Naturopathy's Scientific Claim - Barker, J.E. (ND SCNM 2001):

here, I cite a recent article that quotes an ND stating that naturopathic is scientific:

the Highlands Ranch Herald's Lydick, R. (? ?) reports in "Is There A Naturopathic Doctor in the House?" [2009-04-14]:

"a licensed naturopathic doctor would have to graduate from one of the five residential schools in the United States that offer the degree [ND/NMD]: Bastyr University in Washington, National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Oregon, University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine in Connecticut, National University of Health Sciences in Illinois and Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences in Arizona [...] Dr. Jason Barker [...] has degrees from Colorado State University, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences and Oregon Health & Sciences University. He sees naturopathy as an evolving, scientific treatment method. 'We subscribe to the same science as M.D.s,' Barker said."

Yeah, right.

Decoding Naturopathy's Essential [often] Hidden Vitalistic Premise - Lisanti, F. (ND NCNM):

here, I quote from the web pages of Lisanti, F. (ND NCNM 2004) who: explains the underlying premise of naturopathy without actually stating the underlying premise explicitly [see 001., below]; claims naturopathy is science [see 002., below]; does state naturopathy's essential vitalism premise explicitly when discussing therapies [see 003., below]; and we can verify this premise at his alma mater, NCNM [see 004., below]:

001. Lisanti, F. (ND NCNM 2004) states in "Naturopathic Medicine: How It Works":

"the following principles are the foundation of naturopathic medical practice [...#1] the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae) [HPN-VMN...an] inner wisdom [IW] that guides internal physical processes that lead to health and wellness. Naturopathic medicine calls this internal wisdom [IW] the healing power of nature, in Latin: the vis medicatrix naturae. Naturopathic medicine recognizes that this inherent self-healing process [ISHP] in the person is ordered and intelligent [!!!...] this inherent self-healing process [...#3] acknowledge, respect and work with the individual's self-healing process [ISHP]."

Note: so, we have HPN-VMN=IW=ISHP. But, we're not told with transparency what exactly all this means to NDs: the science-ejected premise of vitalism [see 004., below]. These terms are aliases: and therein, 'I decode'.

E.g., HPN also means BNIHI per this ND's "IMS Philosophy":

"we start with the premise that your body already knows what it needs [!!!]. Our job is to facilitate that information rising to the surface of your consciousness and to encourage the body's natural instinct to heal itself [BNIHI]. "

002. and this ND states in "Definition of Naturopathic Medicine":

"naturopathic medicine is distinguished by the principles upon which its practice is based. These principles are continually re-examined in the light of scientific advances [...it is a] science [...it is] scientific [...it is] the science of natural healthcare."

Note: science, science, science.

003. and this ND states in "Therapies":

"naturopathic medicine is distinguished by the principles that determine its practice [like vitalism...] naturopathic medicine encompasses a broad range of therapeutic systems [...including] acupuncture [...and] homeopathy [{both are vitalistic}...] acupuncture is a form of classical Chinese medicine that focuses on balancing the body's energetic flux [I've never heard qi / life force specifically called that - interesting!], called qi [...] when this flow is constrained, disharmony and illness can occur. By inserting fine, hair-thin needles into the skin and so redirecting the movement of energy, acupuncture can restore harmony and balance to mind, body, and spirit [{supernaturalism}...] according to the principles of classical Chinese medicine [CCM], a person's health is determined by having a balanced flow of energy circulate through the body [{actual energy, in science, actually exists measurably! -- qi doesn't}...] homeopathic medicines, when properly prescribed, affect the body's vitality [life force] and strengthen its innate ability to heal."

Note: vitalism is inherent to naturopathy and acupuncture, it's just more explicitly stated here. BTW, the CCM degree is labeled by NCNM a master's in science, just as naturopathy is claimed to be a branch of science.

004. this ND's alma mater, NCNM, states in "Principles of Healing":

"these principles stand as the distinguishing marks of the profession: 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 [...and of course] these principles are based on the objective observation of the nature of health and disease and are examined continually in light of scientific analysis."

Note: stating that vitalism survives scientific scrutiny is, simply, bull___.

005. the big question is:

why doesn't naturopathy often directly express its essential science-ejected vitalism when supposedly directly explaining its essential premise?

[What does this say about their regard for informed consent? And why does naturopathy label such nonscience science?]

