Services

I gladly offer all the following services either in my Silver Spring studio or in your home. Prices shown are for Silver Spring location. A travel charge of $25 will apply for services provided at your location.

Massage is an Extraordinary Gift - Always the right size and color
Never goes out of style
Non Perishable - Suitable for all occasions
An indulgence that is good for you

Gift Certificates Are Available

Seated Massage

Chair massage counters the circulatory problems inherent with office work—and provide a appreciated break for employees. Sitting in a massage chair opens up the back muscles, relieves strain on the neck and provides a gentle respite for eyes usually glued to a computer monitor. Even 15 minutes of massage to the neck, back, arms and hands can increase circulation, returning energy levels and helping keep the body injury free.

Tight muscles caused by stress and sitting behind a desk all day, especially at a work station that is not ergonomically designed, can impede blood and lymph flow through the body. The result is mental fogginess, decreased energy and susceptibility to repetitive stress injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome.

A wonderful antidote to stress and muscle tension, massage will rub away fatigue, induce relaxation and revitalization, improve alertness and motivation and reduce anxiety levels.

We offer comprehensive five to thirty-minute chair and table massages, right in your workplace! Our On-Site Massages entail a fully clothed treatment of the head, neck, shoulders, back and arms that relieve the symptomatic effects of work-related stress. Our licensed and insured massage therapists can be scheduled for reoccurring visits to one time events at your place of business.

* On-site massage is a short massage for the neck, shoulders, back and arms and hands. The massage is given in a portable chair especially designed for client comfort. The client remains fully clothed during the session, which typically lasts 15 - 20 minutes.

Why Use On-Site Massage?

* It’s convenient - no need to leave the workplace - on-site massage comes to you!
* Anyone can participate - age is not a factor and no special fitness level is needed.
* Immediate results - most people notice a difference as soon as the massage is complete.
* It’s cost-effective - there is no investment in equipment and the company only pays for the employees who use the program.

Use On-Site Massage as

* Part of an ongoing wellness program - Massage reduces stress, a factor in many health-related issues. Proactive companies, interested in maintaining and increasing employee wellness will benefit from increased morale and productivity and may be eligible for premium reductions from their insurance carriers.
* A reward for meeting goals or production deadlines
* Recognition for birthdays or special events
* A component of a health fair

On-Site Chair Massage Fees:

As low as $1/minute
*Discounts apply for long-term contracts
*2-hour minimum

Swedish Massage

Focuses on the skin and superficial muscles(the ones closest to the surface). I can use it in a number of ways: to warm up your tissue before we try anything deeper, to encourage the effective work of your circulatory system, or simply to help you relax.

Swedish massage is the most commonly offered and best known type of massage. It was developed by a Swedish physiologist, Henri Peter Ling at the University of Stockholm in 1812. It uses a firm but gentle pressure to improve the circulation, ease muscle aches and tension, improve flexibility and create relaxation.

Swedish massage is the foundation for other types of Western massage, including sports, deep tissue and aromatherapy.
60 minutes $80
75 minutes $95
90 minutes $120

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is a type of massage aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, also called connective tissue. Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish massage but the pressure will generally be more intense. It is also a more focused type of massage, as I work to release chronic muscle tension or knots (also known as “adhesions.”) Deep tissue techniques help me get in close contact with the superficial muscles and the deeper muscles of your body to help them release tension and tightness they may be holding on to. Some people who have had deep tissue work done think that it has to hurt. It does not have to be this way. You and I will work together to be as effective as we can while keeping your discomfort as low as possible.

It’s important to be realistic about what one massage can achieve. Many people ask for more pressure, thinking that if the therapist just pushes hard enough, they can get rid of all their knots in an hour. This just won’t happen. In fact, undoing chronic knots and tension built up over a lifetime is best achieved with an integrated program that includes exercise, work on your posture and ways of moving, relaxation techniques and a regular program of massage. 
60 minutes $80
75 minutes $95
90 minutes $120

Hot Stone Massage (Silver Spring Studio Only)

Hot stone Massage is a combination of massage therapy, energy work, aromatherapy and thermotherapy which creates a deeply relaxing experience. Nerves carry impulses from the skin deeper into the body where they are instrumental in stimulating the immune system, influencing the production of stress hormones, invigorating the circulation and digestion, encouraging blood flow, lessening pain sensitivity, as well as sedating the nervous system and inducing relaxation. It is the use of heated stones to relax and rejuvenate the person on the table.
75 minutes $120
90 minutes $140

Usui Reiki

The word Reiki is composed of two Japanese characters. The first, REI, means spirit, guided, conscious, or universe; the second, KI, means life force. When you put them together you have a conscious energy that may be used to heal. The system is called the Usui System of Natural Healing, after it was rediscovered in Japan by Mikao Usui in the early 20th century and later brought to the West.

A Reiki session usually takes between one and two hours. Reiki is not massage, nor is it based on belief or suggestion. The session is performed by a Certified Reiki Practitioner or Certified Reiki Master/Teacher (CRP or CRMT) using specific hand positions or energy scanning either lightly touching the body or just above it. During the Reiki session, the client is fully clothed while comfortably reclining on a massage table or seated in a chair. Reiki is a very relaxing experience and has many benefits including: stress reduction, pain reduction, emotional release, and helping your body heal itself.
60 minutes $75

Sekhem-Seichim Reiki (SSR)

This Healing System is a combination of Usui Reiki and energies derived from a transcendental experience that its founder, Patrick Zeigler, had in the Great Pyramid in Egypt in 1979. The system opens the Heart Center and can cause deep emotional releases from the current or past lifetimes.
A standard treatment includes placing the hands on various areas of the body, such as the head, shoulders, stomach, knees and feet. People’s experiences vary during a Reiki session; however, most people feel the energy as heat. They may feel tingling, vibrating or waves of energy from the hands of the practitioner.
As the Reiki energy begins to release blocks caused by tension, anxiety, fear, or other negative thoughts and feelings, some people drift off to sleep or enter into a light dreamlike state. Some see colors, report spiritual experiences and mystical visions.
At the end of the treatment, one feels relaxed and refreshed with a positive, more balanced outlook.
Reiki is excellent for assisting in the healing of any physical, mental, emotional and spiritual issues of any kind and it gives wonderful results.
60 minutes $75

Contact Information

Here’s how to get in touch with me:

Telephone: (240)460-9259

Email: ursamassage@aim.com

Resources

WebMD Health

WebMD Health is the leading provider of online information, educational services and communities for physicians and consumers. Their website provides an archive to many medical journals and articles and in-depth descriptions of various conditions and illnesses.

American Massage Therapy Association

The AMTA is the oldest and largest institution representing the massage therapy profession. Their website is a great reference for industry related information and current events.

National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork

The NCBTMB aims to foster higher standards of ethical and professional practice through a credentialing program that assures the competency of practitioners of massage therapy and bodywork. This is a professional credential, but will not substitute for a license to practice massage therapy.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is the Federal Government’s lead agency for scientific research on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). We are 1 of the 27 institutes and centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Midnight Sun Herbal Health

Midnight Sun Herbal Health is a comprehensive holistic health practice, based in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) . We work with a diverse group of clients in all age groups who experience health issues ranging from acute illnesses to long standing & chronic health challenges. Our tools are; nutrition, herbal therapies, Polarity Therapy.

High Energy Fitness

Personal Trainer For Women in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg, Kensington, Northwest DC, Olney, Potomac, Silver Spring, Rockville and Takoma Park.

Massage Warehouse

Get great deals on massage supplies from this internet superstore.

Tanning Beds

Get a great tanning bed at a great price from the largest online supplier of equipment for tanning beds in the USA.

Portable Spa

Wide variety of portable spas in stock ready to ship to you year round.

Business Hours

I offer services at the following business locations and times. For appointments at my Silver Spring studio or on-site service, please contact me at 240-460-9259 and we’ll work together to find the time that is most convenient for you.

ALL TIMES ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Monday

11am - 7pm  Call 240-460-9259.

Tuesday

12pm - 8pm  Call 240-460-9259

Wednesday

3pm - 8pm  Meadow Hill Wellness  Annapolis, MD  Call 410-263-0411.

Thursday

10am - 6pm  Call 240-460-9259

Friday

10am - 4pm  Meadow Hill Wellness  Annapolis, MD  Call 410-263-0411.

