Naturopathic support for complex chronic illness
Dr. Sonya Arrigo, ND is a registered naturopathic doctor in Ontario who supports patients living with complex chronic illness, including long COVID, ME/CFS, POTS, mould and damp exposure, and mast cell activation, in person in Leaside, Toronto, and by video anywhere in Ontario. Care starts with a detailed history and a careful look at your existing test results, then a gradual, personalised plan covering nutrition, nutrient status, sleep, energy pacing, and symptom support, coordinated with your family doctor and specialists. Complex illness usually improves in steps over months, not weeks.
Common symptoms
Fatigue that rest doesn't fit
Feeling worse a day or two after physical or mental effort
Dizziness, racing heart, or near-fainting when you stand up
Brain fog, trouble concentrating, or word-finding problems
Unrefreshing sleep
Flushing, hives, or reactions to foods, smells, or heat
Digestive symptoms, headaches, or widespread aches
Symptoms that began after an infection, a move, or water damage at home
What is complex chronic illness?
Complex chronic illness is an umbrella term for long-lasting conditions that affect several body systems at once and often don't show up clearly on standard tests. Many people see multiple specialists, collect a list of "normal" results, and still feel unwell. These conditions frequently overlap: POTS, mast cell activation, and joint hypermobility often appear together, and long COVID can include features of ME/CFS and POTS. Feeling dismissed is common. Your symptoms are real, even when the explanation is still being worked out.
Conditions I commonly support
Long COVID (post COVID-19 condition)
Symptoms that continue or develop three months or more after a COVID-19 infection, most often fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, and post-exertional symptoms.
ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome)
Profound fatigue with post-exertional malaise, a worsening of symptoms after effort that can last days. Careful energy pacing matters, and pushing through tends to backfire.
POTS and orthostatic intolerance
A large rise in heart rate on standing, with dizziness, fatigue, and brain fog. POTS is diagnosed by a physician with a stand test or tilt-table test, and I work alongside that diagnosis.
Mould and damp exposure
Living or working in a water-damaged building is linked to respiratory symptoms and asthma, and many people also report fatigue and cognitive symptoms. The most important step is fixing the source of the moisture. Some tests marketed for "mould illness," such as urine mycotoxin panels, are not validated for diagnosis. I'll always explain what a test can and can't tell you before anything is ordered.
Mast cell activation (MCAS)
Episodes of flushing, hives, digestive upset, or reactions to foods, smells, or heat. Diagnostic criteria are still debated, so I work closely with your physician or allergist.
Hypermobility and post-infectious syndromes
Joint hypermobility, including hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, often overlaps with POTS and MCAS. Some people develop lasting symptoms after other infections, including post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome.
How I approach complex chronic illness
I start slowly, because people with complex illness are often sensitive to change. Your first visit is a detailed history: when things started, what makes symptoms better or worse, and what you've already tried. I review the tests you've already had before suggesting anything new, and I only order labs that will change the plan. Then we build a plan in small steps, so we can see what is actually helping. I coordinate with your family doctor and specialists throughout, and I'll tell you if something needs a referral.
What might be driving it
There's rarely a single cause. Common contributors include a triggering infection, changes in how the nervous system regulates heart rate and blood pressure, immune and mast cell activity, nutrient deficiencies such as low iron, B12, or vitamin D, disrupted sleep, deconditioning after a long illness, and environmental exposures like a damp home. Part of my work is helping you sort out which of these are most relevant for you.
What care might include
Depending on your situation, care may include: correcting nutrient deficiencies, energy pacing and a symptom diary, fluid and electrolyte strategies for POTS (coordinated with your physician), a lower-histamine eating trial where relevant, gut and sleep support, gentle and carefully graded activity when you're ready, and practical guidance on reducing moisture and mould at home. Treatment is always personalised, never a fixed protocol.
When to consider working with a naturopath
Consider booking if you've been unwell for months, have seen several practitioners without a clear plan, or want someone to help connect the pieces between your specialists. If you're newly unwell, please see your family doctor first, so that other causes can be ruled out.
Frequently asked questions
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Complex illness usually improves gradually and in steps. Many patients work with me over [6–12 months], with smaller, measurable changes, like better sleep or fewer crashes, often coming first.
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Yes. Virtual visits are available anywhere in Ontario and are often easier when energy is limited. We can also keep visits shorter and plan around your good and bad days.
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I'll discuss any test with you before ordering it, including what the evidence says about it, what it costs, and whether it would actually change your plan. Many specialty tests for mould and chronic illness aren't validated for diagnosis, and I'll be upfront about that.
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Go to the emergency department or call 911 for fainting with injury, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, a sudden severe headache, or signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as throat swelling or trouble breathing.
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Most extended health insurance plans in Ontario cover naturopathic visits. I'll provide receipts you can submit directly.
Related Care
This page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. If you have concerns about your mental or physical health, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.