Naturopathy's Superscience Claim - Wolfe, P. (ND CCNM 1987) BINM 2009:

here, I cite the numbers naturopaths use to imply that they have science-expertise:

Wolfe, P. (ND CCNM 1987) states in "An Eight Year Accredited Medical Degree Program":

"[per] the average number of hours of basic sciences studied by naturopathic (ND), allopathic (conventional MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical students [...] naturopathic [...] 1225 [...] allopathic [...] 1079 [...] osteopathic [...] 976 [...] there is today a considerable and growing body of evidence-based research validating naturopathic methods in peer-reviewed scientific journals [...] Patricia Wolfe, ND. President and Executive Director Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine."

Note: modern medicine is not allopathic, that is a false label. The biggest question I have is how come then, if so science-steeped, NDs still claim that the profoundly nonscientific is in fact science?

Because they're naturopaTHICK.

I Have Seen the Life Force:

Yes, I have seen the life force. Praise be to the life force. I BELIEVE!!!:

[A picture my sister took in New Jersey last year].

PalMD on Naturopathic HTN Tx. Claims - Simply False, Ban Them:

here [hear!], I cite a recent post by PalMD [Peter A. Lipson, M.D. of Science-Based Medicine and White Coat Underground] regarding naturopathy's underpinnings and lack of professional competence [see 001., below]; and I cite my own personal experience in ND school in support [see notes for 001., below]; plus, I 'go to the root of the problem', NDs' inability to distinguish the scientific from the a priori [see 002., below]:

001. Dr. Lipson writes in "Modern Shamanism - Naturopathy For Hypertension":

"the big difference between naturopaths and real primary care physicians (PCPs) is that naturopaths haven't gone to medical school, completed a post-graduate residency program, and taken their specialty boards [...] if a naturopath wants to be a PCP, then they must provide the same services as other PCPs. They do not [...] naturopaths have an incorrect understanding of human biology [see note 02., below] and do not understand how this is applied in a science-based fashion to prevent and treat human disease [...the NDs' AANP site states] 'prominent national studies have shown the DASH diet has been shown to be as effective as drugs at reducing blood pressure' [...Dr. L.:] the last sentence is simply false. DASH is not as effective as medication for many hypertensive patients [...all-in-all] there is no justification for allowing naturopaths to be primary care physicians, and if what they print is accurate, there is no justification for them to treat any patient for any condition. Naturopathy is modern shamanism, and should be banned [hear, hear!]."

Note 01.: speaking of essential naturopathic shamanism, when I was in ND school, they'd diagnose often with applied kinesiology and even pendulums. More specifically, at that school, there's a term they use called 'entheogenic' [even if they can't spell it right!]:

"[the naturopathy foundation course I've taken] Naturopathic Principles and Practice. Principles and Practice 511, Naturopathic History and Philosophy. This course is a survey and introduction to the history and philosophy of naturopathic medicine as a distinct healing art as well as its fundamental roots [its essential NATURE, not to pun]: botanical medicine, nature cure, physical medicine, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, energy medicine and ancient healing systems from around the globe. We will also explore [...] the philosophy of vitalism and mechanism, shamanic and entheogrenic [sp., entheogenic!!!] healing and encourage students to 'live their philosophy' incorporating the precepts of naturopathic medicine into their lifestyles [i.e., drink the cool-aide!!!]."

Wikipedia states, per "entheogen":

"an entheogen ('creates god within,' en- 'in, within,' theo- 'god, divine,' -gen 'creates, generates'), in the strictest sense, is a psychoactive substance used in a religious or shamanic context."

Ah, so what the University of Bridgeport is basically talking about is getting stoned and hallucinating 'the divine' / the essentially naturopathic [see note 02., below].

Note 02.: regarding 'god within' and Dr. L's comment on naturopathy's "incorrect understanding of human biology", it may be summed up in this handout I personally received from Sensenig, the founding dean of the school and first AANP president, in 511 per note 01:

"[life, healing & disease are due to the] vital force, innate, life principle, prana, bioplasmic energy, the god power within you [sectarian figmentations: vitalism, autoentheism, entheogenism & kind]."

002. the shamanistic entheogenic / autoentheistic as the scientific -- an important sign of naturopathy's 'epistemic conflation' / 'knowledge incompetence':

naturopathy does not distinguish between the merely mentalized / ideations that have no supporting empirical evidence, and a posteriori, particularly scientific, knowledge. I have written about this elsewhere.

