Dr. Nicole van Poelgeest

Naturopathic Doctor


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Professional

I chose naturopathic medicine for its holistic approach to health and for the profoundly positive impact it can have on a person's life. Inspired by nature and perpetually in awe of the intricate workings of the human body, naturopathic medicine was an obvious choice to me.

Recognizing that health is not simply the absence of disease, I help patients restore equilibrium to body, mind, and spirit. When these elements are balanced one begins to understand what it truly means to be healthy: to feel whole, to have vitality in one's life.

Keeping this paradigm in mind, my practice focuses on digestive issues, autoimmune conditions, skin problems, and naturopathic cancer support. I also have a passion for women's health, acting as an advocate and health ally in the periods of transition unique to menopause & fertility (including pre & post-partum care), and providing natural support for PMS, menstrual issues, endometriosis, and PCOS.

Integrating the wisdom of traditional medicines with current research, I use natural, nutritional, and when necessary, pharmaceutical remedies to tailor treatment to the individual. While naturopathic doctors are trained in a variety of therapeutic interventions, my clinical interest lies in herbal medicine, nutrition, IV treatment, acupuncture, and mind/body therapies. I use these therapies to co-create customized health plans with my patients.

Following a double major BA in French & English Literature from UBC and two additional years of pre-medical sciences, I completed four years of naturopathic medical training at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine where I was recognized with the award for clinical excellence.

I'm a licensed naturopathic doctor with certifications in IV therapy, pharmaceutical prescribing, and acupuncture. I practice on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations in Vancouver, BC and am a member in good standing of the following:

  • College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC (CNPBC)
  • BC Naturopathic Association (BCNA)
  • Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND)

Philosophy

As a Naturopathic doctor, I understand that the body has the innate capacity to heal when provided with the foundations: nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management.

Doctor comes from the latin word, docere, meaning “to teach.” I honour this principle in my naturopathic practice, ensuring patients understand the health conditions for which they are seeking advice as well as their treatment options.

I believe that the philosophy which informs naturopathic medicine offers a radical alternative to a system which relies increasingly on symptomatic treatment. We know that many "first world" diseases are preventable with lifestyle and dietary modifications. We know that the financial burden of these diseases on our healthcare system is gargantuan. Naturopathic medicine looks at the person as more than a sum of their parts. It's a holistic and prevention-based healthcare system that works towards wellness rather than settling for disease management.

Personal

When not in the office, you can find me in the forest, at the beach, or in my garden! I'm proud of my annual garlic crop and love experimenting with growing new food. I'm an avid sauna bather and cold water plunger. I enjoy reading, cycling, hiking, plant identification and foraging, yoga, and connecting with friends over good food.

In addition to my clinical practice, I continue my passion for connecting people through health in my work as a health and wellness educator, a workshop facilitator, and a consultant for Alaeria Agency.

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathy is holistic, prevention-based healthcare that integrates traditional medicines and emerging research into an evidence-based approach. Naturopathic medicine treats the whole person and addresses the cause of your symptoms using the most natural options possible. Naturopathic medicine aims to get to the root cause of what's ailing you and in doing so, requires you, the one who knows your body best, to be involved!

For many people, naturopathic medicine offers a complementary or alternative option to our conventional health care system, which provides excellent symptomatic treatment, but often lacks the resources to prevent disease and improve a person's sense of wellbeing.

Naturopathic medicine is founded on the following 6 principles:

  1. First, do no harm (primum non nocere)
  2. Use the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae)
  3. Identify and treat the underlying cause (tolle causum)
  4. Doctor as teacher (docere)
  5. Treat the whole person (tolle totum)
  6. Prevent disease (praevenic)

Naturopathic medicine acknowledges that healing is a process as unique as the individual undertaking the journey. Our role as naturopathic doctors is to support this process, however it looks to the patient.

Services

Every treatment protocol is individualized and may include one or a combination of the following therapies:

  • Nutrition

    ◦ Diet and lifestyle counselling
    ◦ Food sensitivity testing

  • Mental Health

    ◦ Mindfulness counselling
    ◦ Stress reduction techniques
    ◦ Sleep hygiene

  • Women's health

    ◦ Pap and gynecological exams
    ◦ Hormone testing
    ◦ PCOS treatment
    ◦ Fertility support (pre and post-partum)

  • Physical exams
  • Acupuncture
  • IV vitamin infusions
  • Supportive cancer care

    • ◦ Herbal medicine and nutraceutical supplements
    ◦ IV therapy
    ◦ LDN

Naturopathic Health Equity Initiative: