Are you under pressure at your office, college, or home? Although there are never enough hours in the day functions as a cliché, it nonetheless describes life in the modern world. During the day as we zip from here to there, and sometimes feeling constantly under pressure. And that stress can eventually start to impact our health, resulting in headaches, backaches, and heartaches.

When experiencing a massage, such as a hot stone massage, being under pressure is a good thing. However, not all pressure is the same. Pressure can range from soft to hard, and involve a cornucopia of strokes. However, the combination of the hot stone’s amazing heat therapy; and the right strokes and pressure, can ultimately result in a relaxing, stress-busting, therapeutic massage.

When performing a massage, you should keep in mind some key points about strokes and pressure:
A therapist’s hands should be relaxed, slow, and rhythmic.
Gradually increase the speed and pressure
Strokes should generally be firm and towards the heart, with a gentler return stroke.
Harder strokes can be used to stimulate, while softer strokes can be used to relax.
A massage should be a continuous string of regular strokes.
When you need to add more pressure to the massage, use your bodyweight and movement to create strokes that are smoother and stronger.

Types of strokes that can be used in massage with hot stones include:

Cupping: Cup your hands and face the palms of your hands, downwards. Gently use a beating motion up and down the whole body.

Draining: This is a stroke with light-to-medium pressure, which stretches and relaxes the muscles, while increasing blood circulation. Use your thumbs for smaller areas, and your hand’s heel for larger areas. Push firmly using your thumb or heel, alternating one with the other, slowly moving upwards along a muscle or limb.

Friction: This stroke works near the joints, muscles, and tendons, in order to smooth out knots and reduce tension. By using the tips of your fingers and thumbs, create a tiny round motions gradually yet strongly in the specific spot.

Gliding: This is a frequent stroke during a hot stone massage, and is very effective when using oil. Keeping your fingers together and hands extended, slide your hands forward along the limb or body, using circular or long strokes with the heel of your hand. 

Hacking: Using open hands and the palms facing each other, create a chopping movement up and down the patient’s body. You may also improve the pressing with the use of loose fists instead.

Kneading: This stroke is used to increase blood circulation and reduce muscle tension. Grab the area with both hands, and use a kneading movement (as if you were kneading dough).

Percussive: These strokes are used to reduce muscle tension and improve blood circulation. Make sure to never use them directly on the backbone. You may possibly use force which range from gentle to strong. Also, make sure to maintain relaxed hands and wrists.

Pinching: Softly lift a small amount of flesh and then let it glide through your fingers.

Pulling: This stroke is used to stretch and pull the muscles of the legs and trunk. Alternate your hands to create a pulling movement, slowly moving them upwards on the body.

Wringing: The wringing stroke resembles the pulling stroke, but is instead used across the limb or body, rather than upwards. You can use it on the legs, arms, and torso. Place your hands on either side of the limb or body. Use your hands to create a forward and backwards movement across a small or large area. Slowly and gradually, work upwards, towards the head.

Mary Singleton regularly writes for AML Stone Source, the leading hot stone massage supplies provider. They carry such products as massage stone, as well as many other accessories for hot and cold stone therapy.