Hi, I’m Christina, a Registered Acupuncturist and Nutritionist practicing in Ottawa and online! I’m passionate about helping people with hormonal and menstrual conditions, digestive concerns, and chronic illness get back to their best health.
My journey
In my teens, my period made me miserable. I would lie on the bathroom floor in complete pain, unsure if I was going to vomit or die. My moods fluctuated. I had my period 3 times a month.
When I was 19, I was diagnosed with colitis. At 20, I discovered I had food allergies and sensitivities to some of the most common ingredients (including gluten, dairy, eggs, corn, and soy). This was back before the wide availability of allergy-friendly food products.
Since few grocery stores had packaged items I could eat, I learned to make everything from scratch. Many mistakes were made. I baked liquid cupcakes, a loaf of bread that rose so high that it leaked all over the oven, and all kinds of baked goods that crumbled when touched. But those years of trial and error have paid off. Now I know how to cater to pretty well any food sensitivity.
At 26, I discovered that the periods from hell were most likely endometriosis. However, I was tired of being told that the only way to manage my symptoms was with synthetic hormones that flared my digestive symptoms. I started addressing my periods with nutrition, lifestyle, and acupuncture.
For a long time, my health improved. But while in school for Acupuncture, I was stressed. My gut started acting up again. This time, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. The following year, while studying for my board exams, I had another flare. I quickly had to adapt and adjust my daily habits to get back on track.
These obstacles remind me how determined I am. With each hurdle, I gain more tools to improve my health. I’m able to bounce back stronger each time. And I know you can too.
My path to become an Acupuncturist and Nutritionist
Over the last decade, I’ve set on a path to get my health back on track. Enrolling at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition has taught me so much about how food can help us. Studying Traditional Chinese Medicine has given me a better understanding of how to treat the root cause of illness to better manage health issues.
As an Acupuncturist, I’m equipped with a good number of tools to address different aspects of your health. Since chronic illness is complex, it often needs to be treated from multiple directions. I work with you to identify where you’re the most comfortable with starting. As we peel away layers of the illness, the more complex stuff becomes much easier to target.
As a Nutritionist, I believe that an important part of healthy eating is being excited about what’s on your plate. I also feel that addressing lifestyle factors to reduce stress is crucial. I’m here to empower you to make healthy decisions. I’ll gladly help you figure out how to easily put together meals that are healthy, tasty, and that fit in your busy schedule.
It’s time for you to get back to your healthiest self!
To learn how to work with me to address your nutrition, head over here.
Professional bio
Christina Najjar is a Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac.) and Registered Holistic Nutritionist (R.H.N). She completed her diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine with Honours at the International Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She has also graduated from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition with Honours and received the award for the Highest Standing in her class. Christina also holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Psychology and a Minor in Gerontology (B.A.) from the University of Ottawa. She runs her practice online and through Livewell Myofascial Release in Ottawa. The focus of Christina’s practice is managing symptoms of PMS, PCOS, and endometriosis, as well as taking care of food sensitivities and chronic illnesses, though she welcomes all health concerns.