Arbus
San Francisco, CA
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Rates
Sessions start at $150 for 60 minutes in the studio, with 90-minute appointments at $190 and 120-minute sessions at $320. These rates fall below the San Francisco average of $154 for an hour.
| Duration | At studio | At your location |
|---|---|---|
| 60 min Popular | $150 | Ask |
| 90 min | $190 | Ask |
| 120 min | $320 | Ask |
- Longer sessions available.
Accepted Payments
About
In 2018, I completed a 600-hour massage therapy program at the San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork. That formal training gave me the foundation, but the real education has come from thirteen years of hands-on work since 2013, first at spa hotels around the city and now in my own private studio. Every client who's walked through that door has taught me something about how bodies hold tension, how pressure and intuition work together, and what it takes to help someone actually feel better.
I've learned to be flexible. Some days a client needs deep, focused work on a tight shoulder. Other days it's acupressure, or lymphatic drainage, or a blend of techniques that shifts as I feel what your body is asking for. I read your muscles, check in on pressure, and adjust so you get exactly what you need—not what I assume you need.
My studio is in a central, convenient location just one block from the Van Ness station. The space is warm and welcoming. You'll find a heated massage table, hot towels to ease into the session, candles, soft music, and all the care that comes from someone who genuinely wants to release your tension and chronic pain. Parking is available nearby. I work 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, and I'm also available for mobile sessions serving San Francisco and surrounding areas.
I don't accept phone calls—too much spam these days—but you can message me, book online, or email if you're visiting from outside the United States. After all the busy days you've had, you deserve this time. I look forward to taking care of you.
Techniques
Testimonials
Arbus is a wonderful balance of strength and kindness. I've been going to him for years and always leave completely relaxed and blissed out. He's a lovely, caring person with exceptional massage skills.
Arbus has a rare gift for understanding movement and body mechanics. As an active senior working through an endurance swimming routine, I've felt noticeable improvement in my neck, shoulders, and hips. After each session, I leave feeling refreshed and energized. His caliber of work rivals—and often surpasses—what I've experienced at resort spas during travels.
I've been seeing Arbus for several years, and his massage is the best I've tried. The studio is warm, inviting, and meticulously clean, with soft floor lighting guiding you in. The oversized heated table has fresh sheets and towels. He opens and closes each session with hot, moist towels followed by dry heated ones, and his hands never leave your body once he begins. He checks in constantly about pressure, and the calm music completes the experience. His ability to sense what your body needs and deliver exactly that is extraordinary.
Over five years of seeing Arbus every two weeks or monthly, he remains the best massage therapist in the Bay Area. He listens to your body and works out tightness with a mix of strong and gentle touch, all set to wonderful music. The benefits I get from each session are profound, though no words can truly capture them. He's a master.
Hemasseur's Take
Clients consistently highlight Arbus's intuitive ability to sense what their bodies need and deliver precise, effective work—whether that's strong pressure for tight shoulders and hips or a gentler touch for overall relaxation. Multiple long-term clients report returning weekly or monthly for years, citing specific improvements in neck, shoulder, and hip tension, as well as the calming, welcoming atmosphere of his studio with its heated table, hot towels, and soft lighting.
What sets Arbus apart across reviews is his responsiveness during sessions—he checks in on pressure, adjusts techniques in real time, and keeps his hands engaged with your body throughout, creating a sense of attentiveness and care that clients compare favorably to high-end resort spas.
Education
Feb. - Aug. 2018
600-Hour Massage Therapist Program
SFSM, San Francisco, CA
Location
Market st. & Polk St, San Francisco
Hours
9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. every day
Details
In-Studio Amenities
Additional Services
FAQ
How much does massage cost in San Francisco at Arbus's studio?
A 60-minute session is $150, 90 minutes is $190, and 120 minutes is $320. You can book online or message to reserve your spot.
Does Arbus offer mobile massage in San Francisco?
Yes, Arbus provides mobile massage therapy serving San Francisco and surrounding areas, in addition to in-studio appointments at a convenient Van Ness location.
What massage techniques does Arbus use?
Arbus blends a range of techniques including deep tissue, acupressure, trigger point, myofascial release, sports massage, Swedish, lymphatic drainage, prenatal and postnatal, neuromuscular, aromatherapy, and reflexology, tailored to what your body needs.
Is there same-day availability for massage in San Francisco?
Arbus is available 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day and welcomes bookings based on availability. Message or book online to check for same-day openings.
What should I expect during my first massage with Arbus?
Your session begins with warm, moist hot towels, then moves into bodywork on a heated massage table with clean linens. The pressure and techniques are adjusted during the session, and you'll finish with dry heated towels.
Does Arbus offer aromatherapy massage in San Francisco?
Yes, aromatherapy is available to enhance your massage experience, along with amenities like candles, soft music, and a calm, inviting studio environment.
What payment methods does Arbus accept?
Arbus accepts cash, Venmo, and Zelle. Message or book online for details.
From the Hemasseur Team
Arbus is a massage therapist in San Francisco, California with 13 years of clinical experience dating back to 2013. He completed his 600-hour massage therapy program at the San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork in 2018, building on years of work at local spa hotels and studios throughout the city. Arbus offers both in-studio appointments at a Van Ness-area location and mobile massage therapy serving San Francisco and surrounding areas. His practice spans a wide range of techniques, from deep tissue and trigger point work to acupressure, myofascial release, lymphatic drainage, sports massage, and reflexology. He's known for reading a client's body intuitively, adjusting pressure and method in real time, and focusing on releasing chronic tension and pain. Clients consistently describe his work as skilled and intuitive, making him a strong fit for active individuals, athletes, and anyone seeking sustained relief from tight shoulders, hips, or neck.
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