Your Body Knows How to Heal Itself

​It just needs the right environment to feel safe enough to finally let go . . .

Myofascial Somatics is a gentle, whole person approach that supports the body to release tissue tension, reduce pain and free the body to move with ease, by unwinding from the restrictive patterns your body has been holding onto.

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Kristen Braid, MKin, CSEP-CEP
Kinesiologist | Myofascial Release Therapist | Somatic Movement Educator

Myofascial Somatics is great if you are experiencing:

• General aches and pains
• Arthritis
• Old injuries that are still nagging at you
• Stiffness after a long day at work or
• Repercussions of a past traumatic accident

Regardless of the source of pain, many clients come to me with similar stories. Some of the most common reasons they reach out for help are that they want to:

• Have fun playing in the backyard with their kids or grandkids
• Be able to go on vacation and have confidence they can do everything they want to do
• Enjoy volunteering and participating in social activities
• Feel confident they can care for their home and yard without paying the price later
• Get through their work day and still feel good enough to enjoy their free time

​At the end of the day, they just want to feel better so they can continue to do the things that bring meaning and joy to their lives, without being limited by pain!

The Myofascial Somatics Method

An Approach for Bringing the Body Back to its Natural State of Being

When I first took training in myofascial release therapy and somatics, I was awakened to a whole new way of seeing how the body works. I knew I had discovered something spacial because it supported everything I believe in - the body has the ability to heal itself, it just needs the right guidance to do so.

You are the only person who knows everything your body has ever been through. What makes Myofascial Somatics different is that I work with you and your own felt experience to guide the process. We will also address any mental or emotional patterns that may be contributing to your body's holding patterns and pain signals.

At the end of your initial session you will receive the first steps for your Pain Recovery Plan and we will build on this as we work together. Your Pain Recovery Plan will empower you to continue to treat yourself and provide you with tools and skills you can use for your ongoing self care.

If Myofascial Somatics sounds like the right fit for you,
I'd love to help!

Every body responds differently to the approach, however, most people receive everything they need to lay a solid foundation for their Pain Recovery Plan within 3 to 6 sessions.

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In Person Initial Session: 75 min | $120
In Person Follow Up Session: 60 min | $95

Sessions are available only in person given the hands on nature of the service.
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​I am located at Azure Massage and Wellness | 5007 49 St. Camrose, Alberta Canada
Payment is accepted in cash or e-transfer at the time of your session.

If you have questions or prefer to book offline, please feel free to call or text 587-215-6100 or email [email protected]

How it works:

• Private sessions are a blend of all the modalities I use including myofascial release therapy, somatic movement education, Hakomi health coaching and exercise therapy.
• Your first session will be an in depth assessment where I get to know you, what you've been dealing with and what you want to see change as a result of your sessions. You will receive my recommendations for your Pain Recovery Plan and we'll get started. Your follow up sessions will then focus on moving you towards your goals.
• How many sessions you need depends on what you are wanting to work on and how the body adapts to the treatment. Most people will book a follow up session within 2 - 3 weeks after their initial visit and then every 3 - 4 weeks after that until you feel comfortable maintaining your plan on your own.

Myofascial Release Therapy and Somatic Movement Education
​You will receive hands on treatment as well as self myofascial release techniques and simple movement patterns you can do at home to provide ongoing care for your body and to maximize the benefits of your sessions.

• You remain fully clothed during a session as we will be moving the body into different positions to release the tissues and re-educate the muscles. It is recommended to wear a loose fitting tank top and shorts as the treatment is applied directly to the skin.
• Gentle pressure is applied to the body, meeting the body where it is at. There is no painful pushing or forcing through restrictions. Myofascial release therapy meets the tissue at its barrier and then waits for the tissue to change form. This is what makes myofascial release so effective. It creates a shift in the tissue from its hardened restricted state back to its natural gel-like state.

Hakomi Health Coaching 
​This work is holistic. Pain is rarely simply a physical manifestation. That is why, when needed, I offer Hakomi Health Coaching to address the mental and emotional layers of pain as well. The body, mind, emotions and spirit all operate as one whole being, all of which need to be given space during a session to receive the full benefits.

• Hakomi is a compassionate, mindfulness based approach to working with mental patterns and emotions that are just out of our awareness, often creating holding patterns in the physical body. We access these unconscious patterns by listening to the language of the body. That is why this works so seamlessly with myofascial release therapy - we can do both at the same time..
• Sometimes, as much as we want change to happen, we can feel stuck. Wanting to move forward and not knowing why we aren't following through on the things we know are good for us is frustrating. This is where Hakomi Health Coaching really helps. It brings into your awareness the root source of what is keeping you stuck and provides gentle guidance and support to move through the pattern, allowing your body to move freely again.

​Exercise Therapy
As a practicing Kinesiologist for over 20 years, I have specialized in chronic disease and chronic pain management. My approach to exercise is mindful, compassionate and meets your body exactly where it is at.

• The simplest exercises can make worlds of difference - often allowing you to reduce pain medications, gain function in your daily life and even avoid or prolong the need for surgeries - simply by learning how to bring more consciousness to how you are moving your body.

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Hi, I'm Kristen!
I believe we all have the ability to heal ourselves. My approach is empowering because you are engaged in the process so you can embody the changes happening during the session. While it can take time to work through layers of tension, the goal is to set you up for success with a Pain Recovery Plan, so you can experience long lasting change. This work is designed to create profound healing shifts, as long as you stay engaged in the process. When you keep up with your Pain Recovery Plan, the shifts will last a lifetime!

Frequently asked questions:

What is the difference between massage therapy and myofascial release therapy?

• ​Massage therapy focuses on relaxing muscles and easing tension using oils, strokes, and pressure. Myofascial release is different — it uses gentle, sustained holds (without oils) over time to create a physical transformation in the fascia tissue. Other myofascial techniques I use include: unwinding - a neuromuscular re-patterning technique and rebounding - a gentle rocking of the body to help re-set the nervous system and re-hydrate the previously restricted tissues.

What is myofascia?

• Myo means muscle and fascia is the connective tissue web that surrounds everything in the body. So "myofascia" means the fascia that specifically moves through the muscular system. This work helps relieve pain, restore movement, and at times can support emotional release.

​Is myofascial release painful?

• While some forms of myofascial release can be painful, I was trained in the John F. Barnes approach, which is a non-violent approach to working with the body. The body cannot heal itself if it doesn't feel safe. Fasica tissue restricts when in pain, preventing release from happening. The approach I use is to meet the body at its first barrier - not forcing or pushing - and we wait there for the release to naturally happen on its own. Your body is wise and knows what it needs. It's my job to listen to what wants to happen next.

​Are your services covered by insurance?

• While most plans do not cover Kinesiology services, you can check with your insurance provider to see if you may be covered under a health spending account. My credentials are a Masters of Kinesiology and Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology - Clinical Exercise Physiologist. 

​​What is the difference between Kinesiology and Physiotherapy?

• Physiotherapy focuses on assessing, diagnosing, and treating injuries or conditions to restore function. It often includes assessment to determine what structures are injured as well as hands-on therapy, exercise programs, and medical rehabilitation.
  Kinesiology is the study of human movement. I focus on the quality of how you are moving in your body and provide guidance to support your overall health and wellness.
• If you have recently been injured or are involved in an active WCB claim, I recommend seeking Physiotherapy treatment. I do not diagnose or treat acute injuries. My work is focused on restoring optimal movement patterns and relieving more chronic forms of tension in the body.

​What does Hakomi mean?

• Hakomi is an ancient word from the old Hopi language meaning "Where do I stand in relation to these many realms", an ancient form of inquiry asking "Who are you?". Please click here to learn more about the origin story of how the Hakomi Institute was named.
• The Hakomi Method was developed in 1980 by Ron Kurtz, a psychotherapist who started to witness that when he held a space of unconditional loving presence for his clients, their own unique process of healing unfolded. He noticed a predictable organic cycle common to all of his clients, and from there, the Hakomi Method was born.
• While myofascial release unwinds long held patterns in our tissues, Hakomi unwinds long held patterns in our psyche. Like untangling a tangled ball of yarn, one knot is released at a time, eventually leading you back to your most natural and whole state of being.

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