Sunday

12am - 4pm  Call 240-460-9259

Cancellation Policy

We understand that things come up. We’re small and flexible and, unlike most other facilities, we’ll let you reschedule whenever you need to. All we ask is that you give us at least 24 hours notice.

If you completely miss an appointment (unless it is due to an emergency involving a hospital) we expect payment in full for the missed appointment.

If there is a snow or other weather emergency we will  try to reach our scheduled clients by phone. Your safety is important to us so it will be up to you to decide if you feel safe driving. If we don’t reach you please call to let us know either way - no charge to reschedule.

Cancellation messages may be left at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Therapeutic Massage?
Massage therapy is the manipulation of soft tissue. Other terms included in the definition are effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (percussion), compression, vibration, friction, nerve strokes, and Swedish gymnastics, either by hand or with mechanical or electrical apparatus for the purpose of body massage. Massage therapy can include the use of oils, lotions, salt glows, heat lamps, hot or cold packs and tub, shower or cabinet baths.

What Happens During a Hot Stone Massage?
*Before you arrive, the massage therapist sanitizes the stones and heats them in 120 and 150 degree water.
* The therapist uses traditional strokes of Swedish massage while holding a heated stone. As the stone cools, the therapist replaces it with another.
* The therapist might also leave heated stones in specific points along your spine, or in the palms of your hand, or even between your toes to improve the flow of energy in your body.
* If you have inflammation or muscle injury, cold stones are sometimes used.

What is the best frequency of treatment?
This will vary, but here are some guidelines. If you are seeking massage treatment for remediation from a recent injury, it is usually recommend that the first two or three treatments be spaced every three to four days or weekly depending on the severity of the pain or dysfunction. For a long term dysfunction like arthritis, a monthly treatment is recommended until your condition is stabilized. For therapeutic treatments, most people find that once a month suits their needs, but some come more frequently.

How do I choose a therapist?
Since you are paying for this treatment, you are ultimately in control. A therapist should be happy to explain what is going to happen to you and what they are hoping to achieve. Not all therapists are forthcoming with this information and you may have to ask, but you should expect a satisfactory reply. Remember that private therapists are employed by you to give you the therapy that you are paying for. The easiest way to find a good therapist is through a recommendation from someone who has been to see the therapist and is happy with the treatment they received.

Will Therapy hurt?
If at any time the treatment you are receiving is causing you too much discomfort, ask the therapist to stop or ease off for a few minutes. Be open and let the therapist know how you are feeling and your treatment will be a lot more enjoyable and productive. The old adage “no pain no gain” is not relevant to massage therapy treatments you receive. Remember that it is your physical condition or dysfunction that is painful, not the treatment. You should feel better at the end of each treatment and the treatments will become more comfortable as your dysfunctions improve. After a session, you may feel some mild discomfort or muscle soreness for a few days until your body readjusts and heals itself.

Can massage help reduce stress levels?
According to medical studies anything that can help you relax will reduce your stress levels and massage is one of the most relaxing therapies you can receive. Many turn to massage to manage day to day stress. Massage therapy treats the problem holistically. Without using suppression chemicals to slow you down, massage therapists attempt to treat the whole person and try to help your body regain homeostasis, achieving a balance between the various systems of your body to allow natural healing to occur.

Is it safe to receive massage during pregnancy?
Not only is it safe, it is also very beneficial and comforting. Massage therapy can be received throughout the entire nine month pregnancy term. If you are experiencing complications during pregnancy, discuss your condition with your doctor or midwife first. It is not recommended that you use or allow anyone to apply any pure essential oils (aromatherapy oils) on you in the first three months of your pregnancy. If oils are used, they should be mild ones like Lavender oil.

Do massage therapists have a Code of Ethics?
Yes, massage therapists adhere to the following code:
-We provide the best quality care to any one that seeks our professional help.
-We accept all clients without discrimination.
-We acknowledge the confidential nature of the professional relationship with a client and respect each client’s right to privacy.
-We practice only the modalities in which we have been professionally trained and certified.
-We in no way participate or engage in any type of sexual activities with our client.
-We maintain a safe, clean and professional environment.

