If you or your child has symptoms that don’t make sense, you’re not imagining it. Many of the women and parents I see in Centretown, Ottawa have already tried tests, diets, supplements and appointments, and still don’t have clear answers.
Functional medicine looks for why symptoms are happening, not just how to quiet them. I practise it gently, trauma-informed, and paced by your nervous system. No 20-step protocols. No handfuls of supplements.
What is functional medicine?
Most care focuses on the symptom in front of it. Functional medicine looks at how the body’s systems affect each other and how stress, history, and environment shape how you feel today. It considers:
- gut function and digestion
- nutrition and nutrient balance
- immune resilience and recurring infections
- hormones and sleep rhythms
- emotional stress and past trauma
- environmental stressors
- the autonomic nervous system
How my approach to functional medicine is different
Functional medicine can mean long questionnaires, costly lab panels, strict diets and a shelf of supplements. For an overwhelmed nervous system, or a sensitive child, that is often too much. As a functional medicine practitioner in Ottawa, I work differently:
- Gentle, body-based assessment. I use Autonomic Response Testing (ART) and applied kinesiology to explore what your system is responding to and where to start. It isn’t a lab test or a diagnosis; it guides where we focus.
- Paced by your nervous system. We move only as fast as your body, or your child’s, can comfortably handle.
- Simple, realistic plans. The fewest changes needed for real progress. If a supplement makes sense, it’s one or two, not ten.
- Combined with gentle osteopathy. Gentle osteopathy helps your body release the tension and stress patterns it has been holding, so the physical, biological and emotional layers are supported together.
Who I work with
Women who are:
- carrying chronic stress or emotional load
- dealing with gut, hormonal or sleep changes
- tired in a way that never fully resets
- living with pain or tension that moves around
- told “your tests look normal” but still don’t feel like themselves
More on nervous system support for women.
Children whose parents notice:
- emotional intensity or frequent meltdowns
- sensory overwhelm
- sleep or digestive struggles
- recurring infections or skin issues
- difficulty settling or self-regulating
Sessions are adapted to your child’s age and comfort, and a parent or caregiver is always present. More on support for sensitive children.
What a first session looks like
- Listening. Your history, your concerns, and what you’ve already tried.
- Assessment. Gentle ART and hands-on assessment to see what your system is prioritizing. You stay fully clothed, and you set the pace.
- Support. Depending on what you need: gentle osteopathic work, acupressure-based release, or a conversation about nutrition and daily rhythms.
- A realistic next step. We agree on a plan that fits your life. You decide how often you come.
For more detail on the assessment itself, see Root-Cause Assessment in Ottawa.
What clients say
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Frequently asked questions
Are you a medical doctor? No. I’m an osteopathic manual practitioner with over 20 years of experience working with women and children, using osteopathy and functional medicine. I don’t diagnose or treat disease, and I’m happy to work alongside your family doctor and other providers.
Is ART a medical test or diagnosis? No. It’s a gentle way of noticing how your body responds, which helps us decide where to start. Always discuss any medical concerns with your doctor.
Will I need lab tests? Not usually. My approach doesn’t rely on large lab panels or costly testing.
Do I need to stop my medications or supplements? No. Never stop or change a medication without talking to your prescriber.
Is it covered by insurance? Sessions are booked as osteopathy appointments, so extended health plans that cover osteopathy may cover part or all of the cost. Coverage varies, so check with your provider.
How many sessions will I need? It varies. Some people notice a shift within a few sessions; long-standing or complex patterns may take longer. You’re always in control of how often you come.
Where are you located? 355 Waverley Street in Centretown, Ottawa. Clients come from the Glebe, Westboro, Hintonburg, Old Ottawa South and across the city.
Your first step: a free Discovery Session
The Discovery Session is a free, no-pressure conversation, in person or by video. We’ll talk through what’s been happening, what you’ve tried, and whether this approach feels right for you or your child.