Name: Calgary Integrative Medicine
Address: 4525 Monterey Ave NW #230, AB
Telephone: (403) 202-7272

While we often think about massage as a way to relax and unwind, massage therapy has been used for millennia to treat a wide variety of health conditions. Today, massage therapy plays a significant role in many pain management approaches, including for chronic pain. How massage therapy helps relieve chronic pain can vary from patient to patient but, in general, massage therapy can help relieve chronic pain by increasing blood and lymph circulation, and relaxing and normalizing muscle tissues around the affected area. Let’s take a closer look at what each of these entails.

Increasing Blood and Lymph Circulation

With localized chronic pain comes inflammation. This inflammation is caused by a decrease in blood flow to the affected area triggered by your body’s natural response to protect it. While your body means well, this decrease in blood flow can result in a lack of oxygen and an increase of toxins in the affected area, causing symptoms such as fatigue and increased pain.

A combination of the manipulation of muscle tissue and the chemicals your body releases as part of its natural relaxation response, massage therapy for chronic pain relief is known to improve blood and lymph circulation. This, in turn, improves the delivery of vital oxygen and nutrients to muscles, improves cellular health, and helps muscle tissues function better. The improved circulation also aids in lymphatic drainage, the removal of waste products, and helps reduce inflammation in the muscle tissues. This overall reduction in inflammation reduces chronic pain symptoms and helps restore mobility to the affected area.

Relaxing and Normalizing Muscle Tissues

When muscles tense and tighten up to protect sensitive areas, they can sometimes compress the nerves around them. This can lead to discomfort, numbness, and, of course, chronic pain if the muscles stay tense for long periods. Massage therapy for pain relief helps relax these tense muscles, releasing these compressed nerves and allowing them to continue receiving the proper nutrients and functioning as normal.

Connective tissues can sometimes also get stuck to tense muscles due to poor circulation, interfering with regular movement and restricting a patient’s range of motion. This then contributes to lower activity levels, which can ultimately worsen chronic pain symptoms. Massage therapy for chronic pain provides relief by stretching and loosening muscles and any connective tissues that may be stuck to them, freeing them up and normalizing their function. What’s more, relaxing tense muscles and decreasing inflammation through massage therapy can also enhance the body’s self-healing processes, speeding up recovery from injuries and providing long-lasting relief from chronic pain.

Massage Therapy for Chronic Pain In Calgary

If you’re looking for massage therapy for chronic pain relief in Calgary, look no further than Calgary Interactive Medicine. Our well-trained and passionate massage therapists are dedicated to helping our clients feel their best and offer more than just an average massage. In addition to helping you relax, we aim to deliver therapeutic benefits that serve as an effective part of your personalized pain management plan.

Whether you’re looking to combat muscle tension, everyday stress, or a chronic disease, Calgary Integrative Medicine offers effective and natural functional treatments that heal from the inside out. Reach out to us to schedule a consultation and begin your journey to wellness today.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in Canada and worldwide, but it’s not entirely inevitable. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to enhance your cardiovascular health and lower your chances of developing heart disease. To help get you started, we’ve listed our top three tips for enhancing cardiovascular health.

Eat a Heart-healthy Diet

Eating a heart-healthy diet not only tastes great but does wonders for your cardiovascular health in the long term. It can help improve your blood pressure, lower your cholesterol, decrease inflammation (that can often lead to oxidized cholesterol and disease), and decrease your risk of developing diabetes. Heart-healthy tips include:

Avoid all seed oils (canola, sunflower, safflower etc.)
Eat a diet low in the glycemic index to keep insulin low. This means limiting sugar, pasta, bread, grains and other carbohydrates.
Consume adequate protein including meat and fish.
Don’t fear fat!
Reduce dairy intake if it causes problems for your digestion.
Cut out packaged, refined and processed foods.

Eating a heart-healthy diet isn’t just about increasing your intake of certain foods, however, and you’ll want to limit how much salt, sugar, processed carbohydrates, alcohol, saturated fat, and trans fats you consume. In short, pay attention to what you eat, and your heart will thank you for it.

