AANP Falsely Labels Naturopathy a "Scientific"- and "Common Sense"- Based Profession (ISBN 9781935297185, 2009):

here, I quote from a 2009 paper-based booklet authored by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians [AANP]. I find so much of it, frankly, to be duplicitous / false [in other words: typical of the ND realm]. In this booklet, the AANP labels naturopathy: of professional-level in ethical stricture, scientific, rigorous, while bound to the ND principles [see 001.a. through 001.c., below]. I illustrate the AANP's nontransparency / coding of naturopathy's essential premise [after they've told us to trust them, that they meet professional ethical strictures!]; and I compare AANP's language in the booklet to the language of the Oregon Board of Naturopathic Examiners [OBNE] who promise us that vitalism and supernaturalism are science, and that naturopaths are professionals [see 003., below]; and I caution [see 004., below]:

001. the AANP states in "Naturopathic Medicine: Wisdom of Nature, Rigors of Science" (Better Nutrition Magazine's Healthy Living Guide; vol. 19 2009; ISBN 9781935297185) [available through online bookstores]:

001.a. by way of general overview, per the booklet's cover:

"[naturopathy is ] patient-centered health care [...and NDs are] experts [...] providing safe and effective healthcare [...naturopathy has] a strong foundation of steep tradition and scientific validation [...] this booklet provides comprehensive information about naturopathic medicine from a trusted source [...the AANP, which] is a professional society [...whose] vision is to transform the healthcare system [...] to a comprehensive health program incorporating the principles of naturopathic medicine."

Note: fascinating. We have the claims: "patient-centered" a.k.a. 'they're looking out for you!', 'expertise', 'efficacy', 'a strong science foundation', that we are being 'comprehensively informed', that AANP is 'trustworthy', and "professional". Overall, the AANP's agenda is, explicitly, to get their naturopathic "principles" dominating healthcare [for their essential principles, see 002., below].

001.b. specifically, that naturopathy is science:

"[NDs use] the best of modern medical science [...per meeting] the rigors of modern science [p.004...that ND degrees are granted by] National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, IL [(also listed on p.031)...that NDs study] diagnostic sciences [...and] clinical sciences [p.007...] naturopathic medicine is based on scientific evidence as well as common sense [p.012...] a growing amount of scientific research supports much of what we already know [p.015...] naturopathic physicians base their practice on six timeless principles founded on medical tradition and scientific evidence [p.023...] returning to the roots of healing does not mean abandoning science [p.024...in the ND oath, the] science of naturopathic medicine [p.029]."

Note: science, science, science.

001.c. naturopathy's claimed professionalism is stated explicitly:

"[AANP is] a professional society [...] CNME is the only professional body [etc. p.008...] the legitimate naturopathic medical profession [...of] professional organizations [p.009...] "[regarding] license[d] naturopathic physicians. Licensure of health care providers helps ensure public safety and a high standard of professionalism. Professional licensure for naturopathic physicians is presently available [...] the AANP and other professional naturopathic organizations [p.027...] naturopathic physicians have the medical training, the professional network [p.028...] specialty organizations, state associations, and professional affiliates [and they list their North American apparatus p.030, including UBCNM p.031]."

Note: professional, professional, professional.

001.d. naturopathy's claimed of rigor:

"[naturopathy meets] rigors of science [cover...] qualified naturopathic physicians undergo rigorous training before they become licensed healthcare practitioners [(and they list their schools, including UBCNM)...] after graduation from a CNME accredited naturopathic medical program, graduates are eligible to take a rigorous national naturopathic physicians licensing examination (NPLEX) [p.007]."

Note: rigor, rigor, rigor.

002. but, in this booklet, naturopathy's essential premise / context is:

002.a. mainly coded:

"naturopathic medicine is based on the belief that the human body has an innate healing ability [...the] bodies' ability to ward off and combat disease [...NDs are] steeped in [...] principles [p.004...these] principles of naturopathic medicine. [Which] naturopathic physicians base their practice on [...#1] let nature heal [LNH...] a powerful, innate instinct for self-healing [...] this process [p.023..] naturopathic physician's oath [...] the fundamental principles adhered to by naturopathic doctors [...include] I will honor the principles of naturopathic medicine [...including] to cooperate with the healing powers of nature [HPN, p.029]."

Note: most fascinating is that the words "force", "vitalism", "vitalistic" do not show up in this "comprehensive" and 'trustworthy' document. Instead, we get naturalistic language, and it is not being specific. I will reveal naturopathy's actual context [see 003., below].

002.b. though slightly hinted at contextually:

"homeopathy [...] the father of homeopathy [...] Hahnemann [...] taught that every person has a vital source. He believed that the homeopathic remedy must be diluted enough so that it doesn't overwhelm this vital source [VS], or spiritual core [SC, p.017]."

Note: in sum, LNH/HPN and VS/SC are, upon the preponderance, naturopathy's 'vitalism' [see 003.a., below], which is science-ejected [see 003.b., below]. It should be noted that in this booklet, the AANP is telling us that within the scientific is the supernatural 'vital source'. Science does not contain the supernatural, or support it.

003. naturopathy's essential principle -- vitalism -- via OBNE:

003.a. OBNE states in "About Naturopathy":

"naturopathic medicine is a distinctively natural approach to health and healing that recognizes the integrity of the whole person. Naturopathic Medicine is heir to the vitalistic tradition of medicine in the Western world, emphasizing the treatment of disease through the stimulation, enhancement, and support of the inherent healing capacity of the person. Methods of treatments are chosen to work with the patient’s vital force, respecting the intelligence of the natural healing process [...naturopathy's] principles [...] distinguish the profession from other medical approaches: [#1] the healing power of nature. Vis medicatrix naturae. The body has the inherent ability to establish, maintain, and restore health. The healing process is ordered and intelligent; nature heals through the response of the life force. The physician’s role is to facilitate and augment this process [...] the process of healing includes the generation of symptoms, which are, in fact, an expression of the life force attempting to heal itself [...] the physician must strive to inspire hope as well as understanding. The physician must also make a commitment to his/her personal and spiritual development in order to be a good teacher [...] naturopathic physicians (N.D.) are primary care practitioners trained as specialist in natural medicine. They are educated in conventional medical sciences [...] the practice of naturopathic medicine emerges from six underlying principles of healing. These principles are based on the objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually reexamined in light of scientific analysis."

Note: I've collected examples of naturopathy's essential vitalism. I've collected examples of naturopathy's science claim they place upon the essentially naturopathic.

003.b. in reality, vitalism is hugely science-ejected and so is supernaturalism.

004. the AANP's promises / claims are empty and false:

so, where is the common sense? When you label something [science] equivalent to what it hugely isn't [nonscience], that's absurd. Seems to me, the AANP seeks to transform healthcare into their 'hugely burning stupid'.

where is the science? Their ain't none to support vitalism or supernaturalism: science actually REJECTS both.

where is the truth? Your tax dollars are at work deceiving you, via OBNE .gov;
and AANP is at work deceiving you.