Welcome to
Dragonfly
Manual Therapies
& Massage
Through a caring and educated touch,
avenues of healing can be accessed in our bodies.
Allow your body, mind and soul to sense a haven of tranquility
Each moment is sacred, an opportunity for us to; reflect, refine, collaborate, create, or to simply be.
Joel Smith
LMT, CLT
Joel Smith has been practicing massage and a variety of manual therapies for over 15 years.
He’s spent years as both an assistant instructor of Acupressure at Utah College of Massage Therapy, and instructing/developing curricula at Healing Mountain Massage School in Salt Lake City. He has also been a teaching assistant for manual therapy disciplines through higher education institutions; Visceral Manipulation with the Barral Institue and Craniosacral Therapy with the Upledger Institute.
Joel’s intentions are to help you feel more at home in your body. Using approaches that support the body in relaxing and adapting to stresses and trauma, Joel assists in identifying and facilitating treatment to the cause and results of acute and chronic dysfunctionpain, stemming from a variety of traumas or conditions. Your comfort and respect are the utmost priority during your session.
You’re welcome to arrive and simply relax for your therapeutic treatment, receiving a greater sense of well-being, or you can delve into dialogue on the human body, a subject of focus, or on what’s revealed during your session. It’s okay to talk, or be in silence. Please arrive as you are.
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.
Lymphatic Drainage
Therapy
(developed by Chikly DO, MD)
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.
Hendrickson Method
(developed by Hendrickson DC)
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.
Visceral Vascular Manipulation
(developed by Barral DO and Croibier DO)
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.
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.
Complete Decongestive Therapy
Certified Lymphedema Therapist
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.
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.
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.
Monday Closed
Tuesday 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Wednesday 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Thursday 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Friday By appointment only
Saturday By appointment only
Sunday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
*Hours are subject to change
*Appointments will receive confirmation
Deep thanks, for your generosity & support.
Donations & Gratuity
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Want to make booking or have a question?
Reach Joel at 619-244-7751
or simply schedule a session