February is National Heart Health month, why not celebrate by booking a massage! Click HERE to hear a Cardiologists recommendation and reasons why.

Do you experience any of the following symptoms?

• continuous pain / tenderness in a muscle?
• muscle weakness but no muscle atrophy / wasting?
• recent increased muscle ‘tone’ or thickness without increased activity?
• a palpable tight band of muscle that is painful / makes you jump when pressed upon?
• pain when contracting or stretching a muscle?
• a recent decrease in circulation to an area / muscle?

If so, you may have a Myofascial Trigger Point (TrP)..  In a nutshell, a Trigger Point is an angry, hyperirritable segment of muscle that causes specific pain referral patterns in the body. It can also exhibit neurological symptoms like numbness and tingling, restrict your range of motion and muscle strength.

There are 5 different types of TrPs. Some are painful at rest, while others are only felt when palpated / compressed, or while under mechanical strain or overload.

A healthy muscle does not contain TrPs and should not be point tender. Referred pain should not be present. If you experience any of these above symptoms, you should consider contacting your favorite massage therapist for a treatment.

The exact cause of TrPs is unknown, but contributing factors include (and not limited to)..

• trauma (ie: muscle strains)
• direct or indirect trauma (ie: muscle overload, overwork fatigue, visceral pain and emotional stress)
• leaving a muscle in a shortened position (ie: sleeping on your belly with one leg out to the side)
• mechanical stresses (ie: bony assymmetries / imbalances such as leg length differences)
• postural stresses / body mechanics
• muscle constriction (ie: wearing a backpack / purse on your shoulder)
• metabolic imbalances (ie: hypothyroid, hypoglycemia)
• psychological factors (ie: depression and anxiety)
• chronic infection (ie: sinusitis, herpes simplex)
• impaired sleep

This first week  of practice has been beyond my expectations! Thank you to all the wonderful clients that I’ve seen this week whose stories and life experiences humbled and inspired me, the fantastic support system at 360 Degrees Health Centre, and everyone that has helped me along my path.

Direct billing for Blue Cross plan members is now available, and set up to other insurance providers (ie: Johnson, Great West Life etc) is underway.

Krista is officially open for business!

Do you need need some time to unwind? relax some tight muscles? or work on some lingering injuries / ailments? I can help you out! Massage is known to help reduce stress, improve circulation and improve overall health and wellbeing.

Call 830.6600 or email 360healthinfo@gmail.com to set up an appt at 360 Health Centre.

It’s official! I will start taking clients as of Tuesday, December 8th!

In order to formulate the best treatment plan for you, initial visits will be 75 minutes as opposed to 60 minutes (at no extra charge). In this 15 minutes we will review your health history information, discuss your treatment goals and conduct an assessment while still allowing time for an approximately 60 minute massage.

Contact Julie at 360 Health Centre Monday to book at 830.6600