Dr. Micheal P. Friedman, Owner, Sequoia Wellness
(Promotional Feature Check UP | Men’s Issue 25)
January 2006

Dr. Michael Friedman is a perfect example of someone who learns from his experience and then uses that knowledge to help others. At the age of 20, Dr. Friedman went to a chiropractor for back pain and also noticed improve-ments in other areas, such as digestive problems, headaches and TMJ difficulties. His experience confirrmed a philosophy of holistic healing that he was already starting to explore.

“I was inspired by the idea that with the proper treatment, the body could use its own innate ability to heal itself, without the use of drugs or surgery. I am passionate about helping people and saw this as a great approach to help others get healthy”
After obtaining a kinesiology degree from York University in Toronto, where he grew up, and a Doctor of Chiropractic from Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, Dr. Friedman brought his pas-sion to Vancouver. He opened his own practice, a small office that would grow into his vision of something bigger — his desire to provide integrative heal-ing that eventually led him to open his own multi-purpose health facility, the Sequoia Wellness Centre, which he runs with his wife, Elizabeth, a registered holistic nutritionist who also teaches yoga and Pilates.

Dr. Friedman chose the sequoia tree as his inspiration because it has become known on the West Coast as a symbol of longevity, strength, endurance and wisdom, due to its ability to overcome the stresses of daily life and live for thousands of years.

Promoting a wellness lifestyle, Sequoia Wellness Centre offers chiro-practic, massage, nutrition counselling, Pilates, yoga and, eventually, acupuncture and naturopathic services, all in one community of health. Having all these disciplines under one roof embodies Dr. Friedman’s commitment to providing health care in the most beneficial way possible.

It ensures that a person’s emotional and spiritual well-being is addressed, along with the physical. Classes, such as yoga and Pilates, are kept small to allow for very individual attention; the health care providers will know each other and be able to offer complementary services; and this unique integrative heal-ing approach will allow clients to set up appointments with any of the wellness providers with one phone call.

But Dr. Friedman’s positive influence is not just felt within the walls of his office. He is a strong advocate of community involvement and includes community outreach and education in his practice. He recognizes his responsi-bility to give back to the world and vol-unteers locally — for organizations such as SOS Children’s Village BC — as well as overseas — in places like Israel, with the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross, and in Peru, setting up chiropractic clin-ics for those without access to proper health care.

In fact, it’s been by growing his pres-ence in his community, by speaking with his neighbors and his clients, that he has learned how he can serve people best; and that has resulted in his focused vision for the future — keeping Vancouver healthy by encouraging a healthy body and healthy mind though a natural approach to health and wellness.

“Patients are more educated than ever and know what they want. I have learned from my patients that people want to be healthy and are looking for more natural ways to achieve this.”

Sequoia Wellness Centre provides a system for people to live better, have more fun and lead a healthy balanced and energetic lifestyle.

Visit Sequoia Wellness Centre at www.sequoiawellness.com.
MEN of Inspiration
Sequoia Wellness - Welcome to True Health
301 - 5455 West Blvd., Vancouver, BC V6M 3W5
P: (604) 676-0355 • F: (604) 676-0354 • www.sequoiawellness.com