I've had a number of excellent primary physicians in the past, but my first visit to Dr. Safayan was truly exceptional. His holistic approach which treats mental and emotional health as directly linked to overall physical health is unique - it's a 2-part visit in which the first visit is about the patient getting to know Dr. Safayan's practice and answering questions related to their health history. The second (which I haven't had yet) is where the actual physical exam takes place. But I felt compelled to submit a review now - have you ever had a medical professional ask you exactly the right questions in such a way as to help you understand the basis of your health concerns (physical or otherwise)? I've had more than a few mental health professionals in my medical history, and no one has ever been as perceptive and astute in helping me better understand my health situation as this one visit with Dr. Safayan. I look forward to the second visit , and to getting a better handle on my health needs than I've had in a very long time. read more

This office is outstanding. The staff is kind and helpful; Dr. Safayan is a an amazing physician, caring, thoughtful, takes his time, and provides excellent medical advice. I feel lucky to have found this office. read more

If it wasn't for Dr. Threlkel I'd likely be far sicker than I was a year ago when I went to her after multiple specialists. She's thorough, attentive, very knowledgeable, and provides options for me based on my comfort level. She explains test results, medications/supplements so I have a thorough understanding of whats happening in my body and how she recommends we fix it. I don't feel like I'm being talked down to by a "medical professional" who knows my body better than I do and is trying to jam medicine down my throat. I was having severe digestive issues, my hormones were a mess, I was severely fatigued. At the time, I was diagnosed with Chron's disease and PCOS, and was prescribed immunosuppressants and diabetes medication (without any blood tests indicating I had a blood sugar issue). Instead of taking those meds, I saw Dr. Threlkel. I had tests done, which she explained, and she recommended a safe and natural approach to my healing. Less than a year later I'm 100% better: no digestive issues - definitely not Chron's, better sleep and energy, regular menstruation. I'm so so grateful for this practice and Dr. Threlkel's expertise. Highly recommend! read more

Dr Safayan is an exceptional integrative GP! I highly recommend him and his practice, which is like no other that I've visited. I have been seeing him for 3 decades now, and he has helped me address a number of health issues over the years. Even though I've moved hours away a couple of years ago, I make the trip in to see him. I can't say enough about how fortunate I feel to have him as my physician. read more

Doctors Safayan is the most comprehensive position I have ever had. He is up-to-date, kind and thorough. His office staff matches his standard. read more

First of all, Dr. Safayan deserves 10 stars, not just 5! He is EXTREMELY knowledgeable, and really takes his time and spends a lot of time with the patient. you actually see and talk to a doctor the whole time. It's not like seeing a medical assistant the whole time and the doc breezing in for 10 seconds and leaving! His front desk on the other hand is a TOTAL DISSASTER!!! they don't even deserve negative stars. There were not just once or twice, but 10+ times that even though I took an afternoon off work to see him, they called me right before an appointment to cancel! There is always a minimum of 1 hour wait at each appointment! seriously, what are appointments for then? after you wait in the waiting room for 45 minutes they call your name, and then another 45 min wait in the doctors room is just unreasonable. despite the entire front desk mess, I would still trust dr. safayan 100% and I think he is def. worth the wait. and I am most def. willing to revise my review to a 5 star if his front desk staff put their $#% together! read more

I had been looking for an acupuncturist since I moved to DC. Since I lived close, I decided to try Restorative health. BAD CHOICE. I have never in my life experienced such bad service- I have never had a doctor be so rude, insulting, or so mean to me. I will never, ever go back. After ordering thousands of dollars of useless tests (he is a perfect example of what is wrong with our health care system), he insisted on several visits before even thinking about acupuncture and acted as if everything was my fault. I have no idea why he decided to be a doctor if he dislikes people so much. read more

They are probably really good, I just wish they'd answer or call me back after contacting them 3 times.

