In honor of National Massage Therapy Awareness Week, I wanted to showcase one of the unique sessions offered at the Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing: the Body and Soul. This is a deeply relaxing combination of customized therapeutic massage and reiki.

Massage has many notable health benefits. Massage therapy has been shown to improve such things as aggression, depression, anxiety, migraines, post-traumatic stress disorder, PMS, sleep, spinal cord injuries and job performance.* I have seen these results echo through my clientele.

After experiencing reiki, clients have expressed: feelings of deep relaxation, gaining clarity on unclear issues, decrease in muscle tension, and feelings of joy. I have found that using reiki in key points during a massage session can help the effects of the massage sink deeper/last longer and also help to release areas not responding well to massage techniques. The benefits of massage and reiki combined together have the potential for a well-rounded self care experience. Massage can help with physical pain and stress reduction while reiki works on an emotional as well as stress reducing level.

I asked a client who regularly receives the ‘Body & Soul’ session to say a little bit about her experience of the work:

“As a Therapist working with survivors of chronic trauma I find that I regularly "bring my work home with me."  This is not to say that I THINK of my clients at the end of the day, but in many ways I store not only their stories, but my reactions to them in my physical body.  As a result, I find myself to be someone who struggles with vicarious trauma, mostly anxiety, and therefore often disconnect from my physical self (living more in my head) as a way to cope.  Like many in my field, I see a therapist for my own emotional and mental health in order to be as healthy as I can for myself and my clients.  What I found though, was that something in my self-care routine was missing.  I tried running, going to the gym, yoga, and nothing seemed to help me find that balance that I was looking for...until Sarah introduced me to Reiki.

When I moved back to Pittsburgh over a year ago, I began to work with Sarah to help me manage my physical and emotional well being.  Every other week Sarah and I meet for 1 hour doing a combination of Reiki and Massage.  While I have always been a believer in the power of massage, I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about Reiki.  How could something that was not working directly with my physical structure (muscles, joints, bones) help my physical body?  The results have been incredible!  First and foremost the actual session is always a powerful experience.  Sarah has helped me to really listen to my body, trust the process, and be honest with her about my experience.  At times I have found that she will have her hands (which get so hot it's like she is on fire) above a particular spot on my body and tears will start to stream from my eyes.  It is as if she is tapping into a sadness that I did not consciously bring into the room.    At times Sarah will use techniques that allow me to feel a sense of weightlessness surrendering to a powerlessness that somehow gives me more of a sense of control over my body.  I always leave feeling refreshed and more connected to my physical self.”    -J.F.

Sarah is also excited about this offer for National Massage Therapy Awareness Week, as she just recently completed her Reiki Master attunement in September. Call  the Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing  (412) 242-4220, TODAY, 10/26/2009, to schedule your Body & Soul session and receive $10 off. I am looking forward to seeing you!

Offer valid ONLY on appointments scheduled 10/26/09