July 2009

Non-Physical Benefits of Massage

Here at the Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health & Healing, we realize that the benefits of massage extend to so much more than just our bodies.  While massage therapy may get most of its attention for the effects it has on us physically and for stress relief, there are many other areas of our emotional, mental, and social health that can be positively influenced by massage.  You may be pleasantly surprised at the list below, as it points out some areas of our lives that we you not have realized can benefit so greatly from therapeutic massage.  I think the most wonderful thing about

Read more

sarah's picture

Massage for Fibromyalgia

For most Fibromyalgia sufferers, dealing with pain is a daily task. It can be difficult to find relief, even with commonly used medications and remedies. No one knows the exact cause of Fibromyalgia, which adds to its mystery and difficulty to treat. Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition where the muscles and nervous system are on overdrive. Muscles are tight and tense and the nerves do not receive signals to relax when necessary. This leads to a slew of other symptoms which include: headaches, disrupted sleep, depression and moodiness.

Read more

What Sports Massage Can Do For You

What Sports Massage Can Do For You

Sports massage, here at The Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing, is a great way to optimize your athletic experience. Sports massage can help in the prevention and recovery from sports related injuries. It can help increase range of motion and athletic performance. Sports massage "evens out" the muscle tone within the body, allowing the chronically tight muscles ( where injuries occur ) to relax. Massage increases oxygen and blood supply to the muscles as toxins are released.

Read more

I first experienced "Vegan Tiramisu" at our Co-op here in Pittsburgh. I actually think it tastes better than traditional tiramisu. It is a cool and delicious dessert perfect for summer. Plus without the animal products it is healthier for you and friendly to animals too! 

( Making it is a little involved but totally do-able and very well worth it!

Read more

Posted in

 I had not planted a garden this year as my family and I were planning to move. Our plans fell through; and I began frowning at my overgrown raised beds. On closer inspection, I became aware of the amazing variety of plants that chose to grow in my garden without any prompting.

 I postponed my plans for weeding out of an interest to know what these plants were. I have learned from an herbalist friend that many of the plants classified as weeds are, in fact, useful. I had her over and was pleased to find out that almost all these plants were edible and/or medicinal.

Read more