Our Team
Vital Relief LLC is a queer, woman-owned massage therapy and reiki healing practice dedicated to helping others move better in their body. Each session is tailored to help you move with greater ease, feel more balanced, and support your body’s natural alignment and healing.
Vanessa Renee Gangewere, LMT
Massage Therapist, MSG 015897
Hi there! I specialize in therapeutic massage techniques designed help with overall tension and to address issues such as neck pain, back pain, SI joint dysfunction, pelvic imbalances, plantar fasciitis and so much more. My most requested modality is neuromuscular therapy. It combines elements of sports massage, deep tissue, trigger point, myofascial release, and stretching.
The story behind Vital Relief is deeply personal. Having experienced the challenges of SI joint pain firsthand, I understand the emotional and physical toll chronic pain can take. Massage therapy was a key part of my own healing journey—easing tension, restoring mobility, and helping me reconnect with my body. That experience inspired me to help aid others find their own path to relief.
I am certified in Prenatal Massage and received my massage therapy training from the Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy, where I gained a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, and hands-on therapeutic techniques. My work is grounded in both knowledge and empathy. Every session is designed to meet your unique needs in a safe, supportive environment.
Julie Van Kirk
Master Reiki Practitioner
Hi, I’m Julie. I’m a certified Reiki Master Practitioner specializing in Usui tradition. My mission is to assist my clients to reconnect with their body’s own innate ability to heal. I believe that true wellness begins with a regulated nervous system and a quiet mind. Each Reiki session is unique and offers you a holistic, non-invasive experience designed to restore balance to your mind, body and spirit.
After years in a fast-paced environment, I realized I was missing a deeper sense of purpose. Discovering Reiki felt like the final piece of my calling towards the healing arts.
Outside of my Reiki practice, I enjoy camping, music, yoga, photography and spending time with my husband and two kids on our farm.
I look forward to meeting you soon!