Beverly M. (Patient since August 2014)

When I was eight years old all of a sudden I experienced a sharp pain in my left shoulder blade. Little did I know that I just went through a doorway that led me on a lifetime journey of acute and chronic pain. It was relentless. It would come and go and I never knew why. I just had to get through the pain that day and see what the next day would bring. I was brought to various medical doctors and was eventually informed I had Bursitis and that all I could do was use a hot water bottle until it went away.

In my 50’s, the pain became progressively worse and chronic migraines developed. A year ago I was at my breaking point. I went to my family doctor and was referred to a physiatrist. This referral began my journey to health and wellness. The physiatrist put together a plan and a multidisciplinary team of specialists to treat the pain as well as discover the root causes of it. One of the treating specialists is Dr. Leigh Arseneau who is a Naturopathic Doctor practising functional medicine. His personalized approach is evidence based and holistic in nature aimed at understanding your unique biochemical makeup and environment in which you live and work. Functional medicine addresses the root causes of mental and physical health issues as well as preventing future health problems from developing. Dr. Arseneau’s investigation involves listening to the details of your situation, asking pointed questions, and distilling your life journey into key points, trends and patterns that can lead to addressable root causes at the molecular level. He does this in an unhurried and nonjudgmental way. And has an uncanny ability to bring out the best in a person even when you are feeling lousy. Dr. Arseneau’s therapeutic presence is one that is respectful and compassionate and leaves you with a sense of empowerment and optimism. I have truly benefited from the role functional medicine has played in my life working alongside conventional medicine. It is imperative that healthcare practitioners in both areas of medicine work collaboratively to support the ongoing health and wellness of Canadian citizens allowing them to live an improved quality of life.