This form of bodywork involves the use of warmed volcanic rocks and subtly cooled marble stones applied to the body in various ways to bring relief to stiff and sore muscles. Resulting in alleviation of chronic and acute problems that many of us deal with on a daily basis. The therapeutic potential of this treatment goes beyond measure. The physiological benefits of alternating hot & cold to the body have long been scientifically and medically proven.
Heat - The short term effect of heat on the body for 5 mins:
* Causes vasodilation - a widening of the blood vessels, increasing blood supply - flushing.
* Increases circulation - floods the body with oxygenated blood
* Increases metabolism - improves the rate at which the body processes foods, toxins, burns energy, and clears through
* Increases pulse rate - increasing circulation and pumps the heart faster
* Increases cell metabolism - the rate at which the body manufactures good chemicals eg hormones
* Increasees lymph function - the bodies waste disposal system
* Decreases the stimulus of the myoneural junction - relaxes the muscle response
* Reduces spacticity in the muscle - allowing increased range work and reduced tension
* The body becomes deeply relaxed, healing takes place more efficiently |
Cold - In contrast the short term effect (1-2 mins) of cold on the body is
* Vasoconstriction - the narrowing of blood vessels restricting blood supply to areas
* Analgesic effect - the body releases a natural pain relief substance (Prostaglandin) which in turn reduces muscle spindle spacticity
* 'shock' effect of temperature change - increases circulation/oxygenation of the blood
* Inhibits release of necrosin - natural chemical that destroys tissue, muscle damage stops
* Reduction of inflammation - excess blood sent away from area
* Reduces histimine - the irritant present in muscle stress which means the muscle is relaxed |
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