Bastyr University, an ND-granting school, states it quite well:

"we educate future leaders in the natural health arts and sciences. Respecting the healing power of nature and recognizing that body, mind and spirit are intrinsically inseparable."

Note: the HPN is their vitalism premise, coded, while naturopathy claims itself to be a subset of science. But vitalism is extrascientific [outside of science], and so is supernaturalism. The naturopathic-supernatural [e.g., their beliefs of spiritism, entheogenism, autoentheism & kind] is stated as inseparable from science. So, in naturopathy, evidence and belief are commingled -- the a priori is inseparable from the a posteriori, roughly speaking -- and mislabeled as all science.

And UB and Bastyr are, of course, part of 'the health-robbers consortia' who snookered me with this document in 1997.

$ For Vitalism: Two Natural Therapist Student Papers per ANTA 2009:

here, I cite the academic vitalism of two winners of the $1000 [AU] Australian Natural Therapists Association's "ANTA National Student Bursaries" [see 001., below] -- Greta Leonard [see 002., below] & John Potter [see 003., below]:

001. ANTA states:

001.a. in "ANTA National Student Bursaries" [pdf]:

"to be eligible you must be a student currently enrolled in a course recognized by ANTA on a full time or part time basis in undergraduate or postgraduate studies [...] to apply for an ANTA Bursary of $1000 send us assignments you have completed as part of your studies."

Note: so, obviously, these winners are exemplars of natural therapy scholarship.

001.b. in "[2008] Bursary Winners":

"congratulations to all recipients of an ANTA Bursary Award of $1000. The quality of the submissions for the ANTA Bursary have been outstanding and confirms [that?] the future of the national [sp., natural?] therapy professional [sp., profession?] is in good hands [...the] 2008 ANTA National Bursary Winners [...include] Greta Leonard (VIC): 'Vitalism is a Central Concept of All Traditional Health Systems'."

Note: I'm not sure what school Leonard is from, but the paper is naturopathic.

001.c. in "Past Bursary Winners":

"[the] 2007 ANTA National Bursary Winners [...includes] John Potter (SITCM) [...] 'Compare and Contrast the Philosophy and History of WM and TCM'."

Note: SITCM is the The Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Obviously, both an N.D. and an L.Ac. [to use U.S. credentials] are considered to be "natural therapists." What makes such so interesting are the supernatural premises that are essential to both disciplines. How long ago in human thought was it when no distinction was made between the natural and the supernatural, 500 years?

002. the Leonard paper "Vitalism is a Central Concept of All Traditional Health Systems" [pdf] states:

"[instructor's assigned task] 'vitalism is a central concept of all traditional health systems. Discuss the value and relevance of this concept to modern naturopathy' [...student's argument, regarding naturopathy's] vitalism and the beliefs [!!!] it embodies [...per] a vitalistic approach to health is crucial for the efficacy of modern naturopathy as a healing modality [...its] an essential component of modern naturopathy [...we hold that] a person does not become ill simply because they have come into contact with a pathogen. Rather, disease results from an 'imbalance in the vital force' [...] naturopathy works at re-establishing this balance [...this] vitalistic approach [of naturopathy...] facilitate[s] the innate healing capacity of the body, the vis medicatrix naturae [...per] the energetic and spiritual side of health and healing [...per] 'life-supporting cosmic forces' [...] this idea of a vital force permeating and giving life to humans is neither foreign nor new in traditional health systems [...] in the philosophy of ayurvedic medicine it is believed that 'prana' gives life to the physical body, and connects the body with the mind and spirit. Traditional Chinese medicine also refer[s] to a life force they call 'qi', that flows through the body in particular channels, or meridians that serves to 'maintain the health and vitality of the individual' [...overall, vitalism] claims that living matter is [so] complex and [that it] cannot be adequately explained by a set of chemical and physical processes [that is, the laws of nature...something else is there that enspirits!!!...this is] a theory that sits outside of the current mechanistic world view [that is, science and its evidence...which the author calls] the narrow margins of scientific validation [...and admits] vitalism is currently immeasurable [...] it is precisely because of this inability to prove the existence of a 'vital force' that vitalism continues to be attacked and discredited [...so,] trying to validate naturopathic principles using methods from a completely different paradigm simply does not make sense [!!!...] it does not matter that the theory cannot be scientifically validated [!!!...] vitalism cannot be measured within the scientific paradigm. This essay accepts that fact [...but, we still stubbornly believe -- without evidence -- that] healing is a mysterious force."

