Cindy Grainger — C.SMA of the Month (May 2021)

Dr. Cindy Grainger, R.Ac., C.SMA

Dr. Cindy Grainger graduated from CITCM in Calgary AB with a double major in Acupuncture and Doctorate of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2014. In the fall of 2017, she attended her first Sports Medicine Acupuncture Certification (SMAC) class in San Diego with Matt Callison, Brian Lau and the crew and was blown away (and slightly overwhelmed) with the detailed course information. In 2019, she completed her SMAC training and has not looked back since.

Dr. Cindy is all about patient care first and foremost and one of the more modest individuals you will come across, which is a direct reflection on why her wellness clinic in Sundre continues to grow and be successful, especially during these more challenging times during the COVID pandemic. Dr. Cindy has young boys at home, so keeping things closer to home is her main focus at this point.

“On a typical day at the clinic, it is common to see many back, neck and shoulder issues from chronic wear and tear. I also work closely with higher level Spartan athletes and Sinister 7 competitors (167 Km, 24 hour relay race through the mountains), as well as performance horse and rider combinations. In addition, I work with competitive level hockey players with the goal of keeping them them healthy and increasing their odds for NHL drafting opportunities. In my spare time, I also volunteer with the Professional Rodeo Sports Medicine team.

The one case that came to me a little over a year ago that has impacted me the most, to this day, was a young lady in her late 20’s with multiple sclerosis. She came as a last resort for pain management. She was not able to walk unassisted and on good days was able to ambulate with the used a walker.

Upon the initial examination, the patient was on many different pain medications, which did not seem to help with the numbness, tingling and immense pain that she experienced in her legs and arms. The patient also was urine and fecal incontinent and wore a diaper. This young lady had no quality of life, yet there she sat presenting with a smile on her face and an inspiring attitude.

Over the course of a couple months, the treatments consisted of both TCM and SMAC protocols. With several treatments, her mobility went from using a walker to eventually a cane, to increased speed and gait agility, to having full control of bodily functions, sleeping, and only a couple pain medications pills a day! In the third month of treatments, there was a turning point, when I met the patient in the clinic waiting room to assist her into the treatment room. The patient stood up and handed her the cane and she walked away and entered the treatment room on her own for the first time ever, which still chokes me up!

Incredibly, two months later, she started a mild jogging and experience program and started to entertain the idea of having children again. Her husband joined her at an appointment to personally thank the person involved for giving his wife back her life! Don’t get me wrong…she still has her bad days and is not “cured” by any means, but she is able to live and not just exist!

I can honestly say that, without my SMAC training, I am not sure I would have been able to get here as far as I did. I know I didn’t treat a high-profile sports team or athlete with my training, nor did I get the social media recognition that most seek, in my eyes I got so more. This is why I do what I do and I love my job.”

To connect with Cindy Grainger, visit her C.SMA Directory Listing.