After suffering a rare sternoclavicular joint subluxation/dislocation from a rugby tackle, I thought I had lost all hope. Before turning to surgery, I decided to give prolotherapy a try and found Dr. Safayan. Of all the doctors I visited, Dr. Safayan was the only one who understood the problem and had a strategy to fix it. From my first appointment, Dr. Safayan clearly explained how my shoulder muscles were overcompensating for the joint instability and worked with me to pinpoint the sources of pain. After a few sessions, the muscle tension in my shoulder and neck had dramatically subsided. I regained a full range of motion in my arm without the constant aches and pain from before. I won't hesitate to turn to Dr. Safayan should anything else come up in the future. Dr. Safayan and the Restorative Health team always treat me with the upmost care and professionalism. I cannot recommend Restorative Health enough, they truly changed my life for the better. read more

What a bummer. I'd been looking for a naturopathic doctor since I moved to DC. I finally found a seemingly good one and they turn out to be sketchy as all hell. Yikes. Dr. Safayan seemed really nice at first. He listened to my health concerns and recommended some bloodwork which he quoted me $3000 for. I told him I didn't think my insurance would pay for it. He said they could send it to their "discount lab" which would only be $1300 but that I'd have to pay it out of pocket without sending it to my insurance company. I naively and happily did so, only to find out months later that the lab only charged them a tiny fraction of that $1300 and it was the same lab they normally use (Quest Diagnostics). At this point, standard (legal) procedure for a doctor's office is to send you/your insurance company the difference between quoted and actual charges. Restorative Health didn't even tell me there was a difference! I had to call the lab myself to find out, and if I hadn't, I would never have known. I feel bad for every other one of Dr. Safayan's patients because I doubt they think to do this. It wouldn't have crossed my mind if my mom hadn't smelled something fishy with the whole "discount lab" story. So at first they refused to credit me the difference, then all of a sudden they "received a check from the lab" and were eager to credit me. Seriously?? This is just a horrible practice. The guy should have his license revoked. Icing on the cake: I went in to pick up my medical records the other day so I could bring them to a specialist I was seeing. They said they couldn't email them and then they charged me $20 to print them out. (Hi. I've seen a printer before. You're not fooling anybody. A whole ream of paper doesn't even cost $20.) I'll get over it. I just can't help but worry that there might be patients with serious medical conditions who are blindly forking money over to this guy, only to be completely exploited. What a scam. read more

Dr. Safayan (MD) is fantastic. He spends more time with you than any other doctor and he is incredibly thorough. He looks at the big picture. I had been to various specialists for years with chronic health complaints and after only a few visits Dr. Safayan had discovered diagnoses, using conventional methods, that other doctors had neglected to even do the work to find. He is incredibly caring and compassionate. His integration of modern conventional medicine with the more holistic perspective of natural medicine is highly recommended. He also accepts some common insurance plans like Blue Cross. I will agree with some other reviewers that his timeliness isn't always great, but I think it's because he will spend the amount of time necessary with each patient instead of rushing them out the door. Dr. Threlkel is also very good (most insurance doesn't cover her, but she does provide thorough documentation for those who have the option for partial reimbursement, and I was able to save some money with a health savings account). She was able to discover further diagnoses that again, conventional specialists could not. For over a decade I had a chronic cough, overactive bladder and digestive issues, all of which have gone away due to the docs' diagnoses of food and environmental allergies and intestinal parasites. The integrative and naturopathic docs also discovered that my thyroid function was NOT normal despite what conventional docs had told me - all because they did multiple specific thyroid tests instead of just the one general test that is most commonly used in the conventional medical world. Dr. Windsor (the health coach/nutrition consultant) is good, too, and she was very helpful to me when I first started navigating all my new diagnoses. Her positive energy is a huge asset, for one thing, and she is flexible and very knowledgeable about food intolerances and nutrition for wellness. Some of her other information is not really evidence-driven, unfortunately, but definitely her food advice is golden. All three doctors were willing to tailor some of their recommendations and appointment frequency to my limited finances, to a certain degree, which was helpful. They also were willing to work with my primary care doctor and recommend I see conventional specialists when appropriate. The rest of the staff was always kind and helpful. I highly recommend this place to anyone who has gone to conventional specialists for years without much improvement in their health, particularly if you keep hearing "oh, but your _____ and ____ are working fine, we don't know why you feel the way you do..." VALIDATION is something they give wholeheartedly, and they will ask the questions that many conventional docs were never even trained to ask, and think about your whole body and mind instead of just isolating one body part or system from the other. I'm very glad I took the chance on integrative and naturopathic medicine. read more