Note: this drips with absurdity. If naturopathy is so different in 'paradigm' than science, why do they continue to trade on the lie that they are science-based and not a belief system? Hmmm, this is junk thought, minimally.

003. the Potter paper "Compare and Contrast the Philosophy and History of WM and TCM" [pdf] states:

"the vitalists like Galen, Paracelsus, Bichat and Stahl imitated Plato by believing [!!!] in the concept of 'pneuma', 'anima' or [a] vital integrating 'life force' of living creatures which distinguishes them from non-living and/inert matter, and they opposed mechanistic principles [...per] Platonic idealist spiritualism [...] Galen [...] saw a dynamic functional activity or controlling life force directing [per a 'goal directed entelechy'] a body process toward a specific end [a 'telos'] which he called 'faculty'. Like Hippocrates he believed in concepts of the harmony of the four humors, elements and life force [...] even though Western medicine has been built on both idealistic and vitalist principles [that is, used to contain!], today it is primarily materialistic [it uses rigorous knowledge achieved through the scientific method, not archaic woo -- because it isn't mired in antiquated dogma]. It looks at structure, form and anatomy and relies on technology, hard data, and clear and definite etiology [that's horrible?!?!?...and we get that old canard] science was the new 'religion' [...while] meridians are intangible [they don't exist] and unexplainable by Western science [{a lot more religious than evidence & reason!}...TCM] emphasizes the spiritual and philosophical aspects of disease [...] explain[ing] the relationships between individuals['] body, mind and spirit [...yet, even with all this TCM supernaturalism, we're told] nearly four thousand years ago the Yellow Emperor Huang-Di broke through thousands of years of belief in supernatural healing by introducing science and other arts of civilization [per establishing TCM]."

Note: truly hilariously absurd. Science didn't exist then, and that's an historical fact. "Qi" shows up 27 times in this essay, "spirit" 5 times.

004. this is the antiscience & antiintellectualism -- in claiming that nonsense is in fact sense -- that such [AU] 'natural therapist' schools teach students in this year 2009, e.g. such vitalism is completely scientifically-ejected.

BINM Naturopathy's Occult Essential Science-ejected Vitalism, & Nonprofessionalism:

here, I decode naturopathy's latinized principles [in part] from the homepage of the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine [BINM], a recently "accredited" Canadian ND-granting school that, par for naturopathy, does not inform us honestly about the central / essential science-ejected, sectarian premise / foundation of naturopathic medicine -- the vitalistic, spiritistic, teleological article of faith known as "the vis", a 'purposeful life spirit bioagency' -- instead such belief kind is falsely postured, par for naturopathy, as scientific fact & misrendered in naturalistic language:

001. BINM states in 'homepage':

"[as part of a jpg] primum non nocere, vis medicatrix naturae [VMN], tolle causam, tolle totum, docere [...] the naturopathic physician will be a leader in a cultural transformation [...] the physician of the future [...] will be a visionary [...adhering to] the belief in the natural healing power [NHP] of the body, mind and spirit [BMS...and will be] immersed in science."

Note: Latin -- per the listed ND principles -- is so sophisticating! And it is a great opportunity to obscure. NDs do this well. The public is told, quite falsely, that naturopathy's "belief" amalgam -- VMN-NHP & BMS -- is all is within "science." Nowhere on this page is VMN actually, explicitly illuminated.

002. lets decode / unobscure that second phrase particularly, VMN, 'from the inside':

002.a. the Textbook of Naturopathic Medicine states, per [pdf version] "The Textbook of Natural Medicine. Chapter 03. A Hierarchy of Healing: The Therapeutic Order, The Unifying Theory of Naturopathic Medicine" (ISBN 0443073007; 2005):

"the uniqueness of naturopathic medicine is the way the naturopath thinks about illness and healing [...this is] based upon the first defining principle: vis medicatrix naturae. It is based on the understanding that disease can be seen as a process, as well as an entity [...] working definition of naturopathic nutrition [...] naturopathic medicine is distinguished by the principles that underlie and determine its practice. These principles include the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae) [...] the vis medicatrix naturae, the vital force, the healing power of nature [VMN=VF=HPN...] the therapeutic order [...directive #2] stimulate the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae): the self-healing processes [...] the underlying recognition of the vis medicatrix naturae, the tendency of the body to be self-healing [...#3] harmonize with your life force [...] many naturopathic modalities can be used to stimulate the overall vital force [...] entire physiologic system [includes] (immune, cardiovascular,detoxification, life force, endocrine, etc.)."

