At The Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing, we are dedicated to find whatever your healing requires...whether it be a muscular issue alone or as time goes on, we discover that the tension in your muscles relate to some type of emotional hold in the body. We are the biggest fans of massage here at The Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing in the light of receiving and giving.  The more and more we receive, the more knowledgeable we are about the clients experience on the table as well.  I would say, not so shabby of a career choice:)  Lately, I have been receiving massage for the physical reasons.  I walk in to the room explaining that I need specific parts of my body worked on for various reasons.  After getting on the table, I find that the physical aspects are tremendously necessary but I once again, find myself drifting off into a world of total relaxation.  And I realize that I needed this for so many reasons other than my physical pain.  Leaving, the therapist and I talk about why this session was important.  I learn so much more about my body after just one session and discussing this brings togetherness on the whole experience.  Openness before and after each massage session makes the massage experience so much more effective and beneficial.   I notice from time to time, that some clients shy away from or feel too hurried to take the time to fill out the intake form.  And then when sitting in the room with the therapist, question why all of the information required is so important.  The intake process is necessary for a lot of reasons. It opens up a comfortable space to talk about your preferences and dislikes of a massage.  It gives the client time to settle into the room and become acquainted with the therapist and his or her surroundings.  The therapist then learns through reading and discussing what brought the client to the center.  Past surgeries and past accidents could be why the client is here in the first place...the client's body is still suffering from something that occurred years and years ago.  The intake process also gives the therapist some time to be open about his or her intentions and to make the client feel as comfortable as possible before starting the session. Honesty is very important for the client to practice.  What is the client's true intention for being here?  What kind of pressure does the client like? Bringing all of this knowledge about the client and the therapist forward makes the session most successful because it is fully informative and opens up the space for a most beneficial session. The end result is a coming together of the client and the therapist discussing what was gained from the session and what could make the future session even more therapeutic.     Massage is a total stress reliever.  It is a reliever of tension emotionally and physically.  Stress takes a major toll on our bodies and our minds and it can deflate our spirits.  Stress takes us to a place of fatigue, moodiness, and tightened muscles. Whether it is the first time or the tenth time that you have walked into The Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing, please remember that your honesty and patience and openness can make your session more beneficial and most successful for melting away the stresses held in your body and mind.    In honor of National Massage Therapy Awareness Week call  the Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing TODAY (412) 242-4220 today, 10/28/2009, to and mention “Stress Buster Promo” and save 10% off of any massage valued at $100 or more! **Offer valid 10/28/09 ONLY