Dr. Ali Safayon and Dr. Karen Threkel are terrific. Their practice is built on the idea of sustaining health or returning one to health. "Restorative Health the practice of integrative medicine involves the collaboration of practitioners trained in specific therapeutic methods while recognizing the synergistic benefit of multiple techniques. (website)" What I like about these doctors is that they work in collaboration. They do not overbook appointments so you don't wait and you get the attention you may need given your situation. Rarely do you find doctors who work with the whole system in mind and that will try many different modalities to restore you to health. Restorative Health doctors do that. Give them a try. read more

Annie Miller, a therapist who works in this office, is not someone I'd recommend working with. At times empathetic, she also was deeply invalidating. She told me she would not validate the abuse I experienced. One of the meanest things a therapist could say. Her pricing is flexible. Her compassion is at times lacking. Making your patient feel guilty is mean. Denying my pain and abuse was cruel and unnecessary. Annie was confusing in communicating her needs and boundaries, making being her patient stressful. Do not recommend. read more

Dr. Safayan is a rare breed in today's healthcare system. He actually pays attention, listens to everything you say, and gives you a lot of time. When was the last time you had a doctor sit and talk to you for more than 10-15 minutes? He'll give you his time and has great bedside manner. I would highly recommend him and his team. read more

Dr Safayan was initially recommended to me by a colleague about 7 years ago. I had a physical with him around that time and was happy with my experience. (He was actually the very first doctor to hear my heart murmur -- and having played competitive sports for years, I've had it listened to quite a bit.) However, I infrequently go to the "regular doctor" so my relationship with him dropped off since I rarely get sick. It had been 7 years since I had a physical and I felt it was also time to develop a relationship with a doctor who would manage my care into the future. I knew I wouldn't find a physician as thorough and thoughtful as Dr Safayan so I scheduled a consult. He has his patients fill out a medical history before the initial visit. Why other doctors don't do this is beyond me. Instead of trying to quickly tell the doctor these things in 1 minute at the beginning of the appointment, he has your story in a comprehensive form and is ready to discuss your concerns right off the bat. Upon submission of my form, Dr Safayan requested my other doctors send him my records so he could have an even better picture of my health before my appointment. I can't begin to express how impressed I was that not only was he familiar with my report and records, but he also made copies of them for me. He explained things to me from my other doctors' records that weren't expressed to me when I saw those doctors themselves! Needless to say, he was prepared for our consult, and after our discussion, he filled out the appropriate info for my blood tests. I had my blood drawn and made an appointment for the actual physical. During the exam, Dr Safayan's demeanor was professional yet easy-going so it's easy to talk to him and ask him questions. After the exam, we went over the blood test results and discussed options for managing my care. Again, he had made copies of my results for me, including the notes he took during our review of them. I scheduled a follow up appoint for a few months later and am looking forward to it. If you're looking for a doctor to just write you a prescription for antibiotics and have it done with, this is not the doctor. I'm bemused that somebody would be upset that their doctor is thorough and would actually want to see them before beginning a treatment they self-prescribed for something they self-diagnosed. Also in my experience, Dr Safayan has never ordered unnecessary testing or tried to sell me on any products and services. (Note that the negative reviews don't give any specifics or examples of the "thousands of dollars of useless tests" or any of the other claims.) In short, Dr Safayan has by far been the most thorough and thoughtful physician I've seen. His approach is to get to the root of any health issues and then to treat them sensibly as possible. I'm looking forward to having him manage my care for a long time. read more

Dr. Safayan is one of the most compassionate physicians I have ever met. He strives to treat me from a holistic perspective using evidence based literature to support his medical practice. His goal is to completely restore my health as opposed to treating my sicknesses individually. Dr. Threlkel is extremely knowledgeable in the field of MTHFR deficiency and had designed a program to decrease my inflammation and improve my health. I am very thankful that I found this practice and have recommended them to all of my friends and family! read more

I went back for my annual visit and I still feel the same satisfaction I felt with both Dr. Safayan and Dr. Threlkel. Their sincere, honest care is just what I needed. And to think that I live all the way in Los Angeles. I couldn't be more bummed. But even from afar, both doctors are very attentive and sensitive towards all of my medical and naturopathic needs. I highly recommend them. Their friendship and professionalism is the best I have seen. read more

