Mission Statement:

I will endeavor to create a comfortable and professional working relationship with each client. I will provide for their immediate therapeutic needs and my goal is to provide a relaxing, peaceful and healthy environment where everyone from athletes to tourists can escape from the stresses of everyday life and emerge refreshed, rejuvenated and transformed - on the inside as well as the outside.

Aloha! Please let me introduce myself to you. My name is Jesse Harshbarger. I have always been a very active martial artist and weight-training enthusiast and from time to time I would get cramped muscles, strained joints or just common aches and pains from over training. I finally decided to try massage to ease my aches and pains. To my surprise, I was more than comforted, I was actually healed! I was so impressed with it that I decided to pursue a career in therapeutic massage. At the time, I had been a computer programmer with a strong desire for something else. Because of the many hours, working seven days a week at my computer programming job, I started attending Saturday classes at the Virginia Learning Institute in Falls Church, Virginia. April of 2002, I converted to a full time student, graduated July 22, 2002 at the top of my class, prepared for and passed the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Exam and then applied to be licensed in the state of Virginia by the Virginia Board of Nursing and finally licensed in Fairfax County. I am also a current professional member of the AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association). I also feel that it is important to maintain proper credentials and solid references. I may serve clients in my office, their home or mine. I also work as a nutritional counselor, personal strength and fitness trainer. Therefore, the majority of my clients are physically active or sports people and martial artists using massage for injury recovery or prevention and as a tone-up before and after sports events. I receive most of my clients through referral from other clients or associates. Therefore, I pick up business that way, and in turn, this inter-referral ensures that clients get the full benefit of caring professionalism.

Shortly after working as a full time professional massage therapist, I realized that I needed additional training to help many of my clients who were complaining of similar ailments relating to chronic pain or over use syndrome. I performed thorough research using the internet, library and even advice from other professionals to include chiropractors, doctors, personal trainers, and of course, massage therapists. A preponderance of feedback that I received was that everybody needs deep healing work that incorporates simple techniques which create a real and lasting effect. The solution was clear. What I needed to add to my profession was Myofascial Release Massage.

Myofascial Release Therapy is an extremely effective hands-on technique that works by applying firm, sustained pressure to eliminate pain and restore flexibility and motion to the body's fascia (connective tissue). The science behind Myofascial Release states that fascia is a densely woven sheath that interpenetrates and "houses" every muscle, bone, vein, nerve and all of our internal organs including the spinal cord. A good visualization is shrink wrap. Shrink wrap in effect holds everything together in a neat package. Fascial tissue connects every part of the body to every other part of the body. Myofascial therapy is intuitive; it is effortless and applicable for all clients and it addresses all levels of the human structure: physical, emotional and mental. So, I quickly signed up for a local course of instruction taught by the founder himself, Howard Rontal.

I have since integrated Myofascial Release Massage techniques into every routine. As no one is without fault, no body is without injury. Even during the most relaxing Swedish massage session, when I find a bound trigger point or area of tension, I easily release the tension using Myofascial Release and smoothly return to my routine without missing a heartbeat.

It has taken me a long time to find out what I want to do in life and I really love this work. It is rewarding to know that I have contributed to releasing someone's pain and contributed to their health. When a person then comes back, and when they refer people to me, I know that I have produced a quality experience. I always invite feedback during every massage session, because each client is different and each has a different pain tolerance and preference. I have also developed intuitive skills which are tuned into the clients breathing, heart rate and muscles starting to tighten up. Therefore, I can adjust my technique accordingly to ensure maximum benefit and satisfaction of my client. My hope is that this introduction letter has informed you as to my purpose of massage and to let you know that everyone can benefit from experiencing regular therapeutic touch. I highly recommend therapeutic massage for continued health and pain free living.

2002 National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, Virginia License & Professional Member AMTA -- All Rights Reserved