Dr. Heather van der Geest, Naturopathic Physician

11/16/2025

DYK? With expertise in prevention and holistic health, NDs are well positioned to help reduce the strain on BC’s primary care system.

11/16/2025

What is NAD IV Therapy?
⚬NAD is a coenzyme, naturally found in every cell in the body, that repairs and restores the mind and body
⚬NAD maintains DNA integrity and reverses cellular damage.
⚬NAD levels decline with age
⚬NAD IV therapy is a highly efficient treatment of delivering NAD and a mix of complimentary vitamins directly into the bloodstream.

Benefits & Uses
⚬Sharpens your mind
⚬Repairs your DNA
⚬Reverses aging
⚬Boosts your metabolism
⚬Combats fatigue

BRAIN HEALTH
Keeps your brain in top condition, boosts your memory and cognition, and improves mental clarity by improving neurological function at the cellular level.

ANTI-AGING
Reverses the effects of aging by preventing and repairing DNA damage that causes fatigue, decreased athletic performance, and age-related disease.

FATIGUE
Provides your cells the tools they need to support healthy energy levels, improve your endurance, boost your mood and vitality, and enhance brain function.

METABOLIC FUNCTION
Supports healthy metabolic function to help you lose weight, build healthy muscle tone, increase energy levels, and improve your overall athletic performance.




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11/16/2025

What is Metabolic Syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

These conditions include high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels, insulin resistance and high blood pressure.

If you have Metabolic Syndrome or any of its components, making healthy lifestyle changes can delay or even prevent the development of other serious health problems.

Book an appointment with a Naturopathic Doctor today, and get a Jump Start on your Health for 2021




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11/15/2025

Biceps Brachii 💪🏻

💪 Action: Flexion and supination of the elbow and flexion of the shoulder
⚬ Origin: supraglenoid tubercle and glenohumeral labrum
⚬ Insertion: radial tuberosity and bicipital aponeurosis
⚬ Nerve: Musculocutaneous nerve
💪 Activities using the biceps: elbow flexion, eating, drinking, hugging
🤕 Common Injuries: strain with repetitive overhead and lifting activities, biceps tendonitis, rupture of the long head tendon, subluxation of biceps tendon out of the bicipital groove
🧘 Self Stretch:
Stand at a doorway or wall with shoulders extended, elbow straight, forearm pronated, slowly flex knees and extend the shoulder
💪 Strengthening:
Resisted elbow flexion with forearm supination
Curls with supination
Preacher curl
‍⚕️Treatments:
Ultrasound, electrotherapy, massage, trigger point injections, laser therapy, soft tissue mobilization, acupuncture, physical adjustments

Dr. Heather van der Geest, Naturopathic Physician




Information credit: Professional Health Systems

11/14/2025

Today (November 14) is World Diabetes Day, and the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting "The Man Who Discovered Insulin"
Without this man, many people, including myself would not be alive today.
I am so grateful for such an amazing invention that has allowed me to live my life to the fullest each and every day.
Sir Frederick Banting truly believed that Insulin should be available to everyone that needed it, and with that mindset, he sold the patent on insulin for $1.00 so that no diabetic had to go without.
I am forever grateful to this man and his invention, leadership and generosity.

Dr. Heather van der Geest, Naturopathic Physician

11/14/2025

When treating anyone for pain or injury, I always discuss nutrition and educate on INFLAMMATION and Food Sensitivity.

Inflammation (throughout the body) takes up many resources, and doesn't permit the body to work on healing pain or injury.

These are 2 of my FAVORITE BOOKS to help guide patients to deal with inflammation. Check them out. Julie Daniluk is a wealth of knowledge!!

11/14/2025

COLD AND FLU SEASON IS HERE: 😷🤒🤧

This is a GREAT REMINDER.
Cut out sugars and simple carbohydrates when you are sick.
Sugar PREVENTS your immune system from being able to fight off your cold or flu. 🍭🍬🍫

Thank you for this post

11/13/2025

Happy World Kindness Day! Even the most simple action of kindness can mean the world to someone else ❤️

11/13/2025

Both types affect the way the body regulates blood sugar levels. Glucose is the fuel that feeds the body’s cells; Insulin is the key.

People with type 1 don’t produce insulin. People with type 2 don’t respond to insulin as well as they should & later in the disease don’t make enough insulin.

Both types of diabetes lead to high blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of complications. If not managed type 1 & 2 can lead to symptoms of:
- urinating frequently
- feeling very hungry & thirsty
- feeling very fatigued
- having blurry vision
- having cuts or sores that don’t heal properly
- weight loss
- irritability or mood changes
- numbness & tingling in hands & feet
Good glucose management reduces the risk of complications

Type 1 & 2 present in different ways
Type 1 develops quickly. Once known as juvenile diabetes, this type usually develops in childhood or adolescence.
Many people with type 2 won’t have symptoms for many years & their symptoms often develop slowly over time. Some people with type 2 have no symptoms & don’t discover they have diabetes until complications arise.

In people with type 1, the immune system mistakes the body’s own cells for foreign invaders. The immune system attacks & destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. After these beta cells are destroyed, the body is unable to produce insulin. It's unknown why the immune system attacks the body’s own cells but it may have to do with genetic & environmental factors such as exposure to viruses.

People with type 2 have insulin resistance. The body still produces insulin, but is unable to use it effectively. Lifestyle factors (inactivity, carrying excess weight) may contribute to insulin resistance. When type 2 develops the pancreas will compensate by producing more insulin. The body is unable to effectively use insulin & glucose accumulates in the bloodstream.

For more information on DIABETES MANAGEMENT, book an appointment w/ Dr. Heather (your diabetes doc)

11/12/2025

11/11/2025

Lest We Forget. We Remember

11/10/2025

Trigger points are sore or irritable spots "knots" in a muscle. The area may be painful or tender to the touch and refer pain/tenderness to another area of the body.
Myofascial trigger points are commonly seen in acute and chronic pain conditions.
Trigger points can be "deactivated" using
✔️ Heat (to increase circulation and blood flow) to the muscle and surrounding areas
✔️ Soft Tissue/Massage to relieve tight muscles
✔️ Injection Therapies or Dry Needling *in office only* using needle stimulation or an injection of a solution into the tight or tender point to help provide the patient a sense of release in the muscle, and improve range of motion.
Classic Trigger Point Symptoms:
✔️ You have sore spots, sensitive to pressure, primarily in muscles
✔️ Your pain is primarily dull, aching, and nagging.
✔️ Your pain feels more like it’s in muscles than joints, and seems deep
✔️ Affected limbs may feel a little weak, heavy, and stiff
✔️ Your pain mainly occurs in a specific area with a fairly clear epicentre
✔️ There is no clear mechanism of injury, but flare-ups often occur in response to extremes of position, exercise, or temperature
✔️ Your pain is mostly (episodic), but episodes can last a long time (weeks or months)
✔️ Your pain may move around a bit…even to the other side of your body! While uncommon, it’s a distinctive symptom of trigger points
✔️ You crave massage, but it usually provides only temporary relief
✔️ Hot showers and baths are also appealing and almost always at least briefly relieving
✔️ You usually feel better with activity and exercise
✔️ Your pain is not strongly or sharply linked to movement (as an ankle sprain would be)
❌ Some symptoms that point away from trigger points include: numbness, tingling, very sharp pain, joint pain, pain with movement, abdominal pain, diffuse soreness or a widespread feeling of “fragility,” and malaise

Dr. Heather van der Geest, Naturopathic Physician