We are pleased to serve you from two convenient locations. Discover our facilities and find out how we can assist you with your health needs.
We are pleased to serve you from two convenient locations. Discover our facilities and find out how we can assist you with your health needs.
Hi I am Sam, Physical Therapist and Functional Nutrition and Health Coach
Like many of you, I’ve faced my share of health challenges from youth through adulthood. I grew up in a family where Western medicine was strictly followed, and the standard American diet was all we knew. Dealing with health issues like anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, fatigue, and heart palpitations was considered normal in my family. These issues were common among my mom, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, so it seemed they were destined for me as well. Following Western medicine, I was placed on proton-pump inhibitors, SSRIs, and over-the-counter medications to manage my symptoms. The problem was that my symptoms were never truly managed and only worsened over time.
It wasn’t until college, when I started gaining weight and feeling even worse, that something clicked. I realized I wasn’t taking care of myself, and these symptoms were a result of that. I’ve always been interested in health and wellness. From a young age, I played sports, lifted weights, and tried to be conscious of what I was eating. I followed trends that said fat makes you fat, so eat less of it, or just eat less overall, and you’ll lose weight. While these methods helped with weight loss, they didn’t improve my overall health.
After college, I began searching for answers on how to improve my health. I started listening to health podcasts, which led me to functional medicine practitioners. The information they presented was drastically different from what I had grown up hearing, but I knew what I was doing wasn’t working, so I started exploring these new ideas. The principles now make sense to me: eat more whole foods from the earth, recognize fat as a necessary nutrient, prioritize protein, and limit ultra-processed foods. Once I applied these principles to my life, I noticed improvements in my anxiety, increased energy, better sleep, and a complete disappearance of my GI symptoms. I finally understood what health truly meant, and I knew there was no turning back.
I always wanted to help people, so I pursued a career in physical therapy after experiencing personal pain relief through therapy. Working in the field opened my eyes to the limitations of our healthcare system. Patients would often turn to physical therapy only after trying medications or injections, and many ended up needing surgery. Over my 10 years as a physical therapist, I’ve seen a troubling increase in chronic diseases and persistent pain, highlighting the need for better tools and approaches for healing.
Drawing from my personal experiences of healing through nutrition, sleep, and lifestyle changes, I felt my patients deserved more. I knew that if I could heal myself, I could help others achieve the health they so desired. I decided to turn my passion for health and wellness into a profession by becoming certified in functional nutrition. The principles of functional nutrition aim to address the root causes of our symptoms by identifying and addressing underlying factors. These principles have been instrumental in my own health journey.
As a functional nutrition coach, my goal is to help you understand your body’s needs and design a personalized program to support you with your specific health goals. Together, we can tackle your health challenges and equip you with the tools to live with vitality.
The goal of our initial assessment is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the individual’s health status, nutritional needs, and lifestyle. This involves conducting an in-depth health assessment, which includes reviewing medical history, dietary habits, and lifestyle factors such as stress, sleep, and physical activity, as well as addressing current health concerns. Information is also gathered about the individual’s goals and motivations for seeking nutritional support, such as managing pain, increasing energy, or improving digestion.
Our sessions are designed to develop a personalized nutrition and lifestyle plan tailored to the individual’s specific needs and health goals, based on time-tested principles and the latest scientific discoveries. These sessions focus on creating a customized nutrition plan that features whole, nutrient-dense foods, suitable herbs, and, if needed, targeted supplementation. In addition, guidance is provided on improving lifestyle habits, including enhancing sleep quality, managing stress, and incorporating regular exercise. Adjustments will be made as necessary to better align with the individual’s evolving needs.
We will work with you to develop a long-term strategy to keep you healthy and resilient to repeat injuries.
Designed as a starter program for individuals with minimal health challenges, aiming to help you establish healthy habits and get on the right track.
Designed for individuals with more complex symptoms and dysfunctions, providing a more in-depth approach to addressing and managing health challenges.
Functional Labs: Available at an additional cost to be added onto any package for a more detailed analysis of your health, providing comprehensive insights and enhancing the personalization of your plan.
From two convenient locations, Arpella Health is committed to providing accessible, top-quality care. Our Arnold office, perfectly situated for easy access via Route 2 Ritchie Highway, is now joined by our recently opened second office, expanding our ability to serve the community more effectively. Visit us at either location for personalized and expert health services.