Note: so, VMN = VF = HPN -- an "entity" labeled with the science terms "force" and "power" is responsible for healing.

002.b. the Federation of Naturopathic Physician Licensing Authorities states in "Philosophy" [the 2002 archived page is here]:

"[these ideas are what licensure requires of an ND IN PRACTICE] naturopathic medicine emphasizes 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 [INHP...] six principles of healing form the foundation for naturopathic medical practice: [#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 [LF]. The physician's role is to facilitate and augment this process [...#3] first do no harm. Primum no nocere. Illness is a purposeful [teleological] process of the organism. The process of healing includes the generation of symptoms which are, in fact, an expression of the life force attempting to heal itself. Therapeutic actions should be complimentary to and synergistic with this healing process [THP]. The physician's actions can support or antagonize the actions of the vis medicatrix naturae."

Note: VF = INHP = HPN = VMN = LF = THP.

002.c. BINM in "Natural Selections" (2008-10; vol. 1, iss. 1):

"[per BINM ND student Long, M. (? ?)] we all have an innate ability to heal [IAH],called the 'vital force'. When this force is weak you are susceptible to disease [...& the sidebar states that the] principles of naturopathic medicine [...include #3] vis medicatrix naturae, the healing power of nature."

Note: IAH = VF = VMN = HPN. I think it's safe to assume that Long has been taught this within the last couple years as a student pursuing an ND at BINM. And WOW, calling 'the naturopathic' after the scientific fact of "natural selection" is devious.

003. and lets look at vitalism's nonscientific status via eminent scientist Richard Dawkins in "The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing" (ISBN 0199216800; 2008):

"what neither Mendel nor anyone else before 1953 knew was that genes themselves are digital, within themselves [...] life is the execution of programs written using a small digital alphabet in a single, universal machine language [DNA!; it's not a force or entity!]. This realization was the hammer blow that knocked the last nail in the coffin of vitalism and, by extension, of dualism. The hammer was wielded, with undisguised youthful relish, by James Watson and Francis Crick [p.030...] for me, the greatest achievement of Watson and Crick was to turn genetics from a branch of wet and squishy physiology into a branch of information technology, in the process slaying, as I suggested above, the ghost of vitalism [p.226]."

Note: yet, naturopathy maintains dualism [vitalism, spiritism & kind], per entities that inhabit the physical body -- and claims such articles of faith are "in fact" scientific.

004. the false professional posture of BINM:

004.a. BINM claims, in "BINM Research Department, Research Fellowship, Call for Applicants - February, 2009":

"BINM is committed to educate students in the art and science of naturopathic medicine premised on the ethical foundations of responsibility, integrity, professionalism, respect for persons and benevolence [...] the successful candidate will assist the director of research and work on initiatives aimed to enhance evidence based practice for naturopathic medicine."

Note: me arse! The naturopathic is postured as scientific & caring a frak about evidence & rigor, but the essentially naturopathic is HUGELY actually science-ejected. Naturopathy's incompetence, manipulation, and overall deception therein cannot be claimed to met the ethical standards of the "professional." As the recent paper "How Can Chiropractic Become a Respected Mainstream Profession? The Example of Podiatry":

"one of the problems that we encounter frequently in our interaction with chiropractic educational institutions is the perpetuation of dogma and unfounded claims. Examples include the concept of spinal subluxation as the cause of a variety of internal diseases and the metaphysical, pseudo-religious idea of 'innate intelligence' [a synonym for vital force, in sCAM] flowing through spinal nerves, with spinal subluxations impeding this flow. These concepts are lacking in a scientific foundation and should not be permitted to be taught at our chiropractic institutions as part of the standard curriculum. Much of what is passed off as 'chiropractic philosophy' is simply dogma, or untested (and, in some cases, untestable) theories which have no place in an institution of higher learning [...] the professions, which classically included medicine, law and the ministry, are vocations whose members 'profess' to have knowledge that the laity do not comprehend. Given the asymmetry of knowledge between professionals and the laity, society has granted to the professions a certain degree of autonomous control over themselves [...] this social contract demands that each profession, and each professional, place the well-being of society and the patient, client or parishioner ahead of the profession and professional. Lay persons put their faith in the professional following the dictum credat emptor (let the buyer have faith) rather than caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) [...] when an individual consults a member of any of the medical professions, it is reasonably expected that the advice and treatment that he or she receives is based in science, not metaphysics or pseudoscience [...] patients place their faith in the professional, and trust that they will not be subject to fraud, abuse or quackery. This is the social contract as it applies to chiropractic physicians [as part of 'medical professions'...the naturopathic!!! &] the chiropractic profession[s] has [have] an obligation to actively divorce itself from metaphysical explanations of health and disease as well as to actively regulate itself in refusing to tolerate fraud, abuse and quackery [...] in this way the profession can fulfill its responsibility to the social contract."

