Cold stone massage therapy involves chilling smooth stones and then gently placing or rolling them over the face, neck, or other areas of the body. The cooling sensations from this type of cryotherapy cause vasoconstriction of the blood vessels. And once the cold stones are removed from the skin, the blood vessels begin dilating and supplying fresh blood and oxygen to the affected areas.

One of the more obvious benefits of cooling your body using cold stones is alleviating discomfort associated with high body temperatures and hot flashes. But beyond that, there are therapeutic benefits for a variety of other conditions. And unlike treatments using ice, cold stones don’t cause desensitization of the skin. Cold stones can promote circulation, reduce inflamed swelling, decrease muscle spasms, and acts as a powerful decongestant for the body.

Here are some of the more common benefits of cold stone massage:

• Boost Circulation

While massage therapy using cold stones can help improve overall circulation, it may also help to reduce high blood pressure.

• Relieve Migraines

When cold stones are rolled or placed on the temples, forehead, and sides of the face, this massage helps reduce the flow of blood rushing to these areas. This can relieve migraines and severe headaches by reducing pulsing sensations, throbbing pain, and pounding discomfort.

• Soothe Sinusitis

The cold temperature of the stones during this massage can improve lymphatic flow by opening lymph nodes and draining stagnant fluids. This can help alleviate symptoms of sinusitis or allergenic rhinitis, and reduce other sinus problems such as pressure, swelling, congestion, and postnasal drip.

• Ease Menstrual Symptoms

When cold stone massage therapy is done in the abdominal region, it can reduce swelling around the uterus. This can help alleviate some common menstrual symptoms like pain, bloating, and discomfort.

• Improve Skin

As cold stone massage therapy stimulates the skin, it can oxygenate cells which naturally accelerates cell repair. This reduces cell production of cytokines, which improves the complexion by reducing puffiness or redness in the face.

• Sports Injuries

Injuries from playing sports such as sore muscles, joint pain, and tendinitis may benefit from cold stone massage therapy. That’s because cryotherapy treatments can soothe inflammation and reduce swelling in these areas.

• Relax, Refresh, & Revitalize

The cool stones used during massage can help contract muscles, increase circulation, and alleviate bloating. By cooling down the muscles and skin, cold stone massage therapy feels soothing, calming, refreshing, and rejuvenating throughout the body, which can also reduce stress, relieve tension, and boost energy levels.

• Precautions

While cold stone massages are typically safe and well-tolerated, you should consult a doctor beforehand if you have a health condition that might contraindicate this therapy. This includes if you’ve recently received radiation therapy, you’re pregnant or have heart disease, high blood pressure, circulatory problems, or blood clots.