I discovered my passion early in life: Movement! As a child, skating, biking, and dancing were my greatest pleasures. As a teenager and young adult, I became a professional dancer and choreographer and, later, earned my doctorate in dance.
But first, I had to overcome this pronouncement: “Young lady, you’ll never dance professionally. You will live with pain.”
As a child, I developed severe scoliosis: an incorrect curve of the spine. At 16, I couldn’t participate in sports, I had muscles spasms, my back ached, and simply doing homework produced horrible pain. After viewing my x-rays, an orthopedic surgeon made that terrible pronouncement.
But something told me to believe in myself and my body – not the doctor’s dire prognosis. Luckily, I found Dr. Erdman, who treated me with gentle manipulation therapy. As my body healed, the pain left and freedom of movement returned. Remarkably, I became pain-free and pursued a long and successful dance career.
My career naturally transitioned to medical massage
During 20 years of intense training and study, I learned a great deal about the body. Balance, movement, integration, strength, and coordination aren’t abstract concepts to me – they’re real states of physical being.
Today, as a medical massage therapist and wellness educator, I am certified by several massage schools, have studied anatomy and kinesiology, and have pioneered using therapeutic movement for older adults. Yet my greatest teacher is the human body itself. I am grateful to learn and share so much as I correct patients’ body mechanics.
I enjoy this challenge: Find the exact cause of your pain – and heal your pain
When you experience chronic or serious pain, you may feel alone, fearful, and resist getting help. But if your hip hurts so badly you can’t sleep, please don’t despair. We have solutions. When shoulder pain prevents you from enjoying hobbies or sports, don’t turn to pain killers. We have helped countless others become pain-free. When your neck hurts all day at work, you have a place to come for lasting relief.
My goal is to help you become pain-free as quickly as possible, so you can achieve greater freedom of movement and enjoy your body. Believe me, this will allow you to be the person you really are – happy, vibrantly alive, and full of potential.
Developer, please get a scanned signature from Joan (first name only) and place it here.
Dr. Joan Sloss: Professional credentials
Colorado School for Healing Arts: Certified in Therapeutic Massage (1,000 hours) Minneapolis School for Massage: Certified in Therapeutic Massage (500 hours)
Are you in pain?