As a social media specialist, I live behind a screen. Most of my time is spent working on a computer or driving to get to work in Stanford. I am also a migraine sufferer, so computer screens, fluorescent lights, and driving are major triggers for headaches and dry eyes. I deal with a lot of pain in my eyes, neck, head, and sometimes even my whole body.
I am lucky enough to work near Esther’s Wellhouse in Stanford, Ky. I got the opportunity to sit down with some of their massage therapists and estheticians for advice on different types of treatment.
Recently, I met with Massage Therapist Aaron Preston to chat about head and neck pain and how I could benefit from a Hot Stone Massage.
“Hot Stone Massages are great for releasing the tension in your head and neck,” Aaron said. “Either a Cold Stone or Hot Stone Massage are both great choices if you need that kind of relief.”
The best part of this treatment is how comfortable the therapists at Esther’s Wellhouse make you feel prior to getting treatment. You walk into their lobby, and you are immediately hit with relaxing scents of Eucalyptus. I instantly started to feel a little better. I use Eucalyptus and Peppermint in my oil diffuser at home when I am trying to get headache relief. Just the scent of the room put me at ease.
They sit down with you beforehand and take the time to figure out which scents and oils to use during your treatment and what areas of the body you want to focus on. It truly is a whole-body experience with a focus on your mental and physical well-being.
After years of migraines, heat is one of the most useful tools for me, so I was ecstatic to hear more about heat therapy.
A Hot Stone Massage is where temperature-controlled stones are used in combination with massage techniques along your spine, stomach, chest, face, palms, feet, toes, upper back, or neck. Most stones are heated no more than 145 degrees.
“While the stones are hot, we are strategically trained on how to handle them in conjunction with skin,” Aaron said. “If they are too hot for me, I am not going to put them on your body.”
They use the stones as massage tools so the stones are never left sitting on your body.
You can even request a combo cold/hot stone massage to treat headaches if you have one on the day of your treatment. The combination of hot and cold are useful techniques. This is something I already do at home. I often place an ice pack on the back of my neck while sticking my feet in hot water. But there is just something more relaxing about having someone else do it for you!
“What I love about a Hot Stone Massage is that it really reduces tension in your body,” Aaron said. “If you don’t get rid of existing tension first, it’s hard to get real relief. The heat specifically targets that.”
According to Aaron, it also helps reduce stress and anxiety because it calms you down. This in turn helps sleeping habits.
Now, this automatically pepped me up. Headaches, stress, anxiety, and insomnia often go hand-in-hand. I don’t know about you, but I will do whatever it takes to feel better when a migraine strikes.
As always, I encourage everyone to look up the benefits and any risks in treatments they receive beforehand. You want to make sure you pick the best option for you!
For more information on Esther’s Wellhouse or Hot Stone treatments, visit estherswellhouse.com.
