What are the benefits of using cold stones?

Using cold stone for massage purposes will benefit in dispersal of tissue congestion, alleviation of swelling, decreased muscle spasms, stimulation of the autonomic nervous system, increased tissue metabolism, and invigoration effect. After a trauma or injury, the tissue and blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to that area are damaged. The cells around the injury increase their metabolism in an effort to consume more oxygen and repair themselves. If and when the oxygen is used up, the cells are at risk of dying. Also, the damaged or constricted blood vessels cannot remove waste. Blood cells and fluid, in an attempt to protect those tissues, seep into the interstitial spaces in the surrounding area, which results in swelling and bruising. When ice, or an object of colder temperature is applied, it lowers the temperature of the damaged tissue through heat exchange and constricts local blood vessels. This slows metabolism and the consumption of oxygen, therefore reducing the rate of cell damage and decreasing fluid build-up or swelling.