Crystal Bowl Healing and Hot Stone Massage
By Paulette O’Neil, Registered Massage Therapist
The concept of vibrational/sound therapy is based on the idea that every part of your body creates a vibration or resonates in some way. Sound therapy works by sending sound waves throughout your body. It is believed that our bodies are made of crystalline structures. For this reason, it is believed that crystal singing bowls significantly affect the organs and cells of the body, resonating the energy chakra.
Vibrational therapy helps to create a harmonious balance in our bodies. As our nervous system relaxes we can move into a better state of balance. Specific sound waves produced by the bowl are the same as the alpha waves produced by our brain, giving a feeling of relaxation. There is some evidence that vibrational therapy will reduce the levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, which makes you feel more relaxed. Singing bowls can be used differently. The practitioner uses the mallet to strike then circle the bowl creating sound waves and vibration.
Incorporating Crystal Bowl healing into a massage therapy treatment is a wonderful way to get the advantages of both. Registered Massage Therapists in Ontario are able to combine these treatments as long as it falls under the guidelines and scope of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO).
Hot Stone Massage
Hot stone massage is a form of massage therapy that involves the use of smooth, heated stones. The therapist may place the stones on specific spots or hold them while giving the massage. The heat of the stones warms and relaxes the muscles, allowing the therapist to work deeper with less pressure. Hot stone massage helps promote the flow of oxygen. Swedish massage techniques are typically used, which may include long strokes and kneading. The therapist uses gliding movements along the muscles. The typical length of a treatment is 60-75 minutes.
People tolerate heat differently so it is important to let the therapist know if the stones are too hot.
Benefits of massage therapy:
- Pain relief
- Stress relief
- Decreased muscle spasm
- Better sleep
People frequently describe hot stone massage as deeply relaxing.
Massage is generally safe. However hot stone massage should be avoided for children and pregnant women and for people with the following medical conditions:
High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Varicose veins
- Autoimmune disease
- Cancer
- Use of blood thinners
Women who are pregnant should book a specific Prenatal Massage Therapy treatment so they are scheduled for a treatment specifically with someone with the right training for this stage. In addition, when booking an infant for a massage, ensure the massage therapist has training and experience in infant massage. There can be great benefits to massage for infants and children, but ensuring you are scheduled with the right therapist is important.
For more on stress relaxation, check out
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The above is an informative summary written by Paulette O’Neil, Registered Massage Therapist, who is a member of our Registered Massage Therapy team at Compass Rose Wellness. Paulette’s clients include men, women and children (age 8 years plus) at Compass Rose Wellness Inc in Komoka, ON. She has been practicing Registered Massage Therapy for over a decade and is known for her amazing treatments in foot massage, as well as legs. She keeps her Crystal Singing Bowl in the centre for clients who want her to incorporate some Crystal Healing in their massage therapy treatments. She also is always seen in the centre setting up her hot stones, to ensure they are properly disinfected and the appropriate temperature for her clients who come in for Hot Stone Massage Therapy. Paulette works closely with Sarah Zadorsky, RMT, who specializes in prenatal massage and infant massage. She also works closely with Lindsey Cherrett, RMT, who also does prenatal massage as well sees men, women and children ages 8 years plus.