Locals: Sue Love and Sapna Patel Flower, Restore Integrative Health
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Photo: Matt Forsythe
When naturopathic doctors Sue Love and Sapna Patel Flower opened Restore Integrative Health in 2012, Leslieville didn't have anything quite like it at the time. You either went to your family physician or a walk-in clinic for whatever might ail you, but there was a void in integrative and complementary healthcare choices beyond the standard check-up.
Restore takes account of the whole person — body, mind, and spirit — with the idea that every patient is unique and each treatment may not be effective for the same set of diagnoses or symptoms. Sue and Sapna, along with their team of massage therapists, chiropractors and naturopathatic doctors, custom-tailor plans for all aspects of one's lifestyle — from nutrition counselling to injury recovery and stress management — through a combination of modern and traditional medicines and practices.
WHAT IS RESTORE ALL ABOUT?
We’re an integrative health clinic, and our goal is to provide individualized, collaborative and preventative care. This means we have a number of practitioners with different skills who can work together to address most health concerns. Our services include naturopathic medicine, chiropractic care, registered massage therapy, osteopathy, psychotherapy, acupuncture and nutrition counseling.
WHAT ARE MOST OF YOUR CLIENTS LOOKING FOR IN A VISIT?
A one-stop shop for health, where they don’t need to tell their health story again and again. They want somewhere they can walk to, where they feel welcome and cared for, and where they can get answers as to why they're experiencing the issues they are.
WHY RESTORE AND NOT JUST GO SEE A DOCTOR?
We suggest that all of our patients visit Restore as a complement to their family physician. They’re both really important and work together. Our patients say our approach is unique. They tell us they like coming here because our space is warm and comfortable, we schedule appointments such that we have enough time to address all of your concerns, you don’t need to wait for long periods of time when you arrive, we can see you on short notice, we are friendly, and we care about each and every person who walks in the door.
HOW ARE YOUR SERVICES COMPLEMENTARY?
Our view is that there is an important role for both, and many traditional healthcare providers recognize this as well. We get referrals from local family physicians for many conditions including acute and chronic pain management, digestive issues, fertility and prenatal care, depression and anxiety, insomnia, stress management, weight loss, cardiovascular issues and diabetes. We're highly trained in knowing when a referral to a family physician is warranted, and this happens often.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU OPEN IN LESLIEVILLE?
The east end is home, and we love it here. The east end has a community that we see as being truly unique in Toronto.
HOW DOES RESTORE FIT INTO THE COMMUNITY?
We’re family friendly, which is what Leslieville is all about. All of our practitioners are highly trained in working with babies and children as well as adults so the whole family can be cared for in one stop.
OUTSIDE OF RESTORE, HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD?
With so many fantastic and walkable shops and restaurants in Leslieville, it’s easy to get your day-to-day shopping done or pop out for a delicious bite to eat. Let's not forget the amazing independent coffee shops in the neighbourhood — getting your Americano and taking the kids to the park for a morning play is always in the schedule.
