Zubio is a riff on the Japanese term tsubo, which means acupressure point.

The Zubio Massage Katas are the current iteration of a process that began in 1982 when our co-founder, David Palmer, began developing short massage sequences for seated customers. That process continues today and includes input from Jim Cleaver, David's primary mentor in Chinese Medicine theory; Haruyoshi Ito, his mentor in Japanese culture as it relates to health and healing; dozens of chair massage trainers who have taught this approach; and thousands of practitioners who actually deliver the service.

The shoulders David and this process stand upon include Takashi Nakamura, who taught David a style of traditional Japanese massage that came from the Kensai School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Massage in Osaka, Japan; the 1,400-year history of traditional Japanese massage of which that school is a part; and the 5,000-year tradition of Chinese Medicine which provided the theoretical foundations for Japanese massage.

The term "Kata" is a Japanese word that literally means "form" or "pattern." Outside of Japan the term is most commonly used in reference to highly choreographed sequences of movement practiced by martial arts practitioners. However, in Japan Kata also commonly refers to the ritualized patterns taught in the arts, such as Kabuki Theater, the tea ceremony, flower arranging, or brush painting. On an even deeper, cultural level, Kata means the correct or most appropriate action in any given situation and extends to manners (how deep of a bow to make to the other person in greeting), trade skill (how to prepare a batch of sushi rice) and customs (how to bury the dead).

Refined over the past 25 years, the Zubio Katas are designed to have the greatest positive effect in the shortest amount of time on the widest range of customers. They serve as the safe and sturdy scaffolding for a relationship between two people that is based on touch, not talk.

Because Zubio takes a systemic approach to massage services, our Katas are carefully designed down to the minute to provide the greatest overall benefit within the time frame. Our primary functional goal during a massage is to improve the free flow of your various circulatory systems so that the body can heal itself. This also happens to be a very safe approach to delivering massage services because we never tread into the realm of "therapy" or treatment. We are very clear about our limits.

If you have a specific musculo-skeletal issue that requires particular attention, we will be happy to refer you to an appropriate bodywork specialist who will be able to take the time to assess your problem and recommend an appropriate treatment.

If time and money were not considerations, how often would you like to feel Zubio Good? That's how often you should get a massage. Now factor in time and money and you have your answer.

Tipping is greatly appreciated. Most people add 15-20% to the invoice at checkout.

Some of the acupressure points we work on could cause uterine contractions and we are not willing to take the risk.

No, our services are based on Japanese acupressure, which works through the clothes without oils or lotions.

Even if you fall asleep during the massage, don't worry. Zubio Massage has all the benefits, and more, of a good "Power Nap." Just take a couple of deep breaths and in a few moments you will start to feel revived and reenergized. In rare cases, a customer may feel groggy for an extended period of time. Generally that is a sign of chronic sleep deprivation and an undisturbed night of rest typically resolves this issue.

All vinyl surfaces of the chair and the hands of the Specialist are sanitized with hospital-grade wipes before each massage and a fresh face cradle cover installed.

If you are having a massage that includes the feet, our specialists remove the shoes, give the feet a quick deodorizing spray, and cover the stocking feet with a disposable booty.