Exercise Regularly

We’ve all heard about the benefits of regular exercise, and if you’re looking to enhance your cardiovascular health, there’s simply no way around it. Exercise gets the blood pumping and keeps your heart healthy and strong by lowering the chances of developing conditions that strain it. The general recommendation is to get at least half an hour to an hour of exercise a day. Ideally, you’ll want to aim for at least two hours of light to moderate cardio, an hour of high-intensity cardio, and at least an hour of strength training a week.

Getting to that level of activity does require some building up, however. And even if you aren’t able to commit to an hour a day, there’s still plenty of things you can do to help. For instance, get into the habit of taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work. Do some extra gardening or cleaning around the house or take your dog out on longer walks. Even as little as five minutes of extra movement a day can contribute to a healthier heart.

Get a Full Cardio Blood Panel

Enhancing your cardiovascular health isn’t just about eating right and getting enough exercise. It’s just as important to regularly monitor your heart health to lower your risk of heart disease. One of the easiest ways you can do this is by regularly testing your cholesterol level. However, studies have shown that up to 50% of people that suffer heart attacks have “normal” cholesterol levels. The reason behind this is that certain harmful lipoproteins simply do not show up on standard cholesterol tests.

The Lipoprotein Particle Profile (LPP) test is one of the most advanced cardiovascular tests available. Rather than simply measuring cholesterol levels, the LPP test measures the lipoprotein particles in your blood directly. By measuring the number and density of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in your body, you’re able to get a much more accurate picture of your cardiovascular risk. This allows you to more accurately determine whether you’re at risk of heart disease and take effective countermeasures before it’s too late.

At Calgary Integrative Medicine, we offer full cardio blood panels (including LPP panels) through our partnered laboratories to better serve our patients. Book a consultation with one of our specialists today to find out more about how getting a full cardio panel can help lower your risk of heart disease and enhance your overall cardiovascular health.

One of the most divisive up-coming functional medicine options out there to relieve pain and inflammation is Platelet Rich Plasma, or better known as PRP.

The process involves platelets, which are blood cells that can help wounds to heal quicker, being extracted from a small sample of blood through a centrifuge (a device that spins at high speed separating the platelets from the blood). The platelets are then injected into the pain area of the patient’s body.

While the process sounds amazing, it is crucial to have a thorough understanding of the positives and negatives of PRP in Calgary.

The Pros Of Platelet Rich Plasma Injections in Calgary

It can help you with an array of medical conditions, including chronic tendon injuries, acute muscle and ligament injuries, arthritis, surgery recovery and bone fractures.

— PRP is known for being “autologous” – meaning it comes from the patient’s body – so it is a natural injection.

— Due to PRP using your blood and cells, it works faster to treat injuries and help your body recover from any inflammation.

— The Platelet Rich Plasma injections can take less than an hour. You will be in and out of your appointment in no time.

— The injection does not weaken your body as cortisone does; it strengthens them.

The Cons of Platelet Rich Plasma Injections in Calgary

The procedure itself can be quite expensive for many people, and there are no guarantees yet that insurance companies will cover the injections.

— Due to the minimal published research of the procedure (it is still new), there is some scepticism that there could be long-term side-effects that no one knows yet.

— There will be some pain in the injected areas for several days. There is a set recovery process when it comes to PRP injections.

These are the pros and cons that come with getting PRP injections in Calgary. If you would like more hands-on information on PRP or other non-invasive injections such as Prolotherapy in Calgary, speak to a specialist today.

Calgary Integrative Medicine provides long-term, sustainable health solutions. We aim for the root cause when treating symptoms and our methods are known to improve quality of life. From pain management to anti-aging and chronic illness treatment, at Calgary Integrative Medicine, we want to get you on the road to healing and recovery. Give us a call at (403) 202-7272 or send an email to info@calgarymed.ca.

Medical laser treatments are one of the most common and accessible options for people seeking skin solutions. However, people do have a habit of jumping into these sessions without knowing the critical facts.