I have been suffering from neck and lower back pain for 4 years prior to visiting Dr. Safayan's Office. I was getting steroid injections to alleviate the pain every 5-6 months. I started my acupuncture therapy with Restorative Health about a year ago and my pain has significantly decreased since my first visit. No more steroids injections for me! The Office is clean and the Staff is professional and accommodating to my needs. I'm extremely satisfied with the care Dr. Safayan has provided me! read more

I initially went to Dr. Safayan because he is one of the few doctors who performs prolotherapy in DC. I have a terribly arthritic knee. While the injections that I received from my orthopedist helped, they merely "oil" the joint. They do not repair it which means that i have to get another series of injections every 7 months or so. The idea behind prolotherapy is to irritate the joint and stimulate the body to repair the damage. There were several things about Dr. Safayan that impressed me during my initial visit. First, he spent 45 minutes with me. No orthopedist ever spent more than 10 minutes. Second, he had clearly read the medical information on the forms that I filled out. Let's face it. How many doctors not only read it, but ask questions about what they read? Third, he asked me some general health questions, even though I was there for my knee. And some of the questions were things that my internist never explored with me. I immediately decided that I was going to have Dr. Safayan perform my next physical. Restorative Health promotes both traditional and alternative medicine and I will be very interested in what he has to say after my physical. I went back to get the prolotherapy injections. Once again, he devoted a substantial amount of time both treating my knee and answering my questions. I went back today for my second round of injections. Amazingly, my knee had responded so well to the first injections that he advised waiting to see if it continued to feel good before undergoing another series of shots. And this was despite the fact that he had set aside an hour for my appointment. Bottom line--Dr. Safayan is what you want in your doctor. Smart, inquisitive, thorough, patient, and open to a variety of treatment options. I cannot recommend him highly enough. read more

I was scheduled for a 12 PM appointment and arrived 15 minutes early to complete my new patient paperwork. Staff was friendly. After about 25 minutes PAST my appointment time, I inquired as to whether I would be seen today. I was told, the doctor is running late and will be with you shortly. Ten minutes after that discussion, I was still in the patient waiting area. After an hour of waiting with no follow-up I decided that was enough. I attempted to reschedule my appointment at the front desk then realized that "THIS" my happen again. The young lady at the front desk apologized. The doctor came into the area while I was having a discussion and didn't say anything to me. I can't really "rate" this practice because I didn't get seen. What I am rating them on is the lack of professionalism showed to me. Would I attempt to g back? No, I think I'll take my chances else where. I understand things happens, all I ask is the same courtesy I show by arriving early for my appointment be extended to me. read more

I highly recommend Restorative Health, a practice that bridges the knowledge and intricacies of Eastern and Western approaches to health care. In addition to being an excellent internist and preeminent acupuncturist, Dr. Safayan is a masterful teacher who takes your questions seriously. My visits often seem like master classes as he takes time to help you understand what is going on in the body when you are unwell. You are a validated partner in the process of your health care rather than a patient whose health is under the management of an indifferent outsider. I have benefited a great deal from acupuncture and prolotherapy has healed a chronic shoulder problem. The other partner on my health care team, Dr. ThrelkeI brings a thorough understanding of naturopathy and kind, gentle approach to the process of health care. She combines a deep understanding of how genetics and epigenetics affect health and has recommended supplements that address our specific needs. My husband's chronic, degenerative disease has not progressed as was predicted by the neurologist because of the care he has received by both doctors at Restorative Health. Too much of health care is a Pharmaggedon. Drs Safayan and Threlkel are truly committed to restoring you to health and giving you the tools to be an active participant in maintaining your health. This is a rare find. read more

I was quite disappointed with my recent visit to Restorative Health. I had high hopes of finding some improvement and perhaps if I had an extra 600 dollars to spare, I might (or might not) have been able to see some results. Perhaps I am frustrated after already spending so much money trying to heal my IT band injury. Nevertheless, for the $120 dollars I paid, I would have expected more of a massage. I just had surgery and the operation cost me less than I would have had to pay for the myofacial "special discount" package. Sure, you could take the risk and spend hundreds hoping and praying that in a few more sessions, you will find relief but it may not happen. In my case, I have tried everything to cure this injury and I could no longer afford hundreds of dollars to risk if it did not work, especially since after one session where I felt no difference. read more

