Cardiff Hot Stones
Massage Therapy

Hot Stone Massage Therapy is second only to Shiatsu Facials in terms of pure indulgent pampering. As a Holistic experience the Hot Stones are much more than a relaxing massage. It actually enters into the realm of ecstatic well-being. See also our lymphatic drainage section for specialised detox work.

The Hot Stones massage routine itself is very similar to Swedish massage, however, the volcanic basalt stones, hand picked from the Asian Pacific, have their own inherent high magnetic field and are capable of retaining heat for very long periods of time, with wonderfully relaxing health benefits and soft tissue repair.

Although the hot stones are heated to 60c, during the massage, they are never stationary on the body or placed directly onto the skin. They are manipulated by the therapist and included in the massage routine as an integral part of the stroking massage movement.

CNHC registered and fully recognised by most insurance companies. CNHC is a government sponsored registration body for complementary healthcare practitioners. The Department of Health advises all GPs to direct patients seeking Massage Therapy to seek out only CNHC (the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council) registered massage therapists.

Hot Stone massage therapy is accepted by Health Shield - please see their TCs.

What can you expect?
Some complementary therapy benefits may include easing your pain, relieving fatigue, helping you to relax, lift your mood and give you a feeling of well being. Our therapeutic massage treatments are tailor made for your health needs and stress levels - it's up to you to decide: revitalize, repair, uplift & re-energize yourself, or de-stress and relax?

As our spectrum of professional knowledge, range of massage treatments and 26-years of expertise is so wide, you may gain benefits in many fields. This may further support you on your healing journey, alongside conventional medicine.

As the Hot Stones massage routine assists extremely deep tissue relaxation and lymphatic drainage, using these as part of a sports massage routine or as a cellulite / water retention helper - is highly beneficial. In combination with Aromatherapy, Hot Stones can help in a weight loss program by stimulating your metabolic rate, detoxifying and enhancing your body's own lymphatic drainage - Thus, help you in eliminating fluid or water retention.

HOT STONES MASSAGE IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE TO A CALORIE-CONTROLLED HEALTHY EATING REGIME.

See a 15 minute YouTube video demonstration .

An integral part of the Stones Therapy treatment is the inclusion of specially selected crystals, with very unique electrostatic and ultrasonic fields. These have a great balancing and healing effect on your body and spirits.

The Hot Stones may induce a very deep sense of relaxation and could be very welcome at any time of year.

WATER RETENTION / CELLULITE & WEIGHT LOSS

To further encourage your body to shed its water retention, you are strongly advised to introduce NATURAL DIURETIC FOODS into your daily diet, as well as increasing your general water intake.
As a rule of thumb, take your body weight in Kg, half it and divide by 10 to find your desired daily water intake in litres (eg. if you weigh 65kg / 10St, you should be drinking at least 3 litres of water a day / 6 pints. All these are best consumed fresh, raw or whole as opposed to them being juiced or dried:
Half a Grapefruit or a tea-spoon of apple cider vinegar, first thing in the morning.
Fresh Fennel, Asparagus, Beetroot, Spring onions, Brussels sprouts and radishes. Fresh or dried (unsweetened) Cranberries. Herbal teas of (organic): Fennel, Nettle, Dandelion and Green Tea.

There is an excellent article about the importance of SEROTONIN in a balanced diet.

Hot Stones Massage Testimonials:

Hot stones and aromatherapy massage. Really brilliant. Felt amazingly relaxed and healthy. Loads of benefits from the great nutrition advice and was shown a beneficial exercise routines. Marshall is MUCH more than just a massage therapist. Go there and enjoy!
Zoe + Rich Cardiff 22 December 2011

The session began with an introduction to hot stones, starting with smaller stones gliding across my back in a variety of directions, feeling unlike anything I'd ever felt before!! The longer the session went on the stones began to cool, the now cool stones were placed in key locations supporting the next phase, Philip moved onto deep tissue massage. This built on the hot stones perfectly, almost as if they had been used primarily for preparation. Initially targeting the spinal muscles and branching along my shoulders, although the pressure increased in intensity through this session, at no point was I worried, more fascinated at the skill in the positioning. The application of pressure from the thumbs along either side of my spine was especially potent, and I recommend it highly.
Alfred Cardiff 27 March 2011

… was very relaxing and my aches and pains had gone by the end. – Jenny Cardiff 17 March 2011

… made me realise I should take better care of myself, his advice makes me feel far fresher and I recover quicker from physical exercise as a result. – Robyn Cardiff 17 Feb 2011

it was completely relaxing and I found it really helped with back pain I had at the time.
- Richard Cardiff Feb 2011

… was very relaxing and soothing. I highly recommend that you treat yourself to a very special pampering session. – Fay Cardiff 1 Feb 2011

… an exceptional massage … heavenly! The feeling is that of deep relaxation but a nice buzz of calm elation… And to think that I have also lost a good 4kg of my cellulite as well – what a blissful way to shed weight. – Sharon Cardiff 1 Feb 2011

A truly relaxing experience which I will now make a ritual! – Natasha Cardiff 7 Jan 2011

… was wonderful and left me feeling so relaxed afterwards… it was the best massage I've ever had. I'd really recommend Philip to anyone who wants a treatment in Cardiff, as I think they'd be hard pushed to find anyone better. – Melissa Cardiff 17 Dec 2015

… after the first session I could see a huge difference and after the second session the pain was but a far away memory. – Sharon Cardiff 13 Dec 2015

… The stones really eased my muscular tension and allowed very deep and profound neuro-muscular trigger pointing without too much discomfort. In fact, the end feeling was of wonderful relaxation - a sensation that I have long forgotten after months of discomfort. Even three days later, I still felt a comforting warm 'buzz'. – Boris Cardiff 1 Nov 2015

… very relaxing and extremely worthwhile, I would recommend it to anyone. – Emma Cardiff 22 Sep 2015

Some techniques that may be used in Hot and Cold Stones Therapy are:

Hot and Cold Stones Therapy benefits may include:

Who can benefit from Hot and Cold Stones Therapy?

Your Questions Answered

Why is this different to a Swedish massage?

A Swedish massage is generally more energetic, with less attention paid to the actual balancing of your energy fields. A Stones massage therapy treatment is especially good for those who would like to achieve a deep state of relaxation and a sense of well-being, while also feeling re-energised, with a newly found sense of balance. As mentioned, above, this routine lends itself well for use on chronic muscle pain, ongoing back pain, soft tissue repair etc.

Why and when would cold stones be used?

Generally speaking, cold stones would be used when a stimulating or more energizing routine is called for. They are especially refreshing when used on the face, forehead & feet and are extremely beneficial if a client needs to go back to work or ‘go out’ later in the day and does not want to be ‘subdued’ or feel deeply relaxed following a routine.

Furthermore, they are very beneficial in treating muscular injuries and inflammation, within Sports Therapy etc. Ice-cold stones have the initial benefit of being a vasoconstrictor, in narrowing the blood vessels and decreasing local tissue temperature. This will help alleviate any localised swelling or inflammation as well as numbing the area and reducing pain, especially headaches or migraine.

Cold stones are very useful on pregnant women, with their slightly heightened body temp.

Stones Therapy is performed with oil and you may wish to UPGRADE* it by adding:

Prices are for reference only, as the hot stones treatment will be tailor made:

KINDLY NOTE – BEST PREPARATION FOR A HOT & COLD STONES THERAPY: