Allison Ribaux - Certified Holistic Nutritionist & Herbalist - Yoga Instructor - Anthropologist - Founder

I'm Allison, a Certified Holistic Nutritionist & Herbalist, Yoga Instructor, Anthropologist, and the founder of SwitchBack Holistics.

My journey into Holistic Wellness began as a personal quest for healing. I have always been an athlete, running, biking and hiking with my dogs all over BC, Quebec and now Mexico! I've run Ultra Marathons and competed in Triathlons, movement is my happiness and therapy!

I also suffer from Fibromyalgia, and after enduring over 10 years of varying degrees of chronic pain, and a car accident, I sought alternatives to conventional treatments. I'd go years being "fine", then I'd have a flare. Running up mountains to barely being able to walk across the street. I knew there was something more I could do...conventional doctors and medicine just wasn't working for me.

This exploration led me to the profound healing potential of plants, proper nutrition and mindful movement and fitness.

Determined to deepen my understanding, I pursued and completed the Community Herbalist Certificate as well as theHolistic Nutrition Program at Pacific Rim College. These are comprehensive programs that delve into the benefits of nutrition, fitness and the medicinal uses of plants across various cultures.

Life is short! Partly because of my medical history and wanderlust, I have chosen to share my experience, to encourage others with the same dream. Traveling and especially a nomadic lifestyle can be hard or seemingly impossible for those with Chronic Pain...but you CAN achieve it!

Specializing in Holistic Solutions to Immune Problems and Chronic Pain

Here, healing begins at the root. I specialize in holistic, plant-based approaches that support the body’s natural ability to restore balance, reduce chronic pain, and strengthen immune function. Whether you’re navigating autoimmune conditions, long-term inflammation, or recurring illness, I offer personalized herbal protocols and natural healing methods designed to address the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Together, we’ll tap into the wisdom of nature to support lasting wellness from the inside out.

Holistic Health: Finding the Root of Illness

Holistic health is an approach to wellness that considers the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—rather than just symptoms. Instead of only treating surface-level issues, holistic practitioners seek to identify and address the root cause of illness or discomfort.

This approach encourages individuals to become active participants in their health, focusing on prevention, balance, and supporting the body’s natural healing abilities.

Root Cause Medicine: Looking Deeper

Modern medicine often treats symptoms with medication or procedures, which can be helpful in the short term. However, when symptoms return or worsen, it may be a sign that the underlying issue hasn't been resolved.

Holistic health asks important questions:

What triggered this illness or imbalance?

What factors in lifestyle, nutrition, environment, or emotions might be contributing?

How can we support the body in healing itself?

By looking at patterns, habits, emotional well-being, and physical health, a clearer picture often emerges.

The Immune System: Your First Line of Defence

The immune system plays a central role in keeping the body healthy. It's a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that protects against pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and toxins.

When the immune system is weakened—by stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, environmental toxins, or chronic inflammation—it becomes harder for the body to heal or resist illness.

Holistic immune support includes:

Nutrient-dense foods (rich in vitamins C, D, zinc, antioxidants)
Herbal allies like echinacea, elderberry, reishi, and astragalus
Reducing stress and getting quality sleep
Movement and breathwork to encourage lymph flow
Gut health support, since over 70% of the immune system resides in the gut

Chronic Pain: Listening to the Body

Chronic pain is the body’s way of asking for attention. Whether it’s arthritis, migraines, back pain, or fibromyalgia, long-term pain is often rooted in inflammation, nervous system dysregulation, or structural imbalances.

Holistic approaches to chronic pain often include:

Identifying and reducing inflammatory triggers (like processed foods or allergens)
Gentle movement therapies: yoga, tai chi, stretching, or somatic practices
Mind-body techniques: meditation, breathwork, acupuncture, or craniosacral therapy
Anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric, ginger, boswellia, and willow bark
Emotional release and trauma-informed practices, recognizing that the body holds memory

Final Thoughts

Healing is not a one-size-fits-all process. Holistic health reminds us that true wellness comes from addressing the whole person—not just treating isolated symptoms. Whether you're supporting your immune system or living with chronic pain, the key is to listen deeply, ask why, and support the body’s natural wisdom.