Joel Smith, LMT, CLT

Independent Contractor

Joel provides multiple types of massage and manual therapies to promote healing and wellness. He has been practicing for nearly 15 years.  He has experience developing curricula and instructing anatomy and a variety of therapies. Joel’s training has been through the institutes founded by the doctors who developed these modalities: Barral Institute for Visceral, Neural, and Vascular Manipulation therapies; Upledger Institute for Craniosacral therapy; Chikly Institute for Lymphatic drainage therapy; Academy of Lymphatic Studies for his Certification as a Lymphedema Therapist specializing in Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Complete Decongestive Therapy; Hendrickson Method Institute for orthopedic massage and manual therapy; and is certified in Rolf’s method of Structural Integration. In some of these modalities, he is trained in advanced curriculum and has participated as a teaching assistant. Joel has also received advanced anatomy training doing dissections at an osteopathic college.

Joel has had an interest in the body’s ability to heal since his youth and finds fulfillment in helping peoples’ intrinsic healing processes take place through gentle and informed touch. He holds a space of belief that through understanding, anyone can heal.  Joel spends time developing an understanding of your specific needs, using that knowledge to support your body, health, and wellness.

Joel specializes in the following modalities:

• Visceral Manipulation (developed by Barral DO and Croibier DO)

Visceral Manipulation (VM) is a gentle manual therapy that assesses the structural relationships between the viscera (organs), and their fascial or ligamentous attachments to the various systems of the body.  Its aim is to restore movement of the tissues that surround and suspend our organs, as trauma results in adhesions that bind tissues. VM assists in balancing functional/structural imbalances throughout the body including musculoskeletal, vascular, nervous, urogenital, respiratory, digestive, eliminatory, neuroendocrine, and lymphatic dysfunction.

• Neural Manipulation (developed by Barral DO and Croibier DO)

For optimal function nerves must be able to move freely within their surroundings, this movement is essential for nerve conduction, nerve blood supply, and local and systemic responsiveness.  Neural Manipulation (NM) examines mechanical relationships between the cranium/spine, to the membranous and neural elements. By using gentle techniques we aim to mobilize and rehydrate nerves, strengthening their relationship with associated tissues to support a healing response.

• Visceral Vascular Manipulation (developed by Barral DO and Croibier DO)

Visceral Vascular Manipulation (VVM) helps release restrictions and adhesions of the heart and blood vessels, improving their relationship with the organs and tissues they irrigate.  Enhancing blood flow and re-establishing normal nutrition, detoxification, and oxygenation of the organs and tissues helps the body regain vitality assisting in diminishing dysfunction and pain.

• Craniosacral Therapy (developed by Upledger DO)

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a noninvasive treatment approach using gentle manual palpation techniques to assess restrictions between the cranium and the sacrum, encompassing the structures of the nervous system; skull, cranial sutures, membranes of the brain, and spinal cord. CST uses gentle techniques encouraging intrinsic healing responses to take place within the whole body. This modality may provide relief from a variety of symptoms/conditions. In CST we observe how fascial adhesions may result in abnormal circulation and flow of the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds and supports our nervous system.  The effectiveness of craniosacral treatment on health outcomes has been shown for a number of chronic pain syndromes.

• Manual Lymphatic Drainage/Complete Decongestive Therapy (Vodder, Földi MD)

*Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT)

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a hands-on technique that was developed by Vodders (Dr. Emil and his wife Estrid) in 1936 for the treatment of swollen lymph nodes and lymphatic conditions. MLD is a light, skin-stretching manual technique that helps promote movement of lymph fluid out of stagnated tissues, rerouting lymph through more open lymph collectors/pathways. MLD can assist in recovery from post-traumatic or post-surgical edema, and palliative care. Often MLD is recommended as a component of the treatment plan known as Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) which incorporates other components to further assist individuals experiencing primary or secondary lymphedema. CDT was developed by Dr. Földi who was a lymphology specialist, who was able to have this approach recognized as the golden standard for the treatment of lymphedema in medical society.  CDT is a combination of four methods (manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, lymphedema rehabilitation exercises, and skin care). It can achieve a 45-70% reduction in lymphedema volume.

• Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (developed by Chikly DO, MD)

Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (LDT) is a modality that aims to guide and increase the flow of lymph fluid through the skin, mucosa, muscles, viscera, bones, and cranial membranes.  With a great level of specificity, observing the depth and direction of lymph flow, we assess and aid in draining body fluid stagnations. Results include detoxification, regeneration of tissues, relief of chronic and subacute inflammation, relief of chronic pain, deep relaxation, reducing stress, and facilitating healing responses.

• Structural Integration (developed by Dr. Ida Rolf)

S.I. is a form of bodywork that helps to reorganize connective tissues (fascia), with a focus on enabling the body to regain the natural integrity of its form, reduce chronic holding patterns, enhancing postural efficiency and freedom of movement. Aligning our body with gravity and increasing functional mobility are our goals in S.I.

• Hendrickson Method (developed by Hendrickson DC)

HM is an advanced system of massage and manual therapy that treats chronic and acute pain, through a unique form of soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, and muscle energy techniques. Suitable for most orthopedic conditions, HM helps to optimize functionality in our body to create longer-lasting results of alleviating symptoms.

• Customized Massage/Manual Therapy treatments, and blending techniques, at your request.