Who are you?
My name is Joanna. I was born and raised in Northern Virginia. I spend my time trying to keep up with my adventurous daughter Michelle. We have two cats (Robin and Lily, any HIMYM fans?) and a bearded dragon named Oliver. I like DIY/Craft projects, walking and bicycling. I worked in retail, car sales and even ballroom dance instruction before finding my niche in massage.

Why did you become a massage therapist?
I have always been fascinated by Anatomy/Physiology and Biology. I was first introduced to Sports massage and therapy when I would attend family member games for the Arlington Men's Soccer League. Every team had their own massage therapist, movement coach and/or physical therapist. I saw massage as a great way to start my career and found that I love therapeutic bodywork.

Where & When did you go to school?
I graduated October 2014 from National Massage Therapy Institute in Falls Church Virginia.

What modalities do you specialize in?
I specialize in Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular Therapy, Trigger Point, Myofascial Release, TMJ, Cupping, Gua-sha (Graston and scar tissue work), Sports massage, KT taping , Swedish and Prenatal massage.

List any dysfunctions and acute/chronic conditions you have treated or particularly specialize in:
I have treated sciatica, scoliosis (including post corrective surgery), frozen shoulder, a wide array of elbow, shoulder and other joint injuries from sports, carpal tunnel, arthritis, Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, scar tissue work after an injury and surgery including elective procedures, migraines, TMJ, whiplash and other acute injuries from sports, falls, accidents etc.

Why is massage important to you?
Massage is especially important to me because I help clients who come in with pain, stress, discomfort that can be physically, emotionally, and spiritually draining and hindering. This affects a person’s daily life, routine, and performance. I use my experience and knowledge of different pathologies to help clients get relief from pain and restrictions so they can get back to their normal and perform to their best ability.

How would you describe your style of massage:
In a few words: intuitive, analytical, adaptive and sanative.
I approach massage taking tools from Holistic and Western Medicine, spiritual and scientific. I adjust the pressure from the feedback I get from the tissue and the client. The first few minutes of the session I palpate the areas of concern and try to find what the root cause is. Then I try to see what modality gets the best results. This is different for everybody and can even vary as much as the area I am working on (such as someone's back or their hamstrings). Acute injuries, recent surgery, and flare-ups ( from Lyme, Gout, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis) all present with inflammation, tissue sensitivity, and/or scar tissue and that requires a different approach. A person’s mood, stress, daily activities, posture, and even food can affect the tissue. This is why a good verbal intake and gait assessment before every session is essential to an individualized and successful treatment plan.

What keeps you motivated?
The challenge keeps me motivated. All bodies are unique and their respective treatment should be as well. This forces me to think on my feet and adapt accordingly. Every day is a new opportunity to learn new techniques and that’s what's exciting about being a massage therapist. My ultimate drive or desire is to help my clients achieve their wellness goals, using my knowledge and tools I have at hand.