Did you know that there are over 200 different massage techniques?
If you’re not a regular spa- goer than you may only be familiar with some of the more known massages and treatments. But there is much more out there beside deep tissue massage or a relaxing massage – a heated massage takes your therapy to a whole new level.
A Heated massage use a heating element to help relax the muscles, open the pores and improve circulation. If you are looking to turn up the heat for an exciting new way to get pampered while on your Punta Cana vacation- here are 3 heated massages you probably never tried before.
Aromatic Pinda Massage:
The aromatic pinda massage originally comes from one of the world’s oldest healing sciences – the Ayurvedic medicinal tradition. This massage uses a tool called a pinda – a pouch made of a cloth filled with special mixture of medicinal plants and aromatic herbs. 
The Pindas are heated before the massage so that they can penetrate deep into the muscles and encourage sweating. As your pores open, the aromatic herbal mixture really comes to life and is absorbed through the body. You also breath in the aromatic treatment which helps you get into a deep sense of relaxation and calmness.
The benefits of this massage include:
- Break down fats and help the skin tone and drain
- Improves circulation and the movement of lymph in the body
- Relieves muscle tension, pain, and inflammation
- Helps stagnant substances expel from the bod
Lava Shell Massage Therapy
This treatment fits right with the theme of a beach side massage. The Lava Shell massage is done with highly polished tiger-striped clam shells from the Philippines. The shape of the shell mimics the feeling of a human hand. The nice round is used to really massage the larger muscles while the think sharper side can be used to really focus on knots, and around the shoulders blades. 
The shells contain a small sachet of “lava gel” inside – a mixture of minerals, dried sea kelp, and algae that is mixed with an activator liquid that creates a heat that lasts a couple of hours. The shells are made out of calcium carbonate – and when heated they produce calcium ions that are transferred directly to the skin through the warming action.
The combination of heat, massage, and the smell of tropical oils have a deep relaxing and calming sensation that calm the central nervous system
The benefits of this massage include:
- A good heat massage that’s not as intense as the Volcanic Stone Massage
- Improves circulation and lymph
- Reduces swelling and water retention
- This massage is good for a relaxing massage with a little heat that doesn’t go as deep as the hot stone massage
Volcanic Stone Therapy
The hot stone therapy is having a popular moment as a trendy new therapy, but this treatment is actually an ancient tradition practiced in China and by Native Americans in the United States. The weight of the stones combined with the heat makes for a therapy that burns so good.
This massage is done with heated smooth round volcanic stones called basalt. This material is really good at retaining heat and getting your muscles ready for some deep work. The stones are placed along trigger points – along your spine, between toes or fingers, in the palms of your hands for example.
The stones help the energy flow through these important points in the body. The stones can also be used to massage your body using Swedish massage techniques.
Some of the benefits of this massage include:
- More intense massage due to the penetrating heat and the stones used to massage
- Improves blood circulation, metabolism and lymph movement
- Helps with anxiety, depression, and gaining more restorative sleep
