It is very difficult to describe what Complementary and Alternative
Medicine is. I’ve been doing this for almost fifteen years, and I’m not much closer to a proper
explanation, so I’ve given up trying. Instead, I’m going to tell you what happens in my office,
and why I may be able to help you. 
I’m also going to tell you that I’m not your
average doctor. I will sit down with you and listen. The majority of all diagnoses are made by
listening to a patient. Tests and labs are used to confirm a diagnosis. The second thing you
should know about me is that I’m a smartass. We have a good time in my office. We will get to
the bottom of the problem and fix it, but I see no need to be an uptight stick-in-the-mud. If
you’re laughing, I’ll laugh with you. If you’re crying, I’ll be there for you. We’re going to be
spending some time together. We will get to know each other. Frequently, this is where the
‘golden nuggets’ of missing information come from. It is so important to find the missing
details of your history. Things you never thought to mention to anyone before. It is the ‘whole
picture’ of the patient that sets Complimentary and Alternative Medicine apart.
There are two things I can tell you about the types of patients I see. The first group is in pain. It doesn’t matter where really, I see it all. The second group doesn’t know where else to go, but were referred by someone I have helped.
Group One
Group Two
This is a phrase I hear almost daily, “I have been everywhere, and no one can tell me what is wrong. I’ve been to every doctor imaginable and had every test they can think of. I’ve spent a lot of time, a lot of money, and I’m no closer to a solution. Can you help me?” This is the second phrase I hear almost daily, “Thank you. What you are saying makes so much sense. No one else has been able to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Do you think you can help me?” The majority of the time, the answer is yes. If you have been everywhere else, and been poked and prodded by all of them, you’re probably not dying (although some by this point wish they were). You are amongst the many patients who fall through the cracks of ‘modern medicine’. I’m the guy that’s there to catch you. I have nothing bad to say about modern medicine… well maybe a little. Medication is like trying to hammer in a nail using a wrecking ball. There will be peripheral damage. Sometimes it is necessary, but most of the time, there’s another, less invasive way. Medications have side effects. People come in with lists of a dozen medications, half of which are needed to deal with the side effects of their other medications. I think this is ridiculous. Asking the proper questions about your symptoms leads to information about errors in your biochemistry (hormones, neurotransmitters, enzymes etc). This can usually be fixed using natural substances. This is called Nutritional Biochemistry, and it’s how I safely and naturally eliminate medication need, and fix the problem. Here’s the deal, no one can fix everything. When you can’t help, send them to someone who can.
Just because your problem hasn’t been identified by all those tests, does not mean that it 1) isn’t there, 2) can’t be identified and 3) can’t be fixed. Honestly, nothing irritates me more than hearing patients say that their doctors told them there was nothing that can be done, or it’s all in your head. It is often a bittersweet moment for patients when after having suffered for so long, I fix them in a matter of days. If you’ve made it this far, you may be thinking that I’m pretty full of myself. There may be some that agree with you (my wife included). But the next thing they’ll tell you is yes, he really is that good.
We weren’t given an Instruction Manual when we were born. You may think you are doing everything right, but if you are where you are, how’s that working for you? I’m the guy that can tell you what you’re missing.
Ok, genius, so how do you fix me?
One of my professors told me once, “Do the right thing at the right time, and miracles happen.”
“I have already seen a chiropractor/acupuncturist etc, and it didn’t work.” I don’t care. You haven’t seen someone who does it all, and you haven’t seen me. It is the inherent ability to look at a problem from a variety of views and specialties that makes the difference.
of Center For Alternative Medicine’s, wisdom and positive attitude helping me during my pregnancy giving me prenatal care. When I could not seem to get a minute of relief from heartburn, Dr. Leff immediately provided me with a supplement that had me heartburn free for the remainder of my pregnancy. At the end of my term, I was suffering from Gestational Hypertension and Dr. Leff was able to help me get some relief from the swelling when it seemed to be at its worst. Every time I visit with Dr. Leff is always a wonderful healing experience in an atmosphere that is most relaxing and full of “good feeling” energy; exactly what you want when pregnant. I would recommend Dr. Leff and staff to anyone looking for a bountiful well being experience.
Two years ago, my husband and I started trying to conceive. We were fortunate to achieve pregnancy on our first attempt. Unfortunately, we experienced two heartbreaking losses at 13 weeks and 6.5 weeks gestation. Devastated, I realized I hadn't been taking the best care of myself. Seeking a healthier path, I turned to Dr. Leff, my trusted healthcare provider. Through assessments, adjustments, and treatments, I embraced a holistic approach to well-being. In March 2009, I became pregnant again, filled with both joy and anxiety due to our previous losses. Throughout the pregnancy, I encountered various discomforts, from nausea to heartburn, but the nausea was the most challenging. During one of my visits to Dr. Leff, he attentively addressed my symptoms, providing relief within minutes. With his guidance, including suggestions, herbs, and ointments, I found relief from the nausea and continued my pregnancy journey. Dr. Leff's care and support were invaluable during this delicate time. Now, my son Dillon is 10 months old, a cherished blessing, and we're looking forward to expanding our family further. Dr. Leff remains an irreplaceable part of my healthcare journey.
for a chronic, painful, debilitating disease. He has provided me with ongoing, substantial relief from pain and we are working towards putting the disease into remission. Dr Leff is a phenomenal doctor due to his extensive training in multiple disciplines and many years of experience, but one of the things that really sets him apart is his ability to listen. His mind hears every word you say and he will often make a jump to something you hadn’t even thought about because you made an off-the-cuff comment. I consider myself lucky and blessed to have found Dr Leff.