Note: ironically, one of the authors is a former University of Bridgeport professor I had, a Connecticut institution which claims that science includes the science-ejected!!!

004.b. yet, BINM states in "2008-2009 Academic Calendar":

"naturopathic medicine is a distinct, primary health care profession [!!!] founded on the time-honored belief in vis medicatrix naturae, 'the healing power of nature' [...] naturopathic physician[s] must [...] be visionaries who know we must return to our roots in nature, to the belief in the natural healing power of the body, mind and spirit [{vitalism, spiritism & kind} p.003...] our mission statement: to provide an outstanding and distinctive education in the art and science of naturopathic medicine [p.004...] our goals: to be faithful [!!!] to the principles of naturopathic medicine and to recognize and validate the contributions of the sciences [...] biomedical science provides a common language for describing the structure and functioning of the human body. The rigor of science has, through inquiry based on the scientific method, produced a valuable representation of occurrences in the body [p.017...] History and Philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine. Several models of health and disease are explored, and the unique philosophy of naturopathic medicine is introduced and traced from its historical origins through modern science-based theory and practice. The vis medicatrix naturae is discussed in depth as the basis for naturopathic concepts of health and disease and principles of practice, and as the unifying principle that distinguishes naturopathic practice from other forms of medicine and underlies naturopathic therapeutic modalities [p.019...] it is recommended that students take the NPLEX part I basic sciences licensing examinations prior to clinic entry but it is not required."

Note: the root "scien" shows up 81 times in this document; "medicatrix" twice; "force" never; "Naturopathic Clinical Arts & Sciences" 25 times; "profession" and kind, 59 times.

Caveat emptor, folks.

Decoding Naturopathy's Occult-Sectarian Vitalism Woo: Klearman, E. (ND NCNM):

here, I decode naturopathy's essential science-ejected sectarian premise since an ND -- surprise, surprise -- on her web page doesn't transparently communicate naturopathy's essential science-ejected sectarian premise:

001. Klearman, E. (ND NCNM 2004-ish) states in "Naturopathic Medicine":

"naturopathic doctors are guided by the following six principles: [#1] the healing power of nature [HPN], the body has an inherent wisdom to maintain a balanced and healthy state. The naturopathic doctor recognizes this process as intelligent and uses medicines and techniques to support, maintain, and augment this healing process by identifying and removing any obstacles to health and recovery."

Note: that's all we're told. Nowhere on this web page is the ACTUAL context of naturo.'s HPN premise succinctly explained -- it is disguised. Therein, the public is not able to make an informed decision. You wouldn't know this, unless you know what naturopathy's actual context / essential HPN premise is,

002. so, let me help out:

002.a. the Oregon school she graduated from, NCNM clearly states in "Principles of Healing":

"these principles stand as the distinguishing marks of the [naturopathic supposed!!!] profession: [#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, expressions of the life force attempting to heal itself [...] these principles are based on the objective observation of the nature of health and disease and are examined continually in light of scientific analysis."

Note: the premise is essentially supernatural, yet the college is of "natural" medicine supposedly 'science-based'.

002.b. the Oregon '.gov' Board that oversees NDs clearly states in "Naturopathy":

"naturopathic physicians (N.D.) [...] are educated in conventional medical sciences [...] methods of treatments are chosen to work with the patient’s vital force, respecting the intelligence of the natural healing process [...] it is these principles that distinguish the profession from other medical approaches: 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 [...] illness is a purposeful process of the organism. The process of healing includes the generation of symptoms, which are, in fact, an expression of the life force attempting to heal itself [...] 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: your tax dollars at work, Oregonians -- promoting pseudoscience -- because, actually, scientifically speaking, vitalism is profoundly science-ejected. And, it is naturopathy's definitive/essential sectarian premise.

003. questions:

why is it so hard for NDs to be succinct regarding this central naturopathic article of faith, so that the public can make truly informed decisions? Truthfulness is a basic principle of commerce -- never mind professionalism.

why do NDs have to pose what is hugely not scientific as scientific, and engage in commerce under such a misleading label?

