Hot & Cold Stone Massage with Cherie
Hot and Cold Stone massage with Cherie
Trying this particular form of massage for the very first time I was full of anticipation at what lay ahead over the next 60 minutes. I had read a little on what’s involved and wondered if I’d enjoy this type of massage as much as traditional types.
Before I describe how wonderful, warm and relaxing this treatment is, let me briefly explain what is involved in a hot and cold stone massage. It is the thermal properties of the heated smooth basalt and the cold marble stones that make this treatment so effective. The stones are polished to a silky smooth finish to enhance relaxation and aid the therapist to work more deeply into the muscles. The stones are heated to 180 degrees and allowed to cool just slightly before the therapist starts to transfer the heat into her hands and then onto the body. The stones themselves are used as massage tools. The hot stones are good for chronic conditions and acute muscle spasms and the cold stones are a great counter-point to the heat, increasing circulation, clearing blocked sinuses and decreasing muscular pain and discomfort.
*The Massage*
The massage began with me laying face down on the table and Cherie began working on my back. First, she warmed the body with traditional massage and then began incorporating the heated stones. She worked them deep into my back and I could feel the heat enter the muscles. I suffer with the common problem of tightness across my shoulders and neck but within 10/15 minutes could feel that the muscles were responding and relaxing, losing much of their tension.
As the stones cooled, Cherie replaced them with others. She used stones of various shapes and sizes, selecting them based on the part of the back or neck that she was working on. The warm sensation felt so incredibly relaxing and as I lay there in a dreamy state I remember thinking, “Wow, I can really feel this working”.
After Cherie had worked on my back for quite a while she moved onto the tightness across my neck and up into the back of my head. At the start this was a bit painful because my muscles are so tight in this area, but Cherie worked slowly and carefully and I could feel them surrender to the heat of the stones after just a short while.
She then started working on my legs and having the whole body treated with the stones allowed me to really relax my mind and work with the treatment, gradually releasing more and more stress and tension. I go to the gym and exercise quite a lot and while I always try to stretch after I work out I regularly have some tightness in my calves and above the ankles. Cherie worked the stones deep into the muscles and I felt instant relief.
Finally, I turned and lay on my back and Cherie worked across my shoulders and collar bone area. By this time I could feel that the muscles were so responsive to the heat and they allowed themselves to be worked naturally. I felt like I could easily drift off into a happy sleep.
Alas, as all good things must come to an end, so my hot and cold stone massage did. I sat up from the bed and felt a little light-headed; at ease and happy! The only disappointment was that the treatment had ended but as I walked out of the room and said good bye to Cherie I was already thinking “I’m definitely coming back for another one of these!”.
This treatment can be booked at the discounted rate of just £70 until 31st December. Bookings can be be made at reception or by calling 0208 743 4321.