About Our Staff
"Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there also is love of humanity."
- Hippocrates
Meet the Director and Acupuncturist
Ruth A. Karmazon, L.Ac., C.A., MS
Ruth is licensed to practice acupuncture in both New York and New Jersey. She holds a Masters of Science Degree in Acupuncture from New York's
Classical Acupuncture School, The Swedish Institute of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Dance, from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Ruth's family practice focuses on treating individuals while encompassing all facets of Chinese Medicine, including: acupuncture, herbal medicine, diet & nutrition, movement and lifestyle adaptation. Ruth works easily with children and adults and her purpose is to provide "healthcare that cares" to all members of our communities. Her numerous continuing education credits in pediatrics, infertility, gastrointestinal distress, depression and anxiety shape her expertise and enrich the quality of care given at the center.
Ruth began studying aboriginal medicine and traditions in 1988. By learning ancient aboriginal techniques of survival, she not only learned to live entirely off of the land, she learned the unparalleled power of herbal medicine. She has a background in herbal medicine from several traditions: Native American, Chinese, Wise Woman and European/Western. It was her experience with these ancient traditions combined with ill health that led Ruth to seek out the study of Chinese Medicine.
Ruth has a background as a dancer, competitive runner and rock climber. She is an avid rock and ice climber, hiker and cyclist. She practices yoga and is cultivating her Tai Chi Quan and Qi Gong practices. She enjoys public speaking, Oriental Medicine advocacy, developing workshops around movement and medicine and spending time with her family.
Community Outreach
Ruth enjoys reaching out to the community via speaking engagements, charity events, conducting workshops, and providing educational movies and instruction.
If you have a favorite charity, group, organization or religion whose members would benefit from Ruth's wisdom, knowledge and training, please let our office
know and we will schedule an informative speaking engagement.
Commonly Treated Conditions (click now!)
Massage Therapists
Kevin Truszkowski, Massage Therapist
When Kevin was four years old, he was learning to ride his bicycle without training wheels. As the learning process goes, he fell quite often. His sister told him to rub
the hurt areas until the pain went away. The rest is history!
Building on his childhood lesson, Kevin attended massage school at Health Options Institute in January of 2001. He completed the five hundered hour course in 2002 but stayed at school as an instructor until 2005. To date, Kevin has performed over seven thousand hours of massage therapy.
Kevin's goal for a massage therapy session is for his patients to become as pain free as possible. During a massage therapy session with Kevin, you can expect to
learn why you feel like you do, and what you can do about it on your own. You will also have your posture assessed and your range of motion may be checked for troubled
areas. Your massage will consist of gentle but effective massage modalities. After the massage, you will feel that you have more range of motion and fewer aches and pains.
Some people say that they feel lighter, and others who have had pain for over thirty years say that their aches and pains have finally been addressed and they are now feeling
great. Kevin strives to make you feel this way too.
Christine comes to Karmabridge with an impressive background of eleven years in massage therapy that incorporates medical massage techniques with relaxation and energy work to give her clients exactly what they want and need.
Christine received her certification at Body, Mind, and Spirit Learning Alliance in southern New Jersey. Her 550 hours of training included Swedish massage and
various medical treatments using both the Barnes method of Myofacial Release Therapy and the St. Johns method of Neuromuscular Therapy. Christine was also
trained to to do TMJ, whiplash, carpal tunnel and sciatic treatments along with pain management and prenatal massage.
After completing her education and training, Christine worked for The Chatham Club in Chatham, NJ from September 200 to the fall of 2007. At the Chatham Club,
Christine headed the massage department and handled managerial duties along with her client schedule. In addition toher Chatham clients, Christine also worked
with two doctors who referred her their patients who needed help managing back and neck pain. Although Christine had a packed work schedule, she still made
time to continue her education by attending classes in Oriental Diagnosis and Shiatsu bodywork.
Christine brings a medical perspective to massage therapy at Karmabridge while still maintaining her holistic approach to life and massage.
Nutritionist
Kate M. Butler, M.A., M.S., C.N.S.
Kate Butler is a practicing Clinical Nutritionist. She has been practicing for more than 10 years. She is a graduate of the Human Nutrition Master's degree program from the
University of Bridgeport and a Certified Nutrition Specialist through the American College of Nutrition. Kate is passionate about nutrition. She teaches clients how to assist
the body's natural ability to repair and restore function by correcting the diet, recommending supplements, exercise and life style modification.
As a Clinical Nutritionist, Ms. Butler does not treat diseases, but rather supports the body's metabolic functions through the use of optimal nutrition and repletion of essential nutrients. Typically, medical histories, current blood chemistries, bioimpedance analysis and other laboratory tests are used to individually assess each client's health status. Kate has significant experience treating diverse health issues and works in conjunction with a variety of healthcare providers, i.e.; Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, Dentists, Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Addiction Counselors.
Each year Kate exceeds the American College of Nutrition continuing education requirements for Nutritionists by attending numerous lectures and courses on the latest research in Nutrition and Functional Medicine: Bone Health, Digestive Health, Heart Health, Diabetes and Hypertension Prevention, Metabolic Syndrome, Reducing Hyperlipidemia naturally, Weight Correction as well as the efficacy of herbal, homeopathic and pharmaceutical grade nutraceutical therapies. Additionally, Kate holds a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Montclair State University where she received special training working with clients recovering from addictions and eating disorders.
As a marathon runner and biking enthusiast, Kate knows first hand the difference nutritional support can make to athletic performance. Utilizing a bioimpedance analyzer, Kate measures muscle mass and body fat composition to help determine caloric requirements and which nutraceuticals will best augment physiologic functions. Results oriented weight loss protocols are similarly designed by Kate for comfort and guaranteed success.
Kate Butler is delighted to join forces with the healing arts practitioners of Karmabridge. She looks forward to meeting and providing nutrition services to the Hackettstown area residents and educating the community about optimizing nutritional health in informal discussion groups and speaking at local events and businesses.