Pseudoprofessionalism means claimed to meet professional ethical standards but doesn't.

Pseudoscience means claimed as science when not.

004. now, Dr. K. tells us in the Vail Daily entertainment section article "Vail Natural Path: Ins and Outs of Insomnia":

"there are, thankfully, many vitamins, herbs and acupuncture protocols to treat the underlying cause of your insomnia and help you sleep better overall."

Note: this is entertaining?

This ND couldn't honestly communicate 'the underlying central ND belief' [which basically is that the 'underlying cause of physiology is a purposeful life spirit' figmentation], yet, this ND claims she will find the 'underlying cause' for the diagnosis known as insomnia.

This ND seemingly cannot distinguish, as NCNM and OBNE cannot either, between a scientific fact and an article of faith that has been science-ejected, for, generously, several decades -- but, more like a few hundred years.

I, therefore, have no confidence in the 'actual causality sensitivity' of NDs, since science is meaningless in their world.

healthy.net's 'ND Superscience Claim', & Absurdity 2009:

here, I list the NDs on healthy.net's advisory board [see 001., below], & I quote from their 'Morton article' that makes the 'ND superscience claim' [see 002., below]; then, I use a healthy.net article by ND Pizzorno, who sits on that board, to 'decode naturopathy's central article of faith'; & finally, I issue a warning regarding this absurdity:

001. the advisory board of healthy.net includes NDs:

Leon Chaitow; Carolyn Dean; Thomas Kruzel, "past president of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians"; Joseph Pizzorno, "co-author, A Textbook of Natural Medicine and Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine"; Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman.

Note: Chaitow, with Pizzorno, recently published, under Elsevier's "health sciences" imprint [ISYN!!!] "Naturopathic Physical Medicine" (ISBN 0443103909; 2008), which states:

"the naturopathic therapeutic order [...] tonify weakened systems [...] harmonize with the life force [p.011...] chi, prana, or the naturopathic 'vital force' is seen as an intelligent, organizing energy [see 003., below for my 'decoding']"

002. the healthy.net article "Naturopathic Medicine" states:

"Bastyr University of Natural Health Sciences, a naturopathic medical school [...] graduates of accredited naturopathic medical colleges are required to have more hours of study in basic sciences and clinical sciences than graduates of Yale or Stanford medical schools [...] the underlying principle of the naturopathic system of medicine [...] to support the natural healing potential of the human body as validated by modern scientific research [...a] combination of the healing power of nature [HPN] and scientific methods [...] naturopathic medicine's basic principles are: 1. utilize the healing power of nature [...] vis medicatrix naturae [VMN...governing] the healing mechanisms of the body and mind [...] these inherent healing systems [...these] natural processes."

Note: this specific current page has been indexed by archive.org since 2001 and healthy.net is archived since 1996.

003. decoding VMN-HPN via Pizzorno:

003.a. Pizzorno states at healthy.net in "A Systems Approach to Wellness":

"[main tenet] Live in Harmony with Your Life-Force. Our beliefs, spiritual values [...] our life-force (or spirit) [...that regulates] our body's healing mechanisms [...] each of us needs to become more aware of the activity of the vis medicatrix naturae (life-force) deep within us."

Note: a summary label for what is at the center of naturopathic belief could be expressed like this: 'a purposeful life spirit governs the body'. This is an amalgam of: supernaturalism, vitalism, dualism, and teleology.

003.b. none of these beliefs have ACTUAL scientific support, while naturopathy claims that they are objective scientific fact.

004. so, when is:

something entirely not scientific falsely labeled scientific;

the supernatural labeled natural;

a claimed 'superscience status' totally bogus
because overlying it all is a sectarian belief amalgam?

Naturopathy.

Would you let someone diagnose and treat you when their entire worldview doesn't reasonably distinguish between a figmentation / superstition and what is actually real?

