Holistic Wellness in Pittsburgh
There are many ways to enjoy the benefits of holistic medicine in Pittsburgh, here are just a few.
If you've lived in Pittsburgh for any period of time, you know you can't travel more than a two-block radius before you run into a billboard for Allegheny Health Network or UPMC healthcare. They're everywhere, and for good reason. They're the medical backbone of our city. Medical professionals from around the world travel to Pittsburgh just to be a part of what we created here. Medical students from Pittsburgh and beyond vie for one of the few spots our hospitals offer in residencies. Pittsburgh has become one of the top medical capitols in the country - maybe even the world - and in a day and age when healthcare is one of the hottest topics in the news, that's something to be proud of.
When you live in a western medicine world, it’s hard to imagine anything else. What you may not know though, is that Pittsburgh also offers a whole other side to medicine - the eastern side.
Eastern Medicine
Eastern medicine is often referred to as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and dates back thousands of years. It’s known for its holistic approach that often includes herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, exercise, and dietary therapy, among others. It claims to be a long-term approach that looks at each individual uniquely, the relationship between mind and body, and creates a treatment plan accordingly. Just like you wouldn't have to travel far to find a hospital in Pittsburgh, you don't have to travel far to find alternative medicine either.
There are a lot of different methods out there when it comes to TCM, all focusing on varying aspects of the mind and body. Below are a few treatment examples.
Himalayan Salt Cave
East Liberty is home to Peace, Love and Zen whose goal is “provide a sanctuary where members of the community can de-stress while receiving state-of-the-art natural therapy.” Their services range far and wide, but among them is a Himalayan Salt Cave. Halotherapy, or “salt therapy,” involves salt particles that are inhaled deep into the lungs to help loosen congestion, increase oxygen intake and cleanse the airways of smoke, dust, pollution, pollens and other allergens. At Peace, Love, and Zen, all this takes place in the comfort of a lounge chair in what looks like a real cave. Those who have experienced it claim to have better breathing, improved skin and an overall sense of relaxation.
Reflexology
Part of the core practice in TCM is homing in on the senses, and how they respond to various treatments. Pittsburgh is home to a few businesses that use this method.
Reflexology has been practiced in China for over 4000 years. Through gentle manipulation of the feet, positive effects can be created elsewhere in the body. Beyond treating a myriad of medical conditions, reflexology also reduces stress. There are a handful of places that offer this around the city, one in particular, Happy Feet, is located right in Southside.
Floating
If foot massages and salt caves aren't your thing, try floating. That's right, floating; and the folks at Levity on Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill can help you do just that. In “pods” that hold up to 1000 pounds of dissolved Epsom salt in just 10 inches of water, the body is free to fully float - allowing all muscle groups to relax to the extreme. As the body relaxes, it transitions into sleep stage one, one of the most restful states the body can be in.
Sound
Sound healing (also called sound baths) is another way to float away using a variety of instruments to help your mind and body relax while promoting healing and stress relief. The new Awareness & Wellness Center in Shadyside offers sound healing services led by Monique Mead, an internationally acclaimed violinist. In Aspinwall, Rooted in Sound offers additional sound healing including sound massage, gong resonance therapy and sound reiki.
It's no secret that Pittsburgh is a leader in medicine. As technology advances and options expand, it’s hard not to be intrigued by what modern medicine has to offer. But if you look between all the hospitals, Urgent Cares, and doctors’ offices, you can find some pretty cool alternative options that were around long before our steel mills were.
Disclaimer: As always, consult your doctor before trying any new wellness treatments.
