot stones as too much of a treat, however, when we apply the cold stones; the body views that as a formidable challenge.
HOT & COLD STONE THERAPY BENEFITS:
HOT STONES APPLICATION: SHORT TERM HOT (less than 5 minutes)
- Increase blood flow by vasodilatation which increases red and white blood cell motility
- Activates sympathetic nervous system
- Peripheral blood vessels dilate
- Internal blood vessels constrict
- Blood is brought away from the core of the body towards the skins periphery
- Hyperemia occurs
- Muscles relax
- Decrease in cardiac activity
- Basal metabolic rate and thyroid function are decreased
LONG TERM HOT (more than 5 minutes)
- Parasympathetic Nervous System is activated
- Metabolic rate increases
- Hyperemia occurs bringing fresh nutrition
- Vasoconstriction
- Breathing slows
- Sedates nerves and is a temporary analgesic
- Sweating occurs
- Soften and relax muscles for deeper penetration during massage
- Chakras: dilates inducing feelings of well-being and nurturing allowing for easier and faster emotional release
- Has sedative effect on nervous system
- Lowers blood pressure by increasing heart rate, BUT decreasing force
- Stones placed over the chest will cause an increase in respiration and promote expiration
- Stones placed over the stomach or Solar Plexus are post meal slow digestion be decreasing gastric secretion. Pre meal would increase gastric secretions thereby speeding digestion
- Stones placed over intestine/pelvis region would decrease peristalsis
- Restore healthy body tone by increasing blood flow which brings fresh nutrients to the cells of the body
COLD STONE APPLICATION: SHORT TERM COLD (less than 5 minutes)
- Thermo receptors in the skin are stimulated
- The Sympathetic Nervous System is stimulated
- Breathing rate quickens increasing oxygen to the body
- The coronary vessels dilate and the heart rate increases
- The peripheral vessels of the skin constrict in an attempt to stop the loss of heat through the skin
- The bladder and renal blood vessels constrict
- Peristaltic movement, digestion, and all function of the digestive tract are decreased
- Basal metabolic rate and thyroid function are increased
- There is an analgesic effect
- By maintaining homeostasis, there is an increase in cellular metabolism in the entire body
- Increase the range of motion and elasticity in the muscles, and reduce inflammation
- Stimulates the central nervous system
- Increases respiration rate
- Applied over the sternum, it can increase frequency of urination (reflex point)
- Applied to the hands and feet can affect the contraction of muscles in the bowels and bladder (reflex point)
LONG TERM COLD (more than 5 minutes)
- The Parasympathetic Nervous System kicks in
- Metabolic rate increase
- Blood flow leaves the internal organs
- There is an increase in the temperature of the skin as a direct result of the hyperemia created in the periphery
- This new blood brings nutrients to the area
- There is a removal of waste products relieving internal congestion
- Respiration slows and deepens increasing the oxygen supply, thus invreasing carbon dioxide elimination
- The bladder and renal blood vessels dilate
- Peristaltic movement, digestion, and all functions of the digestive tract are increased
- Increase muscle tone and range of motion
- Stimulates muscles and nervous system
- Applied to the hands can cause contraction of vessels in the brain
- On blocked chakras cold can help to clear blockages; however, it brings about slower emotional releases
- Applied to the hands or the back of the neck can lessen nosebleeds
- Over the abdomen causes increase intestinal blood flow, increased intestinal motility and increased acid secretion in the stomach, thus promoting better digestion
- Slows the heart rate
- Applied to the sacrum cold dilates blood vessels increases menses and reducing pain
CONTRAINDICATIONS
- Any conditions where massage is contraindicated
- Anyone an a weakened or debilitated state prior to the treatment
- Any and all autoimmune dysfunctions or immunosuppressed ( Chronic fatigue syndrome, Epstein Barr syndrome, Cancer, Aids, Lupus, Fibromyalgia)- referral from your physician strongly recommended
- Any condition where the brain and nervous system are challenged
- Anyone on prescription medications that may have side effects due to the heat or alternating temperature challenges
- Anyone who is elderly and or has thin skin
- Anyone who is a young child
- Anyone who has heart disease or problems
- Anyone who is pregnant
- Anyone who has had recently surgeries
- Any disease where there is nerve damage or neuropathy
- Anyone who seems energetically blocked or stagnant should moderate the temperature first