VOLODYMYR BERSENIEV: The task of a doctor is to help people live

Volodymyr Berseniev / Photo from a personal archive

SHORT PROFILE

Name: Volodymyr Berseniev

Date of Birth: October 26, 1945

Place of Birth: Kuressaare, Estonia

Profession: Honored Doctor of Ukraine, neurologist of the highest category

President of the Ukrainian Association of the Club of Rome and Corresponding Member of the World Academy of Art and Science Viktor Halasiuk had the privilege of speaking with the prominent Ukrainian doctor Volodymyr Andriyovych Berseniev, a neurologist of the highest category, Honored Doctor of Ukraine, and author of more than a hundred medical books. Their previous conversation was recorded for Huxley’s «Conversation with a Scientist» series in the year when his medical center in Kyiv celebrated its 30th anniversary. That summer, the center welcomed its 100,000th patient, and on October 26, Volodymyr Andriyovych himself celebrated his 80th birthday. A jubilee year — in every sense.

Viktor Halasiuk: You worked in Switzerland for a long time. What impressed you the most there, in both positive and negative ways?

Volodymyr Berseniev: In the 1990s, I worked both in Switzerland and in Ukraine — one week here, three weeks in Geneva. That went on for 12 years. At that time, Geneva was truly the capital of medicine. I was impressed by the level of equipment, organization, and technology. But at the same time, I always wanted to work in Ukraine. And I am happy that I was able to build my own medical center right here in Kyiv.

V. H.: Tell us a little about your medical center. What makes it special?

V. B.: This year, the Berseniev Medical Center marks its 30th anniversary. For Ukraine, that is a long time and a great responsibility. We have not only endured — we have grown, overcome difficulties, and built a school. Our success lies in the team. It is a true family — united by knowledge, faith in the method, and love for the profession. There are no random people here — from doctor to administrator. We really are a «family clinic»: we treat generations. 100,000 patients — from five-day-old infants to a woman aged 99. I value most of all — trust.

V. H.: Can Ukraine today compete with Europe in terms of medical standards?

V. B.: Ukraine is already showing impressive progress. Yes, for now, our equipment and funding are not at the level of Switzerland or Germany. But we have the most important thing — doctors with great hearts. Many achieve brilliant results even in difficult conditions. There are also patients who live abroad but come here for treatment — because they know: here, they will receive care that is high-quality, prompt, and heartfelt. I always say: the task of a doctor is to help people live.

V. H.: What percentage of people in the world suffer from back pain?

V. B.: In fact, it is an extremely common complaint. Approximately 90% of the adult population of the Earth has experienced back pain at least once in their lives. And about 10–15% suffer from chronic pain that flares up periodically. According to WHO data, lower back pain is the No. 1 cause of temporary disability in the world. The most affected are people aged 30 to 60. The causes include a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, and stress. And, of course, the habit of carrying heavy loads since childhood.

V. H.: And how many patients who are prescribed surgery actually need it?

V. B.: Only 5–10% of patients with an intervertebral disc hernia truly require surgery. The remaining 90–95% are successfully treated with conservative methods. In our center, for example, only 1–2% of patients are referred for surgery. The key is a comprehensive approach. Everything must be in the correct order and combination. That is exactly how metameric technologies work — a method I developed and continue to improve together with my students.

V. H.: Could you please explain what metameric technologies are?

V. B.: In short, metameric reflexotherapy has an impact on specific areas of the body using special preparations that stimulate the restoration of nerve cells, their reflex, sensory, and trophic functions. The essence of the method is simple: to restore the lost potential of nerve tissue, create conditions for its proper functioning, and prevent future relapses. The goal is not only to relieve pain but to get to the root cause and eliminate it.

V. H.: What problems do you see in the younger generation?

V. B.: Today, we have a generation with bowed heads — children who spend hours staring at screens. From this comes «computer neck», headaches, dizziness, and deterioration of memory and vision. It has already become a kind of epidemic. If the situation doesn’t change, the consequences could be serious — even strokes at a young age.

V. H.: How much do spinal diseases «cost» the global economy?

V. B.: I haven’t thought about the exact figures, but I know for sure: prevention is always cheaper and more effective than treatment.

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V. H.: What myth about back pain do you hear most often?

V. B.: The most common one is that «a disc has slipped out» and needs to be «put back in place». That’s not true. A disc cannot slip out — it’s elastic. But it can bulge out in the form of a hernia or protrusion. That’s when the nerve root gets compressed, and that is what causes the pain.

V. H.: How can people be taught to take care of their health before they lose it?

V. B.: I would like health care to become a habit, like brushing your teeth. But it’s difficult, because in our culture it’s not customary to talk about weakness. What’s needed:

#1 Education from childhood. If a child understands why movement, sleep, water, and calm matter, they will grow up respecting their body.

#2 Positive motivation. People shouldn’t be scared of illnesses — they should be inspired.

#3 Personal example. When you see a doctor who lives in harmony, it’s more convincing than any lecture.

Health must become a value, a lifestyle, a culture.

V. H.: How do you see medicine 30 years from now?

V. B.: I want to believe that medicine will become smarter, more humane, and more effective. And I am doing everything possible to contribute to that — even now, learning something new every day.

V. H.: If you could patent one principle of health, what would it be?

V. B.: Probably, «Listen to your body — and act in time». Most problems arise when we ignore its signals. And the body always warns us — sometimes years before the illness.

V. H.: What advice would you give to young doctors and researchers?

V. B.: Don’t be lazy, don’t give up, and always strive for more. Knowledge is the foundation. Without it, there can be no medicine.

V. H.: What qualities define a true scientist?

V. B.: Curiosity, critical thinking, perseverance, honesty, and creativity. Because a true scientist is not just someone who «knows,» but someone who seeks the truth, who is not afraid of doubts or new paths. Sometimes you fall, but what matters is getting up and continuing.

V. H.: What motivates you to keep working?

V. B.: People. My team. My patients. I feel genuine joy when I see someone recover. For each patient, I prepare an individual «booklet» — an annual rehabilitation program. I draw a diagram of the diagnosis and describe everything in detail. And I know: those who truly want to recover — do recover. The medical profession requires constant learning and movement. I pass on my knowledge to my students — the doctors of our center. And at the same time, I learn from them, because medicine today is not what it used to be.

V. H.: And finally: what does being healthy mean to you?

V. B.: For me, being healthy means being happy. I like to repeat the five principles of the samurai: appetite, sleep, morning bowel movement, desire to work, and a sense of humor. I ask my patients to evaluate these points — and I can already see where to begin their path to recovery.

V. H.: And how do you see the future of Ukraine?

V. B.: The future lies in knowledge, medicine, and science. A country is not its walls — it is its people. If we invest our efforts in education, culture, and health, we will be a strong nation. Ukrainians are resilient, hardworking, and intelligent. We will not just survive — we will rise. But not through slogans — through the honest, daily work of each person.

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