Road test: Hot stone massages
CUPPING, scraping, aromatherapy — there seem to be so many versions of massages these days, and a hot stone massage is no exception. But can anything really be gained from putting hot stones on your body?
CUPPING, scraping, aromatherapy, full body — there seem to be so many versions of massages these days, and hot stone massage is no exception.
But can anything really be gained from putting hot stones on your body? Liangzi Health Oasis in Sydney have just released their version of a hot stone massage, so we put it to the test ...
WHAT IT IS:
A hot stone massage
WHAT IT SAYS:
“Using ancient Chinese techniques from over 2,000 years ago, you can heal your body and soul while relaxing in a state of deep mediation. Hot Stone Massage is the magical remedy to heal muscle pain in minutes and boost a healthy glow to your skin. Polished Basalt stones are heated to the perfect temperature and placed along key acupressure points to melt away tension and stress locked in the body. The stones are then gently massaged into the muscles and tissues with therapeutic oils to enhance your experience.”
THE VERDICT:
I was really, really looking forward to testing this treatment out, and it didn’t disappoint. I definitely prefer harder massages, and the firm, warm feeling of the hot stones on my back only added to the experience.
To get things started, my body was first lightly massaged in oil before the stones entered the picture, which have also been soaked in oil. The stones are all different sizes, and after being left stagnant on your back for a short period of time, they are rolled across every surface and pressed into every pressure point that ever existed. It felt like a warm but sometimes painful heat pack all over my body!
My legs were not playing ball, deciding to be sensitive trouble makers and jumping all over the place, but as far as my back goes, I could literally feel the knots breaking — or melting — apart. For that reason alone I would recommend a hot stone massage — it is the perfect combination of having aches and pains relieved, but also feeling super relaxed at the conclusion. I was actually so blissed out I accidentally left still wearing the supplied cotton undies ... Sorry, Liangzi!
Honestly, I could take or leave the whole body treatment — I think just having your back massaged is enough — but a lot of that is just personal preference. I also don’t know that my skin was glowing at the conclusion of the massage. But either way, a hot stone massage is without a doubt one of the most pleasant massage experiences you can get.
The details: Hot Stone massages at Liangzi Health Oasis begin at $200 for 90 minutes.
If you have a product you’d like us to road test, email us at roadtest@news.com.au