Are there different techniques in massage?
Yes, there are many different types of massage techniques. Swedish massage is the technique most widely known by massage therapists, but others are also trained in sports massage, aromatherapy massage, shiatsu, deep tissue massage, Thai massage or techniques named for their developer such as Upledger, Heller Work and Feldenkrais.

How much of my body will be massaged?
When the client is seeking treatment for a specific injury or condition, the entire session may focus on a single area. There may also be a need to treat body areas that are adversely affected by injuries, such as when a sprained ankle causes the opposite leg to bear all the body’s weight and stress of walking. For relaxation massages, the client and therapist should discuss and agree upon the areas to be massaged. A “full body massage” usually includes the back, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, legs, feet, face, chest (above breasts for women), abdomen and hips. If being massaged in certain areas causes you to feel uncomfortable, you should inform your therapist and they will adjust the massage accordingly. You should never accept a touch that feels wrong in any way or feel pressured to offer an explanation for such sensitivity.

Can I bring someone along?
Contact your therapist in advance to determine if it is fully acceptable to bring someone else with you. The person may be in the room during your treatment or may wait outside the room. In order to assure that you receive the full benefit and relaxation from your treatment, the person present must remain quiet and unobtrusive during your treatment. Children are usually not permitted as guests.

What studies have been done on massage therapy?
Massage has been studied for its use with premature infants, adults who have recently experienced a heart attack or stroke, athletes who desire to increase their athletic performance and shorten recuperation time, victims of sexual abuse, grieving patients and those who have lost limbs or experience unusual pains. Currently, the effects of massage are being studied for its use in family relations and in dealing with the separation felt when children become teenagers.

About Ursa Massage

Ursa Massage seeks to enhance your wellness and offers a positive healing environment emphasizing both the mind and body. Each client is treated as an individual and close attention is paid to your personal needs.

I believe that the environmental factors in our daily lives affect the way our bodies respond and adapt, manifesting stress that can compound our physical aches and pains. We ask a lot from our bodies, bombarding them with physical challenges and then adding the stressful conditions of modern life.

Massage is effective at reducing pain, relieving muscle tension and soreness, improving breathing, enhancing circulation and lowering blood pressure. Bodywork also provides extraordinary benefits to overall wellness by reducing stress, assisting relaxation, boosting the immune system and providing a sense of well-being. As an experienced student of energy work, I am interested in using it in conjunction with massage to treat the client on a holistic level. All services are professional and non-sexual and follow the code of ethics of the American Massage Therapy Association.

About the Therapist

Joshua Bart graduated from Potomac Massage Training Institute and is a Professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association. Josh is certified by NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork) and holds licenses from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. He specializes in Swedish and Deep Tissue massage for relaxation, enhanced sports performance, and rehabilitation from injury. He is a certified Hot Stone practitioner and also holds certificates in Usui Reiki II and Sekhem-Seichim Reiki II.

Testimonials

After three lower back surgeries and months of physical therapy, I continued to have pelvic instability and muscle pain in both thighs limiting my ability to walk even short distances without substantial discomfort. In addition, I had compensatory muscle spasm of the muscles on both sides of my spine and chronic stiff necks.

I have had the privilege of having weekly massages for more than six months performed by Joshua Bart. He has been a competent, empathetic, caring, careful, diligent and effective therapist. He begins each session with a history of what the status of my back is and my current concerns are, and specifically what has transpired since our last visit. During this time I have had significant relief of the muscle spasm and the sympathetic tension of the paraspinal muscles and neck. His efforts have complemented my twice weekly physical therapy. I can say without reservation that in addition to the immediate relief of the muscle spasm, the release of this spasm has permitted the physical therapy to strengthen my back and pelvic muscles. While I continue to get physical therapy attention, the massage therapy has been an important adjunct to my recovery process and overall well being.

Dr. Ken, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.H.P.M.

For years I’ve had problems with migraines on a monthly basis. I’ve tried a number of things including posture adjustment (that is hard though), chiropractic adjustments, and prescription medication for an active migraine. Correcting your posture is not as easy as it sounds, the muscles have been in the wrong posture for years and are almost locked that way.
The chiropractor could provide relief from an active migraine, but I was still getting them monthly. As far as prescription medication, again, it would only provide relief from an active migraine.

