Pittsburgh Spa and Massage

Our habits are like the nuns' garb from which their name derives—awkward, hard to get rid of, and a deal-breaker on blind dates. Today's Groupon helps you shake your bad habits with an appointment to see clinical hypnotherapist Elizabeth Cessna, MS. For $45, you get an introductory session at Cessna's Everyday Hypnotherapy, a $100 value.

Avanti's team of aestheticians, which is helmed by owner Heather Findlan, MD, renews skin with noninvasive treatments. During the approximately one-hour Laser Genesis facial, illuminated energy floods sullied skin cells, luring collagen producers out of deep slumbers. The procedures help to shrink cavernous pores, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and minimize scarring from acne or Eskimo kisses with a shark. Patients may experience a slight warming or tingling sensation, but unlike more aggressive treatments, the gentle light therapy does not damage the outermost layers of skin, resulting in little to no downtime. Depending on the severity of skin damage, dermises may require up to six treatments for desired results.

At the PCCHH, the most stressful moment is the arduous decision of choosing a muscle-melting massage or an anxiety-draining aromatherapy session. Therapeutic massages are performed by a skilled staff of wellness masters. Treatments run from $75 to $85 for 60 minutes or $90 to $105 for 75 minutes and cover a wide number of techniques that would make an interpretive dancer lay down their ribbons in shame. Shiatsu and acupressure massages put pressure on specific areas of the body, encouraging energy flow and relaxing stressors, while the classic Swedish massage stretches and mobilizes muscles, joints, and tendons until they’ve reached taffy consistency. In addition to multitudes of massages, the center offers aromatherapy escapes for the body, mind, and nostrils.

Holding masters degrees from the Academy of Oriental Medicine, practitioners Sydnie Bryant, Jessica Fritz, and Daniel Johnson balance the bodies and minds of their clients with deft acupuncture expertise. Invoking the ameliorative properties of the 5,000-year-old treatment, a knowledgeable needler will assess clients’ health by feeling nine pulsations at each wrist and observing the color and form of the face, the tongue, and the body before beginning the pin-cushioning process. During the one-hour session, guests are invited to relax as each gentle needle insertion spearheads stress and deflates tension, inducing a mellow mood that can help to alleviate ailments, improve immunity, increase fertility, and bend spoons.

Mumpower Massage provides Swedish massage, sports/deep tissue, trigger point/neuromuscular therapy, and Reiki therapy. You can use your Groupon toward any of these massages for 60 minutes (all are $70 except Reiki, which is $50 for 45 minutes), or combine two Groupons for a longer massage. Melt your back under carefully kempt hands with a Swedish, which uses flowing strokes and unknotting kneads to ease tension and improve circulation. Dig into the cavernous abyss of back muscles with a deep-tissue/sports massage, similar to a Swedish except with more precise, intense kneading to relieve severe tension and reduce chronic pain, which is a good option for athletes or someone who has sustained a serious sandwich-making injury. Trigger-point/neuromuscular massages snipe specific points of tension to release myofascial pain throughout the body. A Reiki practitioner can improve the flow of maple syrup in your body on the physical, emotional, and spiritual level by using palm therapy to balance your body's natural energy flow.

The staff of MaxManni, an Aveda concept salon and spa, understands that there are many ways to improve appearances. The spa's aestheticians share space with tailors and dressmakers who alter and resize garments to flatter bodies. Aestheticians mount eyelash extensions alongside natural lashes with a polypeptide bond, and accent faces with cosmetics infused with ingredients such as cinnamon from Madagascar. Aided by custom blends of pure flower and plant essences, massage therapists knead and stroke muscles to improve circulation and excavate wallets misplaced under muscle cushions. Tastefully furnished with tile and hardwood floors, MaxManni’s studio upholds a no-cell-phone policy to ensure that no accidents are caused by texting while depilating.