Manna Semby, ND, MSCP, IFMCP is a dedicated North County naturopathic and functional medicine doctor with a special focus on treating perimenopausal women. Her own challenges encouraged her to find answers beyond conventional medicine.
Dr. Manna is a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) designee — attaining an advanced level of expertise in the management of menopause. Through her personalized, naturopathic and functional medicine practice — Aruna — Dr. Manna is also a Midlife Health Specialist who is dedicated to helping women successfully navigate their perimenopause journeys with personalized strategies. Dr. Manna guides women toward solutions during a stage of life that is often filled with physical strains, emotional confusion, and mental stresses.
Prioritizing naturopathic and functional medicine
Maria: Tell us about your background in naturopathic and functional medicine.
Dr. Manna: I was inspired to study naturopathic and functional medicine when my children were diagnosed with autism at the young ages of 2.5 and 1. I used to think that conventional medicine and doctors had all the answers for our health problems. I learned firsthand that they don’t, and often we need to find our own answers.
I found hope and solutions in complementary, alternative and integrative medicine. Principles of naturopathic medicine were very appealing to me: the role of doctor is to be a teacher or advisor to the patient; the whole person must be treated and not just the symptoms; and finally, the importance of the mind-body connection at the root of disease.
I quit my corporate career in finance in New York City and started studying naturopathic medicine. Later I learned about functional medicine which has roots in naturopathic medicine, and I ended up training in that as well.
Aruna — A symbol of hope
Maria: What is the significance of the name of your practice — Aruna?
Dr. Manna: Aruna is short for Arunachala, a sacred mountain in South India. It is a name that symbolizes the rising sun, representing new beginnings, hope, and the illumination of the mind, body, and spirit. It reflects my commitment to helping women embark on a journey of transformation and renewal, empowering them to achieve optimal health and well-being. A mountain is a symbol of resilience and to me, resilience is the one quality I cultivate in myself and every woman that I work with.
Maria: What are your goals for Aruna?
Dr. Manna: [My goals for Aruna include:]
- To provide comprehensive and personalized care that addresses the unique health challenges of midlife women, particularly focusing on perimenopause, menopause and brain health.
- To redefine menopause as metamorphosis.
- To help fix the “broken rung” in corporate middle management by providing exceptional health and wellness care to women in their 40s and 50s so they don’t feel the need to quit their work, business or relationships due to poor health or burnout.
- To raise awareness that dementia is preventable and teach women how to keep their brains resilient.
Maria: How does your practice differ from “traditional” medical practices?
Dr. Manna: Unlike traditional medical practices that often focus on treating symptoms, my approach at Aruna is very different. Instead of managing disease, I focus on creating true health and wellness. To this end, I have created the Aruna Method™ which encapsulates my approach, summarized below:
- Presence of a caring, compassionate and competent doctor
- A systems-biology based understanding of the human body and various organ systems
- Thorough investigation into the root cause of illness, including subjective evaluations and assessments, genomic, blood and functional lab testing
- An effective and precise treatment plan that evolves as the symptom picture changes
- Expert guidance and health coaching from the first moment until your health goals are achieved
Working with new patients at Aruna
Maria: What is your approach when first working with a new patient?
Dr. Manna: My experience has shown that the line between physical, psychological, and hormonal health is very blurry. As women approach perimenopause, various kinds of stressors begin to take a toll on their bodies and minds. Often, people think this is simply overwork. While that may be part of the picture, it’s crucial to understand that when our psychological, neurological, endocrine, immune, and digestive systems are in balance, our overall health is in equilibrium.
However, any of these systems can become suboptimal during midlife, in addition to the impacts on heart, brain, bone, sexual, and emotional health. Given that many of our systems start to falter around perimenopause, it is imperative that we take a comprehensive and global perspective to restore balance to our bodies.
When a patient first approaches me, my unique approach involves a deep personal interest in listening to their story. I begin by thoroughly exploring their medical and family history, allowing me to connect the dots and create a detailed timeline of their health journey up to today. This narrative helps me understand the context of their current health status and identify potential underlying causes of their symptoms.
Next, I engage in a collaborative process, asking about their health goals and discussing their aspirations for well-being. This step is crucial as it allows me to tailor a personalized plan that aligns with their objectives. The plan includes both objective and subjective assessments, as well as necessary lab tests to provide a complete view of their health. Together, we work closely over a period to ensure that their health goals are achieved.
My approach is holistic and integrative, considering all aspects of their health. We continuously monitor progress and adjust as needed, providing support and guidance throughout their journey. This collaborative and thorough approach not only addresses immediate health concerns but also promotes long-term well-being, helping my patients achieve and maintain optimal health through the various stages of their lives.