I have seen Dr. Leff for multiple issues ranging from allergies, dislocated shoulders to recovery from a serious knee surgery. He has provided me with pain relief that I never believed I would have again after my injuries. Due to Dr. Leff’s care, I’m able to live a VERY active lifestyle pain free and I would go as far as stating that due to his care I have avoided additional injury. Dr. Leff has also treated several members of my family and they all have gotten relief from him that other doctors could not provide. In the medical profession it is a rare quality for a doctor to take a call from a patient after hours much less actually see the patient but Dr. Leff has provided that service to myself and my family, that is the type of care sets Dr. Leff apart from other doctors. I rely on Michael’s care to continue my active lifestyle and I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Leff to anyone looking for a doctor to provide the utmost quality medical care.
Dr. Micheal Leff is nothing but the BEST here in the Valley of Sun. I have had Dr. Leff work with me one many different health aspects. From Severe Back pain to Ecoli. He has always been fantastic!!! The care I have recieved has always exceeded my expectations. I can count on Mike to take the time and explain the medical aspects of the treatments in a way I can understand. I have recomended Dr. Leff in the past and I will continue to do so. It’s rare to find someone as caring and confident as Mike. Dr. Leff is not only a great guy but an AWESOME Physian!!!!!!! I have nothing without my health. Dr. Leff gives me the care and treatments I need to stay healthy and have better quality of life.
In addition to being most positive, supportive, and encouraging, he is a most knowledgeable and dedicated medical professional. I was referred to Dr. Leff by one of the parents of a student to whom I provided professional educational consulting services. My back problem originated over 40 years ago from playing college football at Duke University. Dr. Leff methodically addressed the tension-related symptoms, alleviated pressure on the problem area discs, and successfully eliminated pain with just a few acupuncture treatments. I have not had a back-related injury or setback for over 2 1/2 years. In addition, blood pressure, blood sugar, and irregular heartbeat problems have all been treated successfully as well. Continual sessions (1-2 times per month) with Dr. Leff have proven to be most cost effective because I discovered that conventional (non-alternative) visits to my regular doctor in the past have lead, and would only lead, to more costly…
When I came to him, I was unable to digest food properly and was at wit’s end – no one had been able to help me. Through a variety of therapies and an incredible amount of patience, he has changed my life. Today I can eat whatever I want. Dr. Leff has helped me with other issues large and small, making my life exponentially better.
This guy is amazing. Started seeing Dr Leff for the treatment of migraines. He has not only helped ease my migraines through acupuncture and adjustments, but he has also helped with my overall well-being. Dr Leff takes the time to get to know his patients on a personal level. I have never felt rushed in his care, nor have I ever had the tremendous wait times so familiar at other doctor’s offices…and BONUS…his treatments really WORK! Thanks Dr Leff, you are quite simply, THE BEST!
I was going to see my regular doctor because I thought I had broken my toe. I was urged to see Dr. Leff first and he was able to diagnose that it was NOT broken and treat it with acupuncture. There was almost instant relief from teh pressure! It healed in just a few days! Thanks Dr. Leff!!
No other doctor has taken the time to get to know me or understand what I needed. I’ve had migraines for over 20 years and he is the first doctor who has actually made them better and no prescriptions… He has also helped with nutrition and chiropractic treatments… It’s amazing everything he can do!
who suffered a neck and back injury approximately four years ago. Since that time, I have experienced significant pain and numbness in my neck, back, and right arm. An MRI revealed damage to some of the discs in my neck and upper back. My doctor prescribed painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy. However, after several months of these “western” treatments, I had no improvement. Finally, after dealing with this issue for approximately four years, I found Dr. Michael Leff. Dr. Leff evaluated my medical records and conducted a physical examination, after which he determined that much of my pain was likely due to a problem with my upper ribs, not a disc herniation. After just two visits to Dr. Leff, wherein he treated me with acupuncture and chiropractic adjustments, the majority of my pain subsided. It has now been over six months since Dr. Leff treated my neck/back, and I have not felt better in four years. I am enjoying a life that is far more pain-free than it has been in a long time. I do not hesitate to recommend my family and friends to Dr. Leff.
When you manipulated my big toe last week you eliminating pain there that has been badgering me for a year! It is fantastic – does not hurt any more…wow! Thank you so much. I’ll come back again in a few weeks but at the moment this foot is feeling great and way better that it has for a long time!
This thank you is so much later than I would have liked but there will be many more to come as we truly cannot express just how thankful we are to you. Your Care and Compassion that you have towards your patients goes above the top x1000 (times a thousand….) There are very few people in this world that are gifts to the rest of us… And, without saying, the world is a much better place with you in it… We were lost souls in a sinking ship when we met you… We were floundering, breathless, and at the end of our rope. Thank you for being a gift to mankind and our life preserver when we needed it most… We look forward to seeing you soon. And of course…. May the Force be with You!
