Joel Safran B.Sc, LMBT

Joel Safran Quick Facts

Main Areas: Treatment of complex Chronic Conditions
Career Focus: Soft Tissue Therapy
Affiliation: AMTA, NCBMTB

Soft Tissue Therapy...

This broad topic deals with conditions and functions related to everything other than bone.  This includes the body's ability to function as physically and physiologically optimal as possible.  Soft Tissue Therapies positively affect tissues that provide movement of body parts, transmission of fluids, neurological impulses, structural integrity, functions of organs and glands... and probably much more.  It also enhances mental abilities and emotional wellbeing.  It includes a vast majority of conditions for which people seek professional help.

 

Licensure in the State of Florida...

When Joel Safran began the study of Soft Tissue Therapy 25 years ago in Tampa, Florida, he was focused on becoming proficient in techniques he considered "Corrective Therapies"... for the treatment of "Chronic Conditions".  He was licensed as a Massage Therapist after completing the required 550 hours of education.  However after that, his continuing education and practical experience in working with complex conditions greatly enhanced his ability to provide patients with what they had been searching for.

 

Registration in the Province of Ontario...

When he moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada 15 years ago, he satisfied the Provincial standards for Registration as a Massage Therapist in Ontario.  That included 2200 hours of education, passing a practical examination and passing a very difficult written exam.  The variety of complex Chronic Conditions presented by patients caused him to further develop his skills.  It was common for patients to tell him that "No doctor or therapist of any kind had been able to do for me what you have been able to do for me".

 

Now Licensed in the State of North Carolina...

In 2009, Joel returned to The States... and is living and practicing in Charlotte, NC.  He is licensed as a Massage & Bodywork Therapist.  His practice continues to specialize in the treatment of complex chronic conditions utilizing, but not limited to, these therapies and treatment techniques:

NeuroMuscular Therapy

MyoFascial Release Techniques

CranioSacral Therapies (Structural & Membranous)

Structural Integration

Joint Mobilization

Clinical & Medical Massage Techniques

Muscle Energy Techniques

Visceral Manipulation

Organ Specific Mobilization

Flexibility Conditioning

Nutritional Education

....And More....

 

Treatment Philosophy and Goals...

Chronic Conditions generally have developed over a long period of time... quite often from birth.  The initial evaluation of a patient needs to be thorough, while at the same time realizing that this is just an introduction to what will be found as the treatment begins.  The Therapist needs to be alert to conditions and relationships between various areas of the body.  The Therapist needs to understand these relationships, and to provide treatments that are both appropiate and complete.

 

As the layers within conditions are normalized, the body will indicate that there is a need to alter treatment strategies.  Proper treatment is the process of unraveling the various layers of complexities... and then following where you are being led.  Be alert to what the body is telling you.  When working with the body consider it as a highly integrated whole... which it is.  Be aware of relationships.  Promote balance and harmony in as many ways as possible.  Don't rush.  Let the body tell you what needs to be done.  Listen and follow... the body knows.

 

Prior Experience before becoming a Therapist...

From my teens, my father encouraged me to develop analytical skills.  That pretty much defines how I look at just about anything.  In 1963, I received a B.Sc in Management from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.  However, the practical education acquired after that was much more valuable.  I functioned as a planner and problem solver within large Graphic Arts companies.

 

In my last assignment, before going into business for myself, I was given an office... and the freedom to do and go anywhere I felt necessary.  Basically, I was told to "just look around".  The owner of the company was so impressed with what I found in and suggested for his "sheet-fed" printing division, that he sent me to his "web-fed" printing division that was really the one in serious financial and organizational trouble.  Although I was given no official title, the officers of the company let me manage and alter the operation as I saw fit to do.  Because of what I did, and the trust they had in me, this company was able to avoid bankruptcy.

 

Then I decided to "become my own boss".  I took over a small printing company which was about to go bankrupt.  It took about a year before it was able to produce a good income.  We produced quality printed jobs.  My functions were numerous... from sales and administration... to press, camera and bindery operations.  I did what needed to be done.  It was another proud accomplishment.

 

The Business and Therapy Correlation...

Because of my experience and training in "analyzing and solving problems", I tend to look at problems in the body in a similar way.  In a sense, the body is also "an organization".  In many ways it is more complex than business organizations.  However, a problem is a problem.  Once people become experienced in defining problems... and in developing goals and strategies... solutions can be found.  Pretty much, that is how I work with complex chronic conditions that patients present to me.

 

Contacting Joel Safran