Once I started working with Josh, I noticed a difference. First we started with things like releasing tension in my shoulders, legs and in my hips (at the time my son was only about 18 months and wanted to be carried everywhere). Once those areas were back to normal, we were able to concentrate on my neck muscles and dedicated almost an entire session to working on my neck.
After that, I have been able to correct my posture for the first time in years and I haven’t had a migraine in well over 3 months. Since I get the migraines on a very predictable schedule, I usually know when to expect them.
For 3 months now I’ve been expecting one - even thought I could feel it starting, but have not had a full migraine. Maybe a minor headache, but usually not even that.

Beth T., Senior Software Engineer

The best word to describe me in early 2005 was PAIN!! I could not remember what it felt like to wake up and move throughout the day without pain. I had tendinitis in my left shoulder which caused pain all the way down my arm to my hand. My right shoulder was still tight after recovering from shoulder surgery. I had chronic pain in my neck and lower back. After trying various medications for the pain, my doctor began suggesting cortisone injections (The thought of which I did not want to entertain!).
My limitations seemed to be increasing until the day that my trainer recommended Josh to me. After a few months, I started to notice that my neck and back didn’t hurt when I got up in the morning. Eventually, the pain in my left shoulder disappeared and my range of motion continued to improve in my right shoulder. I thank Josh all of the time because he has helped me turn my life around. I have a better understanding of and am more in tune with my body. I consider Josh to be an integral part of my wellness team.

Lenyta K., Elementary School Teacher

I’ve been at a desk programming for the last 6 years and have noticed that my body, my hips especially, have gotten rather tight. I’ve also been experiencing mild low back pain and tightness for several years. Since Beginning my sessions with Josh I’ve noticed a lot of improvement in my hip pain and over all well-being. I now attend regularly every other week and feel so much better both mentally and physically. I look forward to my sessions so much that if I could attend every week I would, no questions asked.

Josh is very knowledgeable and professional and has a strong work ethic. He has a good understanding of your requests and is able to apply and suggest as necessary. He not only helps to heal your body physically, but is also able to recommend exercises, streches and lifestyle techniques to help keep you healthy in your day to day routines. I’ve been looking for an opportunity to have massages on a regular basis. I’m glad I found Josh.

Gary R., Senior Internet Applications Developer

I’ve had back issues for a long time. Josh’s deep tissue massage is the key to my flexibility and pain management. Every time I have a massage with Josh, after my massage I feel such incredible peace. The peace starts within my body and truly affects my mind, emotions and spirit.
Thank you for a fabulous massage! You’re the first therapist that I haven’t had to “direct” what to do for me. Your intuitive approach works every muscle in my body and makes me feel great through out the week.

Sari J., Senior Software Engineer

I bought my wife a gift certificate for a one-hour massage from Ursa Massage this past holiday season, and the first thing she said when she got home was “Steve, that’s the first time I’ve ever gotten a good massage in my life.” Since then, I’ve visited Josh at Ursa Massage several times, and each time has been a treat.

The strangest things happen - not only do my muscles feel better, but I feel better. I leave feeling more rooted in myself, more clear about what it is that I’m doing, and what it is that I have to do. It’s almost as if Josh’s massages were more than just physical therapy, but mental and emotional therapy as well. I can’t recommend him highly enough, although I often try! Josh is a rare gem - a truly gifted massage therapist.

Steve G., Website Developer

During massage sessions with Josh, I am always amazed at the interconnection between the mind and the body. In addition to relaxing my muscles and pulling away the physical tension of motherhood, he always helps my body show me where I am hiding my emotional stress, so that I can release it. That takes a real gift.

Keely O., Mom

Joshua is unbelievable! I have back and neck problems so I have been to a fair amount of other massage therapists and I can honestly and fairly say that he is like no other. He has a special ability to connect to his clients beyond just a physical level so I always leave feeling relaxed, re-energized, and pain-free. His techniques and method are superior and you can only understand how truly amazing he is as a massage therapist and as a person by experiencing it for yourself!