Maria: I recently had my annual wellness visit with my family medicine physician. Although my doctor tends to lean more toward natural approaches in treatment, I wondered how a visit with you, as a naturopathic and functional medicine physician might differ from that of an internal medicine or conventional family practice doctor.
Dr. Manna: When you visit me as a naturopathic doctor, the approach is distinctly holistic and integrative. I first listen to your story and understand your medical and family history. I make a note of trends and patterns in your health journey and create a timeline. This method allows me to understand the state of your health today as well as your health goals and clarify best course of action and investigation to help you achieve optimal health.
I then create a plan that is tailored to your needs. This includes conventional and functional labs and assessments and correct interpretation of results. We work together over time, adjusting your plan, as needed, to ensure that your health goals are achieved. Note that if you experience poor sleep, low energy, difficulty concentrating, or issues with digestion, sexual health, bone health, or heart health, and your labs appear normal, this does not mean the journey ends there. Conventional lab ranges often miss the nuances of optimal health.
There are many ways to assess your body’s functioning beyond standard tests. By knowing which tests to perform and how to interpret them correctly, we can uncover the root causes of undiagnosed or poorly understood health issues. Optimal health goes beyond conventional lab results; it requires a deeper, more comprehensive analysis to truly understand and address your unique health needs.
Maria: Generally, why do women choose to work with you as a naturopathic and functional medicine doctor instead of a more traditional physician?
Dr. Manna: Women choose to work with me because they appreciate my comprehensive and personalized approach I offer. They appreciate the focus on perimenopause, menopause and brain health. They value the time I take to understand their unique health concerns and the natural, integrative therapies I use. They also resonate with my focus on midlife health and my dedication to helping them achieve their best selves.
Prioritizing women’s health
Maria: I realize you work primarily with women, but do you also work with men?
Dr. Manna: While I work with both women and men, I have a special interest in helping women as I feel I understand their concerns intimately.
Maria: Who, primarily, is your patient demographic?
Dr. Manna: Rather than demographic, I prefer to go by psychographic which defines the psychological make-up of individuals rather than simply age or gender. The person that I love to work with is the highly competent woman. She may be climbing the corporate ladder or running a business or a non-profit. She might be a stay-at-home mom who home schools her children or is taking care of her aging parents. Whatever her chosen vocation, she is the glue in her family, a pillar in her community, a doer, a career changer, a problem solver. She makes things happen.
Maria: Why have you made working with women your priority?
Dr. Manna: I choose to focus on this psychographic because this is how I see myself. This is also the woman who has the motivation to implement a highly individualized program. I feel I know this woman intimately as I understand her desires and her concerns from the inside.
Perimenopause and menopause as women enter their forties and fifties
Maria: Do you specialize in a particular area of women’s health?
Dr. Manna: I believe that our body is one integrated whole and that a siloed approach does not serve us well. My focus on perimenopause and menopause as women enter their 40s is on all health concerns that women face during this time: brain, heart, brain, bone, emotional, autoimmune and sexual health.
Maria: How is a mother’s health and wellness plan different from that of a woman who has not had children, if at all?
Dr. Manna: A mother’s health and wellness plan may need to consider the additional physical and emotional demands of motherhood. Raising children is a big responsibility that can create additional stress on top of all the other demands on women. However, the core principles of health and longevity remain the same.
Maria: How do perimenopause and menopause factor into your approach when treating women in their forties and fifties?
Dr. Manna: Perimenopause is a crucial time in a woman’s life. So much is changing in her mind and body, including her hormones, mood, energy, sleep, sexuality, ability to concentrate, etc. If the right wellness care is provided to her at this time, she can navigate this time with ease without falling prey to burnout, downsizing careers or ambitions. I assess each woman’s global health including her gut, immune, heart, brain, bone, immune, emotional and sexual health and create a personalized plan that is continuously updated as health needs evolve.
Treating women in their twenties and thirties
Maria: How is treating women in their twenties and thirties unlike older women and mothers?
Dr. Manna: Treating women in their twenties and thirties often involves a focus on preventive care, fertility, and establishing healthy habits that can last a lifetime. For older women and mothers, the approach may shift to addressing more specific health concerns such as hormonal changes, chronic conditions, and the cumulative effects of lifestyle choices over the years.
Wellness and women
Maria: What excites you most about working in the wellness space?
Dr. Manna: What excites me most is the opportunity to empower women to take control of their health and see the transformative impact it has on their lives. Seeing menopause as a metamorphosis has given me an incredible perspective on life. Helping other women do the same makes me feel good. Witnessing my patients regaining their vitality, achieving their goals, and improving their quality of life is incredibly rewarding. Seeing women get their verve and sass back is exciting. Seeing them get back into work or other endeavors is wonderful.