Medical Laser Treatments In Calgary: Five Things You Must Know

Laser treatments will require multiple sessions
While people hope that they can get the best skin after just one session, it does not work like that when it comes to laser medical treatments. Multiple sessions will be required to get the best long-term effects. Depending on what type of medical laser treatment you get, the time frame between each session can vary from a few weeks to a few months.
But the process is pretty fast
While it might require you to undertake multiple sessions to get the best long-term results, the process itself is surprisingly fast. Medical laser treatments professionals can have you in-and-out within 30 minutes.
There will be side-effects
Remember, you are dealing with a laser that is penetrating your skin, so there are going to be side-effects. In most cases, they will be minor, such as redness, swelling and maybe some bruising. Anything more than that, such as infections or scars, you should go back to see your medical laser professional.
Going to a professional service is vital
While price is always a factor in these situations, experience and quality shouldn’t be. Always do your research and find the best medical laser treatment centre in Calgary. You will be comfortable knowing that you will be in the hands of the best professionals.
Recovery time is essential for best results
To ensure the best results, it is imperative that you take the critical aftercare steps. Undertaking anything drastic after the procedure will not only increase the chances of you having side-effects but can make the process pointless. This means that you should not sweat excessively, no gym and no contact with direct sunlight for a few days.

We hope that this information will help you when it comes to getting medical laser treatments in Calgary.

It is not uncommon for a lot of people to suffer sore muscles, stiff backs, tight necks, and painful feet after sitting down at their desks all day. It is part and parcel of today’s sedative work life. But that means you have to be as active as possible to improve your health. And if that does not help, visiting a massage therapy clinic in Calgary in the NW can help.

6 Ways In Which Massage Therapy In Calgary Can Help You

A full body massage can relax and loosen your tense muscles. Sitting down all day will create weak muscles. By getting them massaged by a professional, you are stimulating them for the better.
Sitting down all day puts your body in an awkward position. It is out of shape and not meant to be that way. And the first thing to happen is back pain. Massage therapy can realign your spine and get your body back to shape it once was, as well as strengthen your back muscles.
You can increase the circulation of blood in your body by getting a massage. The pulling and pushing of your muscles will see blood run through your body, improving your health. At the same time, you will help strengthen your body’s immune system.
You can reduce the chance for potential headaches and migraines by getting a massage. Key body points will release the tension built up in your head.
You are also reducing all the built-up stresses in your body and mind when you visit a massage therapist in Calgary. They will put you in a relaxing state of mind.
Massage therapy is also a great preventative way in which you can stop future issues from happening. By activating tight muscles and slowly strengthening them, you are preventing them from getting hurt again.

Book An Appointment With Your Massage Therapist In Calgary

Do not risk your health and well being by sitting down all day. Find a massage therapist that can help you strengthen your body, relieve pain and pressure, and improve your lifestyle. Book your appointment as soon as possible and get active today.

Calgary Integrative Medicine provides long-term, sustainable health solutions. We aim for the root cause when treating symptoms and our methods are known to improve quality of life. From pain management to anti-aging and chronic illness treatment, at Calgary Integrative Medicine, we want to get you on the road to healing and recovery. Give us a call at (403) 202-7272 or send an email to info@calgarymed.ca.

If you are fighting chronic pain and inflammation, you might be sick of continually taking prescription tablets and seeing no results. It could be time to look to natural methods, such as acupuncture. If you are wondering how this can help, take a read below.

Acupuncture Will Releases The Body’s Natural Pain Killers

When you visit a PRP specialist in Calgary, they will go through bit by bit breakdown of their acupuncture process. In basic terms, it involves needles piercing your skin, and releasing natural pain killers in your body. It works like this: a needle is poked through your skin, sending waves to the nervous system, which passes it onto the brain. The brain will then release chemicals such as endorphins, adenosine and oxytocin, which are considered ‘natural’ pain killers. These natural repellants will fight back against the inflammation in your body better than most drugs.

Acupuncture Will Relax The Body

One of the most significant benefits of getting acupuncture in Calgary is that it breaks down the tense muscles and relaxes the body. While that might not seem directly connected to inflammation, one of the core reasons why people suffer from pain is because they do not rest and relax. The tension of stress continues to build up the pain and inflammation. Acupuncture can relieve that by relaxing the muscles and the body. It will also make your sleep easier, and better, ensuring that you get more time to recover.

Acupuncture Calms The Mind

They always say: ‘it’s in your head’. Well, with acupuncture, it can be. An effective way of battling against inflammation and pain is with your attitude and approach. The more positive you are, the better you can handle it. Acupuncture will not only help your body, but it will be great for your mind as well. With a calming mind, you will be able to handle the pain better and can manage it more comfortably going forward. You can learn more about the details of how it helps your mind by visiting an acupuncturist in Calgary.

If you’re looking for a natural and effective way to reduce pain, you may want to consider prolotherapy treatments in Calgary. There are few risks associated with the procedure, and the success rate is quite high. However, there are some things you should know before beginning the process.

What is Prolotherapy?

Simply stated, prolotherapy involves the injection of a dextrose solution into the soft tissue of an injured join or another affected area. The procedure is non-surgical and natural, as it works to stimulate your body’s healing response.

How Does Prolotherapy Work?

The injection of the dextrose solution works to trigger or activate a healing response from your body. Over time, the body will work to repair and strengthen weakened joints and damaged ligaments. In some cases, multiple injections over multiple sessions are required to achieve the desired response and overall effect.

What Should I Expect From Prolotherapy?

As with most functional medicine procedures, the process begins with an initial consult and assessment. Physicians will perform tests and analyze your circumstances to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for prolotherapy in Calgary. Once the results are conclusive, you can begin treatments and start your journey towards a better, pain-free life.

How to Prepare For Prolotherapy Treatments

Leading up to an appointment for prolotherapy injections, you should stop the use of any over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. On the day of, be sure to eat well and ensure your meals are rich in protein. Once at the clinic, the doctor will sterilize the area and apply a local anesthetic to numb the pain. The number of prolotherapy shots you receive depends on the type of injury or treatment that is necessary.

What are the Benefits of Prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy has been proven to be an effective form of pain relief for a number of patients. The improved joint strength reduces pain and improves overall stability over time. Prolotherapy, like other functional medicine treatments including PRP, acupuncture and massage therapy, is a natural method. However, the overarching benefit of prolotherapy is that it is permanent. Prolotherapy is beneficial for individuals with back pain and is also common for knees, hip, and shoulder injuries.

If you suffer from chronic pain or inflammation in your ligaments and joints, it can be difficult to find a pain relief method that works and doesn’t cause more damage. Traditional analgesics can weaken the liver and lead to other unwanted side effects. Functional medicine is a holistic and natural approach to health and wellness. While some may think of functional medicine as being strictly preventative, there are a number of treatments that can effectively target pain and decrease inflammation.

#1. Try Prolotherapy/PRP Treatments

Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) are non-surgical repair procedures that involve the precise injection of either a dextrose solution or the platelet-rich portion of your plasma into the affected area. Whether you’re suffering from chronic pain or a recent injury, PRP treatments in Calgary can stimulate your body’s repair mechanisms, allowing you to heal, regenerate and get on the road to a pain-free life.

#2. Get Pain Relief Through Massage Therapy in Calgary

Therapeutic massage is an effective addition to your personalized pain management plan. For pain relief without pills, look for a clinic that offers functional medicine and massage therapy in Calgary. Whether you’re looking to combat muscle tension, chronic pain, or find relief from everyday stress, professional massage therapy can help you reach your desired results of ultimate pain relief.

#3. Medical Marijuana Can Help With Pain Relief

Medical marijuana falls under the category of functional medicine in Calgary and can be extremely useful in targeting pain in addition to the damaging effects of anxiety and depression. The difference between medical marijuana and the cannabis products sold elsewhere is that we can give you a prescription for a marijuana strain that caters to your specific needs.

#4. Visit a Calgary Acupuncture Clinic For Relief From Chronic Pain

Acupuncture is a functional medicine method that has been around for thousands of years. If chronic pain is getting in the way of living your day to day life, acupuncture in Calgary might be the answer for effective and drug-free pain relief.

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

A hormone imbalance can drastically interfere with your daily life, but hormone replacement therapy can help. Once determining whether or not there is an issue with your hormone levels, thyroid or adrenals, hormone replacement therapy in Calgary, involving naturopathic treatments, can help you get back on your feet.

Hormone Replacement therapy isn’t for everyone, but if you’re experiencing symptoms such as low energy and exhaustion, severe mood swings and decreased libido, hormone replacement could be the answer.

Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Increase Energy Levels

Many people do not realize that a hormone imbalance could be the culprit for decreased energy levels. Hormone deficiencies might also cause insomnia or difficulty sleeping, resulting in even greater fatigue.

Hormone Replacement Can Help Your Libido

A drastic decrease in your sexual desire may be the result of a hormone deficiency, and functional medicine could be the answer to getting back to normal. If you feel that your libido has decreased significantly, it might be time to consider hormone replacement therapy.

Drastic Mood Swings Could be a Sign you Need Hormone Replacement Therapy

Mood swings, irritability, and depression are all signs that you might have a hormone imbalance and you need hormone replacement therapy. Extreme anxiety and depression can be debilitating symptoms so find out all you can about Calgary functional medicine and then seek treatment as soon as possible.

Other Physical Symptoms Requiring Hormone Replacement Therapy

The imbalance of testosterone, estrogen and other hormones does not only have emotional implications. If you are experiencing acne, weight gain, loss of bone density, menopausal symptoms for women and erectile dysfunction for men or other physical symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider about hormone replacement therapy.

Calgary Anti-Aging Therapy

If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t just take them for granted as part of the normal aging process. Hormone replacement therapy is an anti-aging treatment that could have the most significant impact on your emotional, mental and physical well-being. Once you’ve solved the problem of a hormone imbalance, ask about other anti-aging treatments that will help you look as good as you feel such as Botox injections.

Don’t let aging slow you down. Get the anti-aging therapy you need to look and feel your best.

Feeling tired, sad, or just not like yourself? It’s time to listen to your body and get the treatment you need to feel your best. Check out these signs that you need hormone replacement therapy Calgary.

Your Energy Levels are Low Before Hormone Replacement Therapy

Feeling tired and exhausted throughout the day is one of the most common signs of hormone imbalance. People often blame fatigue on growing older, but ageing doesn’t have to leave you exhausted all the time. Hormone replacement therapy is a type of functional medicine that can help you feel energized.

You Aren’t Sleeping Well without Functional Treatment

Hormones that are out of balance can contribute to insomnia in both men and women. Because sleep is rejuvenating and is so vital for maintaining a proper hormone balance, the lack of sleep creates a vicious cycle. Anti-ageing therapy can break this cycle and help you sleep better.

Depression and Moodiness Prior to Anti-Aging Therapy

Estrogen and testosterone impact the brain; if levels get out of whack, it can lead to symptoms of depression and moodiness. Anti-depressants don’t always work because the problem is often a hormone imbalance as opposed to clinical depression. Hormone replacement therapy restores hormones to optimal levels to relieve the symptoms of depression.

Lack of Sexual Desire without Hormone Replacement Therapy Calgary

Hormones, particularly testosterone, play an important role in increasing sexual desire. Functional medicine can optimize testosterone levels to benefit the libido and improve sexual desire, mood, and energy.

Pair Hormone Replacement with Botox Calgary and Other Anti-Aging Therapies

If any of the above symptoms sound familiar, talk to a health care provider about hormone replacement therapy Calgary. While you’re at the clinic, you can also ask about other anti-ageing treatments, like Botox.

Don’t let ageing slow you down. Get the anti-ageing therapy you need to look and feel your best.

Calgary Integrative Medicine provides long-term, sustainable health solutions. We aim for the root cause when treating symptoms and our methods are known to improve quality of life. From pain management to anti-ageing and chronic illness treatment, at Calgary Integrative Medicine, we want to get you on the road to healing and recovery. Give us a call at (403) 202-7272 or send an email to info@calgarymed.ca.