It's such a disappointment when you are really looking forward to something and your experience is, well, horrible. After researching this practice I showed up for my apoointment and waited an hour. Strange becasue the place wasn't crowded at all. When I finally got to see Dr. Safayan he seemed cold, unattentive and curt. I had the initial check-up, got the supplements recommended and some test he ordered. Thinking it was just me, I went back for a follow-up. Only a 30 minute wait but the doctor just never warmed up. He just seemed bored during the whole appointment and I felt like I was keeping him from something more important. There's just not a good energy in the place. read more

The office is very efficient and makes you feel welcome. I was brought in to the exam room in a very timely manner. Everyone in the office is very kind, I highly recommend to anyone who wants top quality care in a great environment read more

Completely spontaneous, unsolicited feedback: Dr. Safayan is an ideal combination of intelligent M.D. (general practitioner/internal medicine) and holistic-natural medicine wisdom (also an accupuncturist). Because of that combination, you get the best of both worlds (aka: a 'well-balanced', "wise" M.D. that will truly "do no harm" in the investigation and treatment of whatever is the patient's medical conundrum). It also comes across that he genuinely actually cares about your well-being, as opposed to viewing a patient as just a number on a list or just another cow in the cattle herd or just seeing dollar signs. Some doctors come across as very "calculating" or on the "close-minded" side or on a bit of an ego-tripped highhorse, or woefully clueless as to the roots of why the body gets into a state of illness and what symptoms reflect and how its all interconnected (along with the mind), instead they just treat symptoms with a temporary band-aid of the latest prescription drugs. Dr. Safayan, on the other hand, is low key, down to earth, has a sense of humor ,is in earnest, and understands how everything interconnects--recognizes how the pieces fit into the overall picture. If you're looking for a well-balanced, sensible doctor to be your general practitioner, definitely a thumbs up on Dr. Safayan. One last observation: I really like the front desk /administrative staff here. They're like really together, really nice, kind and down to earth and professional at the same time-- a great reflection on the office. read more

I'm very lucky that I found Dr. Safayan about 9 years ago. He does his best at finding out the cause of the problem instead of immediately giving a prescription to treat the symptoms. On my recent visit he successfully diagnosed me with the urological problem, when urologists could not figure out what was going on. He made me a believer in alternative methods too. My torn meniscus was completely cured by prolotherapy. He also treated me for severe fish allergy that I had since I was one-year-old. Every time I eat fish at home or at a restaurant now I'm amazed at the results. read more

Interesting holistic view of healthcare. A good diagnostician for sure. Not a fuzzy person. He gives you the information you need and you have to adhere to it. In his great favor, he takes insurance. This speaks to him extremely well. He is not just about the almighty dollar as he could be making much more money being a boutique doc. For this I respect him greatly. read more

If you suffer from migraine headaches and are seeking preventive treatment, I highly recommend a visit with Dr. Safayan at Restorative Health in Washington, DC. Significant muscle tension in the neck and upper back is a contributing factor in my migraines, so reducing this tension is an important part of migraine prevention for me. I've heard from family and friends that the efficacy of acupuncture treatment seems to vary widely depending on practitioner you visit. Dr. Safayan practices and teaches acupuncture, so I felt he would be an expert. The migraine acupuncture treatment definitely helped. Dr. Safayan orders extensive blood analysis and takes a thorough medical history, seeking the root cause of the migraines. If you want to end the cycle of constantly taking asprin, Zomig, Imitrex, etc. and suffering all of the side effects, you owe it to yourself to visit Restorative Health's Dr. Safayan. read more

I read some of the negative reviews on here and was shocked! Dr. Safayan is amazing. I drive 2 hours to see him twice a year. I have been a patient of his for three years and he manages my hypothyroidism and whatever else comes up. My father and daughter are now patients as well. A smart patient who educates themselves and is open to alternatives will be the best match for him. That's what I wanted, a Dr who is educated in multiple modalities. He gets to the bottom of issues and doesn't just prescribe something to help symptoms. Sometimes you have to wait a bit to see him, but the time he spends with you is worth it. If you just want a quick fix, don't waste his time. Find another Dr. read more