For me, everything about health, longevity and life comes down to building resilience. If you are resilient, you can do what you want and be who you want to be. With the advances in wellness today, I can help support women in ways that were not available to us previously. This includes genomic testing, cutting edge labs, wearable technology, and new research into effective medicines and supplements.
Maria: In what ways do you, as a healer and medical professional, differentiate yourself from others within the holistic system of healthcare and utilize your specialty in treating perimenopausal and menopausal
women?
Dr. Manna: I specialize in perimenopause, menopause and brain health. I am certified in ReCODE 2.0, a protocol to reverse and prevent dementia created by neurologist Dr. Dale Bredesen, MD. Women make up two-thirds of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Mosconi’s work is showing that for some women, brain changes that ultimately lead to a diagnosis of dementia may begin at menopause. There is a critical need for doctors to understand the importance of hormones for brain, heart, bone, sexual and emotional health to prevent dementia.
What differentiates me also is the Aruna Method™ which I created to systematize my approach to health and wellness. This method provides superior care and outcomes for women due to its comprehensive and long-term approach.
Personal challenges deepen health commitments
Maria: What, if any, have been some of the challenges you’ve overcome as a woman working as a naturopathic and functional medicine doctor?
Dr. Manna: I’ve faced numerous challenges on my journey as a naturopathic doctor in holistic medicine. I overcame a contentious divorce and managed a cross-country move while attending graduate school for a doctorate in naturopathic medicine. Throughout this time, I was also tending to my special needs children, managing multiple responsibilities, and traveling long distances for work. Burnout eventually led me to quit
my first job, find a second one, and then I was diagnosed with cancer.
During my cancer treatment, I was shocked at how little my surgeon knew about hormones. I was told I was choosing quality of life over longevity by opting to use hormones after my treatment for triple-negative breast cancer. This decision even angered a nurse so much that she couldn’t look at me. Before my cancer diagnosis, I had very little knowledge about the practical applications of hormones during perimenopause and menopause and didn’t start hormone replacement therapy (HRT) until my burnout forced me to quit my job. It was my boss who encouraged me to start HRT, which made a significant difference.
After undergoing chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, I experienced severe cognitive decline, feeling as if I had early-onset dementia. On my own, I increased the dosage of hormones, and my brain function returned soon after. Additionally, I’ve faced skepticism from conventional medicine regarding the legitimacy of naturopathic and functional medicine, as well as Dr. Bredesen’s approach to reversing dementia. These experiences have not only shaped my practice but have also deepened my commitment to providing comprehensive and integrative care, particularly for women navigating complex health issues during midlife.
Maria: Overall, how would you describe developing your practice in North County? If you can, please share both the good and the challenging.
Dr. Manna: I love Encinitas and the larger community in North County. Developing my practice has been an exciting journey filled with both opportunities and challenges. Women here are health-conscious and open to holistic approaches, which has been incredibly positive. There are many naturopathic doctors which helps in raising awareness and acceptance of our medicine. I have had the chance to collaborate with chiropractors, nutritionists, dietitians, fitness experts, health coaches, and dentists to hold in-person educational events on various topics such as how to prevent dementia and effective strategies to manage stress.
I feel the opportunity to raise awareness about my practice is unlimited as I continue to build connections in the community. I have yet to come up against hard challenges but will be happy to provide an update down the road.
The future of healthcare
Maria: What are your hopes for healthcare in the future?
Dr. Manna: I hope to see a future where holistic and conventional medicine are fully integrated, offering patients the best of both worlds. I envision a healthcare system that prioritizes prevention, individualized care, and patient empowerment, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for all. I envision a future where insurance not only covers but also creates incentives for preventative healthcare. Instead of merely managing symptoms and diseases, the focus will shift towards fostering true health and wellness. I hope to see more people studying modalities like Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine, thereby expanding the range of healthcare choices available to individuals.
Maria: Do you anticipate broader acceptance of holistic medicine in the years ahead?
Dr. Manna: Yes, I do anticipate broader acceptance of holistic medicine. As more people experience the benefits of integrative approaches and seek alternatives to conventional treatments, the demand for holistic care is growing. Additionally, ongoing research and increasing awareness are helping to bridge the gap between traditional and holistic medicine.
For instance, the current medications available for dementia only slightly improve the rate of decline in cognition but do not improve cognition. Diet and lifestyle-based approaches have been shown to be much more effective. Multi-modal models of holistic medicine show better outcomes than a drug-based approach. As appreciation grows, we will see more demand for holistic medicine.
Why moms should invest in their own preventative healthcare
Maria: What would you most like moms in our audience to know about investing in their health now to prevent potential future health issues?