Debby G., Business Owner

Well Josh it looks like we’ve used up my first group of massages. I can’t tell you enough how pleased I am. Of course, because I purchased a group of massages at one time, the price was wonderful, and with the new pricing structure you’ve only improved the value. As an accountant , I tell all my clients that the cost of something isn’t important if you buy something that just doesn’t work. I can say from a good deal of experience with you now that your massage works. I know that, after a session, I will feel more relaxed, more energized, and more ready to face the stresses of this, my busiest year. I also know that you will take the time to find out from me exactly where I need the most work and will work with me to get the most and best results. Some massage therapists that I’ve been to are not so interactive and responsive.
You would think that an accountant would not want to take time during tax season to spend an hour or so getting a massage. I can tell you that I get more done in less time when my body is not sore and my mind is clear. In fact, I can spend more hours in front of the computer after get rid of those aches and pains that I get from sitting in one position all day long. I thank you and my clients thank you.
By the way, I love the new space. It’s warm and open and allows you to move around freely. I’ve often wondered massage therapists can work in such little rooms and you solved that problem. I hope that you received my check for my next sessions. I’m sure I’ll be seeing quite a bit of you between now and April 15.

Bradley A. Ralph, CPA

 

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Informative Articles

The Benefits of Regular Massage

“Scientists are now finding that massage can reduce blood pressure, boost the immune system, dampen harmful stress hormones and raise mood-elevating brain chemicals such as serotonin. And you can’t beat massage for relaxation.”

Massage - The Timeless Miracle

The typical initiation to massage is motivated by a stressful or painful condition. But massage’s magical ministrations go deeper and offer you far more than you may have ever suspected. Regular massage can greatly benefit your overall health and well-being.

Make the most of every massage!

Massage can be a powerful tool to help your body best perform its countless functions in its goal to maintain a healthy balance. Why not do everything you can to get the best possible results from every massage session? This article is devoted to providing you with some hints to make the most from your bodywork sessions.

Massage: It’s real medicine

An article on massage from Health magazing

Services

I gladly offer all the following services either in my Silver Spring studio or in your home. Prices shown are for Silver Spring location. A travel charge of $25 will apply for services provided at your location.

Seated Massage

A great way to de-stress in a casual environment, Seated Massage makes for a great gift.

20 minutes $25

Gift Certificates Are Available

Swedish Massage

Focuses on the skin and superficial muscles(the ones closest to the surface). I can use it in a number of ways: to warm up your tissue before we try anything deeper, to encourage the effective work of your circulatory system, or simply to help you relax.
60 minutes $80
75 minutes $95

90 minutes $120

Deep Tissue Massage

Focuses on the muscles, tendons and ligaments of your body. Deep tissue techniques help me get in close contact with the superficial muscles and the deeper muscles of your body to help them release tension and tightness they may be holding on to. Some people who have had deep tissue work done think that it has to hurt. It does not have to be this way. You and I will work together to be as effective as we can while keeping your discomfort as low as possible.
60 minutes $80
75 minutes $95
90 minutes $120

Hot Stone Massage (Silver Spring Studio Only)

Hot stone Massage is a combination of massage therapy, energy work, aromatherapy and thermotherapy which creates a deeply relaxing experience. Nerves carry impulses from the skin deeper into the body where they are instrumental in stimulating the immune system, influencing the production of stress hormones, invigorating the circulation and digestion, encouraging blood flow, lessening pain sensitivity, as well as sedating the nervous system and inducing relaxation. It is the use of heated stones to relax and rejuvenate the person on the table.
75 minutes $120
90 minutes $140

Usui Reiki

The word Reiki is composed of two Japanese characters. The first, REI, means spirit, guided, conscious, or universe; the second, KI, means life force. When you put them together you have a conscious energy that may be used to heal. The system is called the Usui System of Natural Healing, after it was rediscovered in Japan by Mikao Usui in the early 20th century and later brought to the West.

