I have been staying in Pittsburgh for several weeks due to the hospitalization of a family member. The stress of the situation has been building up and leading to tension headaches so I sought out a day spa to get a massage. Little did I know that it would be one the best massages I have ever had. The Spa itself is small but beautifully decorated and clean. Everyone was incredibly friendly from the time that I called to schedule the appointment to the time I paid after the massage was done. Another commenter had a parking issue, but I went mid-afternoon on a weekday and didn't have any trouble finding parking on the street close by. I had a 1 hour deep tissue massage with Massage Therapist John Ubie Ubinger. He was personable, welcoming from the start and incredibly professional. He took time before he started to understand what my problem areas were (not the cursory, routine questions that I sometimes experience) and then customized the massage to really focus on those areas, mainly my neck, shoulders, arms and scalp. He didn't ignore my lower back, legs and feet, but didn't spend unneeded time on them. In other words, he didn't simply follow a formula or routine. The scented oils he used were lovely and he also he also used DEEP Blue Rub on my neck and shoulders for added relief. Along with the massage, he helped to stretch my neck and also recommended a stretching technique to do at night that he thought would help with loosening up my muscles. The massage table was heated and at various times during the massage he put a hot compress under my neck and over my eyes and wet towels on my back and feet. The whole effect was warm, relaxing, and soothing. I have had many massages from those at high end resorts to day spas. There are no comfy robes or luxurious sitting rooms at this spa, but I walked out of there much more relaxed than I do at other places.

My daughter and I visited the Centre Ave Massage & Spa for a birthday/Christmas gift to each other, from each other. You will be asked to do light paperwork for the purposes of your therapist to understand any health issues or other concerns you may have. This is not meant to be intrusive and is necessary. This spa is small but well run. The massage therapists doing our facials were personable, caring, and professional. Although this is a facial, (the services we wanted), a neck and arm massage was included. You will lie down and under an electric blanket. For the purposes of massage to the areas included we were asked to remove upper clothing, but you are covered and you are treated with the utmost respect. Remember to take off your jewelry (I didn't think about my rings and should have). The massage technique done actually included all the way to my fingers, hands, wrists, shoulders, neck and arms. There was music playing (fairly typical kind you would expect-but nice.) The room is dimmed. I was most certainly relaxed and pleased with my massage and facial. Other services include active isolated stretching, deep tissue massage, myofascial release, orthopedic, and reflexology. Prices are really reasonable. Remember, you are not going to a highly fancy hotel type spa. The services are excellent for what we got. Remember that the time you are there will depend on the service purchased. The only real problem had nothing to do with that; it was with parking. I would suggest being dropped off or take public transportation if at all possible.