Dr. Manna: I want to emphasize the importance of “putting on your own oxygen mask first”. As women, we are often the primary caretakers for others, whether it be our children, partners, parents, or even our communities. In this role, it’s easy to put our own health and self-care on the back burner. However, today is the day to change that mindset and focus on yourself. If you want to continue pursuing your work, nurturing your relationships, caring for your children and parents, and giving back to the community, you must prioritize your own health first. Working with a practitioner who understands a whole-body, whole-brain approach is crucial.
Today is the perfect time to lay the foundation for good health that will carry you into your 90s and beyond. Imagine your future. What state of health would you like to be in as you approach your 90s? Would you like to be bright, active, and able to play with your grandchildren and be a vital member of your community? If so, start today.
The highly competent woman recognizes the truth in these statements and, because she makes things happen, she prioritizes her own health. This is true whether you already have a currently diagnosed illness or not. Investing in your health now is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your loved ones. It ensures that you can continue to be there for them, not just today, but for many years to come.
Maria: What’s the best way for members of our audience to contact you and/or meet with you?
Dr. Manna: The best way to contact me is through email [email protected]. You are welcome to learn more at my websites Aruna Personalized Medicine and the Center For Cognitive Resilience. There is a wealth of information on both websites. You are welcome to schedule a complimentary discovery call where I understand the type of healthcare you are looking for and share my offerings with you. Social media links and podcast appearances are also available on arunamed.com. I look forward to connecting with you and supporting your health journey.
Maria: Please tell us about your children and family.
Dr. Manna: My circle of friends and family spans the globe, and I am lucky to have their unwavering support. My children, who were diagnosed with autism at a young age, have taught me a great deal about strength and resilience and are a constant source of inspiration in my personal and professional life. They are thriving today, and their journey has deeply influenced my practice and commitment to helping others.
Maria: How do you balance being a mom, a doctor, and the demands of your personal and professional life?
Dr. Manna: Balancing these roles is a continuous effort that requires setting priorities, effective time management, and self-care. I make sure to carve out quality time for my family and myself, practice what I preach in terms of health and wellness and stay organized to manage my professional responsibilities. Being a doctor and providing the type of care I do is a huge source of personal satisfaction. It’s not always easy, but with the right support system and a mindful approach, I am successful most of the time.
North County living
Maria: Since we’re all about things North County, I have a few rapid-fire location and destination questions. To begin, how long have you been a North County resident?
Dr. Manna: Since 6/27/2017
Maria: What do you love most about living in North County?
Dr. Manna: The ocean, the valleys, the mountains, the air, the hikes, the people, the vibe…
Maria: What are some of your favorite North County restaurants?
Dr. Manna: I am not a foodie… I am happy with simple food. For the occasional treat, I like to go to Pannikin or Herb N Sea. I also like Similan Thai in Solana Beach.
Maria: Please tell us about a favorite item on the menu and why it rocks!
Dr. Manna: Thai Green Curry! Spicy and coconutty!
Maria: What’s your favorite place to hang out with your kids in North County?
Dr. Manna: Moonlight Beach & SRF Gardens in Encinitas. We love to walk up and down the 101 from B street to J street. Balboa Park is a family favorite with its lovely gardens and museums. We also enjoy visiting Old Town San Diego and enjoy Mexican food. La Jolla Cove is another favored place for a lovely coastal walk.
Maria: What are some favorite destinations in San Diego, countywide, and beyond?
Dr. Manna: Torrey Pines, Balboa Park, Rady’s Shell, Natural History Museum, Liberty Station, Yosemite National Park.
Maria: What’s your favorite SoCal destination or day trip?
Dr. Manna: We love taking day trips to Julian, especially during the fall for apple picking and enjoying their famous apple pies. The scenic drive and charming small-town atmosphere make it a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Maria: Do you have any hobbies or creative pursuits that fill your calendar besides being an awesome mom and a medical professional? I’d love to know how they enhance your life!
Dr. Manna: Despite having never taken music lessons before, I have discovered that I have some musical talent. I am learning to play the bass and keyboard and enjoying both immensely. I love conversations on philosophy and psychology on topics like how we connect and relate to each other, what concerns hold us back from fully expressing ourselves etc.
Maria: What do you do for self-care and relaxation to regroup when needed?
Dr. Manna: Spending time at home with friends and family or going to a national park and staying for a few days is my favorite way to relax and recharge.
Maria: Do you have a favorite spa, fitness center, or other place in North County to decompress or recharge?
Dr. Manna: The Four Moons Spa in Encinitas is wonderful. I also enjoy the Stretch and Strength classes at the Ecke Y.
Thanks so much, Dr. Manna, for this comprehensive interview and glimpse into your personalized functional medicine practice!
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Dr. Manna is accepting new patients. She invites you to schedule a discovery call or to register for her Ultimate Midlife Guide.
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Written by Maria Felicia Kelley
Founder & Publisher of The North County Moms
@thenorthcountymoms | @1MariaFelicia