A Reiki session usually takes between one and two hours. Reiki is not massage, nor is it based on belief or suggestion. The session is performed by a Certified Reiki Practitioner or Certified Reiki Master/Teacher (CRP or CRMT) using specific hand positions or energy scanning either lightly touching the body or just above it. During the Reiki session, the client is fully clothed while comfortably reclining on a massage table or seated in a chair. Reiki is a very relaxing experience and has many benefits including: stress reduction, pain reduction, emotional release, and helping your body heal itself.
60 minutes $75

Sekhem-Seichim Reiki (SSR)

This Healing System is a combination of Usui Reiki and energies derived from a transcendental experience that its founder, Patrick Zeigler, had in the Great Pyramid in Egypt in 1979. The system opens the Heart Center and can cause deep emotional releases from the current or past lifetimes.
A standard treatment includes placing the hands on various areas of the body, such as the head, shoulders, stomach, knees and feet. People’s experiences vary during a Reiki session; however, most people feel the energy as heat. They may feel tingling, vibrating or waves of energy from the hands of the practitioner.
As the Reiki energy begins to release blocks caused by tension, anxiety, fear, or other negative thoughts and feelings, some people drift off to sleep or enter into a light dreamlike state. Some see colors, report spiritual experiences and mystical visions.
At the end of the treatment, one feels relaxed and refreshed with a positive, more balanced outlook.
Reiki is excellent for assisting in the healing of any physical, mental, emotional and spiritual issues of any kind and it gives wonderful results.
60 minutes $75

About Ursa Massage

Ursa Massage seeks to enhance your wellness and offers a positive healing environment emphasizing both the mind and body. Each client is treated as an individual and close attention is paid to your personal needs.

I believe that the environmental factors in our daily lives affect the way our bodies respond and adapt, manifesting stress that can compound our physical aches and pains. We ask a lot from our bodies, bombarding them with physical challenges and then adding the stressful conditions of modern life.

Massage is effective at reducing pain, relieving muscle tension and soreness, improving breathing, enhancing circulation and lowering blood pressure. Bodywork also provides extraordinary benefits to overall wellness by reducing stress, assisting relaxation, boosting the immune system and providing a sense of well-being. As an experienced student of energy work, I am interested in using it in conjunction with massage to treat the client on a holistic level. All services are professional and non-sexual and follow the code of ethics of the American Massage Therapy Association.

About the Therapist

Joshua Bart graduated from Potomac Massage Training Institute and is a Professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association. Josh is certified by NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork) and holds licenses from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. He specializes in Swedish and Deep Tissue massage for relaxation, enhanced sports performance, and rehabilitation from injury. He is a certified Hot Stone practitioner and also holds certificates in Usui Reiki II and Sekhem-Seichim Reiki II.

Massage — The Timeless Miracle

The typical initiation to massage is motivated by a stressful or painful condition. But massage’s magical ministrations go deeper and offer you far more than you may have ever suspected. Regular massage can greatly benefit your overall health and well-being. Read on to learn some of the wonderful health aspects available to you through massage.

The more you learn about massage, the more you’ll benefit from each of our sessions. This overview touches on some of the basic massage benefits available to you. Massage:

• Alleviates stress

• Aids digestion

• Improves circulation

• Relieves tight or sore muscles

• Aids detoxification

• Improves range of motion

• And much more…

The most obvious benefit shared by virtually everyone is that a full body massage makes you feel great! The stress-relieving, soothing results are enough for many to include massage as a regular part of their lives. But what of the less obvious benefits?

The first sense to develop is your sense of touch. It’s not surprising when you consider that each square inch of your skin contains roughly 50 nerve endings. With as many as five million total touch receptors in your skin relaying messages on to your brain, your body’s initial response to massage is to relax and de-stimulate. Even a simple touch has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the heart rate. Touch can also signal the brain to produce endorphins, your body’s natural pain suppressors.

Going deeper, massage can restore suppleness and strength to your muscles, improving their overall function. It’s the ideal treatment for releasing tension or muscles in spasm and helps to release toxins such as lactic acid (produced by muscle tissue during exercise), as well.

Proper circulation is vital to continued health. Your blood and lymph carry nourishment to the trillions of cells throughout your body and then carry away the waste to be eliminated from the cells. Massage encourages a better exchange of nutrients at the cellular level and more thorough detoxification. Remember, the future “you” is determined by how well your army of cells regenerate themselves, so this is indeed a critical part of remaining healthy.

The nervous system is your communication network, sending messages constantly that determine proper functioning throughout your body. Stress can affect the ability of the nervous system to do its job. The many nerve endings found in the skin and muscles are soothed by massage, and this contributes to keeping your internal lines of communication open and operational.

