Want healthier skin? Want a healthier Mind? They’re connected.
Meet Toronto Naturopath Dr. Kristen Ma, ND
My Approach
It starts with you.
One principle that runs consistently through all Asian medicine is that we must be specific and individualized. This means acne cannot be treated the same way for everyone. Did you know that there are many types of acne? And eczema? And that each needs to be treated differently?
This is why I became so familiar with hormonal imbalances, digestive ailments and nervous system conditions.
They all had a huge impact on skin, making it even more important to deeply understand each of my patients’ constitutions.
We will go through each of your systems methodically, auditing your health status.
Our plans are deliberate and strategic. Like peeling the layers of an onion, our goal is to get at the root cause of your health imbalance and understand how to address it for the long haul.
I’ll be honest, if you’re looking for a miracle pill or magic cream, I am not the practitioner for you.
I take a proactive approach, instead of quick-fixes or short-term solutions that merely suppress symptoms.
Cutting Through The Overwhelm
I found my own search for health exasperating. It felt like everyone had different opinions about what was good and bad.
I felt like I couldn’t put anything in my mouth or follow any regimen without second-guessing myself.
Simply going through daily habits became overwhelming.
Working with patients, I hope to make my own hard-won knowledge available as a tool and a resource for those who are interested in holistic, natural medicine.
Naturopathic Medicine Explained
Naturopathic doctors use a collection of natural methods to thoughtfully treat your skin and body. The foundation of this medicine is to look at you holistically in order to find the root cause of your health dysfunctions.
For instance, when treating skin conditions like Acne, Rosacea and Eczema, I often treat previously unexplored areas such as your hormonal system, blood, digestion or emotional health for real, long term change.
Naturopathic sessions may include acupuncture, herbal medicine and nutritional; supplements, dietary consultation, and changes to your life habits.
Plans are based on findings from your health history, biochemistry, physical examinations and can involve specified laboratory tests.
Naturopathy can always be used in conjunction with conventional, allopathic medicine combining both strategies for your wellness goals.
Many extended insurance/health benefit plans cover Naturopathic Medicine and receipts for these are always provided.
Learn more about how naturopathy can help you enjoy optimal health and vitality with a complimentary 15-minute intro meeting.
Real Holistic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine is not simply about swapping in supplements for pharmaceutical drugs. Good Naturopathic Medicine looks at your whole system, treating you through a lens that sees you as a complex human being. Clinical medicine focuses on pathophysiology but this often only takes into account the physical markers of your case. Looking at the human body at its cellular, molecular and genetic levels are important but in isolation it ignores other vital factors that determine your wellbeing.
I take a biopsychosocial approach to healthcare, which emphasizes the connection between our biology, psychology and social influences. This relationship informs the understanding of your health imbalances as well as their strategic treatment.
This is why my Asian medicine background is a pillar of my practice. Asian medicine considers the body, mind and energetic into a diagnosis as well as understands that how we interact with the world that surrounds us, deeply influences our health. This interaction goes beyond our chemical and environmental exposures but reaches into our relationships, our emotional histories and our barriers to healing. Embracing this truly holistic approach also means embracing the idea that who we are as a human being is at the heart of optimal health.
Goals Goals Goals
Let’s talk strategy. Focusing on natural therapies is the crux of how I practice, however, my real aim is to get to the root cause of your health concerns. This approach goes beyond treating symptoms and strives to identify the origin of your imbalances, resulting in significant long-term change. Without an understanding of root cause, treatment options can be overwhelming, confusing and aimless. By understanding the underlying issues, I focus on strategies, which are deliberate, realistic and empowering.
I’m here to listen. Your goals create the blueprint of your therapeutic plan. While this is at play, most cases are a combination of short-term and long-term strategies. Targeting the root cause of illness is paramount but symptom-alleviation and quality-of-life during this process are also important. This way you can enjoy your journey!
Is there a place for conventional medicine in this approach? Of course. Real Naturopathic Medicine mitigates risk and prevents harms through the combination of methods that work for you.
This is why I went beyond my Ayurvedic training and pursued Naturopathic education; this included rigorous study of biomedical sciences and lab test literacy. With this, I am able to understand the synergy between ancient healing and modern medicine.
While, my toolbox includes acupuncture, herbal prescriptions, manual therapies and clinical nutrition, my modus operandi is to achieve your goals through personalized, conscientious evaluation and treatment.