Massage also aids in maintaining flexibility in your joints, such as the knee, hip, spine, shoulder, and neck. These joints are thoroughfares for nerves, veins and arteries, so their freedom of movement allow energy and blood to flow unimpeded.

So, you can see massage does quite a bit more than just relax you and work out the kinks in a sore back. Since massage has been practiced for thousands of years and is one of the earliest known health treatments known to man, why don’t you hear more about it in today’s society?

In fact, massage today is rapidly growing in popularity and reputation. Besides being misunderstood, massage has had to overcome the reluctance many people have regarding physical contact. Of course, once they experience a therapeutic massage for themselves, most people are hooked.

A 1997 Life magazine article explored some of the research underway regarding the benefits of massage. Undertaken by the Touch Research Institute in Miami, ongoing studies are showing amazing results, as the following quotes indicate:

“…More than 50 TRI studies have shown massage to have positive effects on conditions from colic to hyperactivity to diabetes to migraines — in fact, on every malady TRI has studied thus far. Massage, it seems, helps asthmatics breathe easier, boosts immune function in HIV-positive patients, improves autistic children’s ability to concentrate, lowers anxiety in depressed adolescents…

“…Massage can increase the lymph flow rate. It enhances immune function and lowers levels of (two) stress hormones…

“…Field (the director of TRI) worries that Americans aren’t getting enough touch…At the TRI preschool, teachers encourage ‘positive touch.’ They dole out unlimited hugs, backrubs and shoulder pats…Most of the 40 children, from six months to five years in age, get a daily 15-minute rubdown, which leaves them according to TRI research, more alert, more responsive, able to sleep more deeply…”

As you can see, massage offers more benefits than you may have imagined. Isn’t it good to know that something that feels so great can contribute to your long-term health as well? Let’s work together to help you get the most from your massages — see you at your next appointment!

The Benefits of Regular Massage

Once people discover the many joys and benefits of massage, a common question arises — “How often should I schedule my massage sessions?” Of course, there is no set answer, but studies indicate that massage at regular intervals is most beneficial to your overall health.

In a Newsweek article entitled “The Magic of Touch,” the advantages of frequent massage are considered. The following excerpts help to answer the question, “How often?”

“A weekly massage may seem an indulgence, but new research suggests it can have major health benefits….

“Since instituting a program of massage, job-specific exercises and ergonomics in 1990, the Virginia-based company [Wampler Foods] has cut repetitive-stress injuries by 75 percent….

“From assembly lines to corporate headquarters, Americans are discovering the magic of massage. At Boeing and Reebok, headaches, back strain and fatigue have all fallen since the companies started bringing in massage therapists . . . Doctors have started prescribing massage to help patients manage stress and pain. And a few HMOs have begun sharing in the cost. ‘Massage is medicine, not merely an indulgence,’ says Laura Favin of Not Just a Luxury Onsite Massage in New York….

“Scientists are now finding that massage can reduce blood pressure, boost the immune system, dampen harmful stress hormones and raise mood-elevating brain chemicals such as serotonin. And you can’t beat massage for relaxation. Babies fall asleep faster when massaged than when rocked — and they stay asleep, rather than waking the moment Mom tiptoes away. All these factors, says Tiffany Field, founder of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami’s School of Medicine, ‘put massage in the same category with proper diet and exercise as something that helps maintain overall health.’ …

“The effects aren’t always so straightforward. Massage can also stimulate nerves that carry signals from the skin to the brain, triggering changes throughout the body…. Field showed that massage (as opposed to light touch) stimulates the brain’s vagus nerve, causing the secretion of food-absorption hormones, including insulin. Nerve stimulation probably explains other benefits as well…. Dr. James Dillard of Columbia University [says], ‘Every nerve cell in the body has some connection to every other nerve cell.’ …

“Like exercise, massage does more for you if you engage in it regularly… even a monthly treatment can help maintain general health. ‘Touch is basic to survival,’ says Elliot Greene, past president of AMTA [American Massage Therapy Assn.]. That’s all the excuse anyone should need to indulge.”

Remember, your body strives to maintain optimum health by keeping all of its systems in balance. Along with proper nutrition, exercise and rest, massage relaxes tense muscles and stimulates the body’s communication lines to help it do its job — and to keep you feeling your best. So, make regular massage a priority in your life for a healthier tomorrow!