Salzberg & Novella: Defund NIH's NCCAM Pseudoscience & Illigitimate Treatments -- Washington Post 2009-03-17:

here, I quote from a recent Washington Post article concerning CAM's NCCAM as a bastion for pseudoscience & illegitimate therapy, & also from NIH's statement concerning the nonscientific status of much of naturopathy's core belief-set [see 001., below]; & I point out the huge absurdity of naturopathy stating a nonscientific article of faith / belief is equivalent to an objective scientific fact / the science-based [see 002., below]; & finally, I direct you regarding any absurdy-induced emesis due to these mindfrakers [see 003., below]:

001. Brown, D. (? ?) reports in "Critics Object to Pseudoscience Center":

"critics say that alternative medicine (also known as 'complementary' and 'integrative' medicine, and disparagingly labeled 'woo' by opponents) doesn't need or deserve its own home at NIH [here, here...] the notion that the world's best-known medical research agency sponsors studies of homeopathy, acupuncture, therapeutic touch and herbal medicine has always rankled many scientists [...e.g.] Steven Salzberg, a genome researcher and computational biologist at the University of Maryland, said last week 'one of our concerns is that NIH is funding pseudoscience.' Salzberg suggested that NCCAM be defunded on an electronic bulletin board that the Obama transition team set up [here, here...] critics of alternative medicine say the vast majority of studies of homeopathy, acupuncture, therapeutic touch and other treatments based on unconventional understandings of physiology and disease have shown little or no effect. Further, they argue that the field's more-plausible interventions -- such as diet, relaxation, yoga and botanical remedies -- can be studied just as well in other parts of NIH, where they would need to compete head-to-head with conventional research projects [...] 'what has happened is that the very fact NIH is supporting a study is used to market alternative medicine,' said Steven Novella, a neurologist at Yale School of Medicine and editor of the Web site Science-Based Medicine, where much of the anti-NCCAM discussion is taking place. 'It is used to lend an appearance of legitimacy to treatments that are not legitimate' [...] many of NCCAM's critics view complementary medicine as nothing more than the placebo effect dressed up in a dozen different costumes."

Note: this is, in part, what NCCAM currently states regarding naturopathy in "An Introduction to Naturopathy":

"a number of beliefs [e.g. their central 'purposeful life spirit' / 'god power within you' article of faith!!!] and practices [like detoxifying the body through the feet!!!] in naturopathy do not follow the scientific approach of conventional medicine."

002. that's quite a revelation / condemnation, since this domain [naturopathy] claims at a university, doctorate, fully-accredited, State-sanctioned level to be based upon objective scientific fact:

isn't it interesting that one part of our government, on their [shouldn't I say OUR!!!] own web pages can:

002.a. state that the naturopathic is in fact 'nonscientific belief-centered' [NIH], and;

002.b. another part of our government can wholly endorse 'naturopathy's beliefs falsely labeled scientific fact' [e.g., OBNE]?!?!?!

Note: a long time ago I planned my future career around a particular naturopathic lie:

note1: that naturopathy was "science based" and "not a belief system";

note2: while it's actually a belief system that is based upon nonscientific ideas falsely claiming a scientific status.

003. barf-bags are on the backs of the seats in front of you, in case this has been too large a dose of fraking absurdity.

Naturopathy: Science by Mislabel, Vitalism By Oath, Diagnosis by Woo -- Pincott, I. (ND NCNM 1985):

here, I detail the 'naturopathy is scientific' claims of ND Pincott [see 001., below]; and her iteration of naturopathy's oath to a vitalistic premise [see 002., below]; and her quite wacko devices that NDs use for diagnosis and treatment [see 003., below]:

Pincott, I. (ND NCNM 1985) states:

001.: naturopathy's science bona fides in:

001.a. "The ‘Turf War’ Over Prescriptions" (2009-03-09):

"[Dr. P. says, regarding changes to] regulations for NDs [...such] will improve patient choice in the delivery of quality health care [...] by proposing these changes, Premier Gordon Campbell and Health Services Minister George Abbott have recognized science over spin and patients will benefit [...Julie] in one letter from an MD I read, he accused naturopathic medicine lacking in science calling it 'faith based.' Dr. P: it’s unfortunate, but some individuals are perpetuating a professional 'turf war' and misleading the public with spin. The scientific education and training that naturopathic physicians receive is no different than the scientific training medical doctors receive. It is the philosophy behind the application of that science that differentiates NDs and MDs."

Note: the ND claims that, essentially: naturopathy is beneficial to the public, "science [...] scientific", "quality health care", guided by philosophy, and professional while medicine is threatened in terms of turf, "misleading the public" with "spin", and guided by philosophy.

001.b. in "FAQ's" :

"a 'naturopathic physician' is educated in all of the same basic sciences as an M.D."

Note: yet, vitalism is hugely science-ejected.

002. and naturopathy's essential 'vitalism by oath':

002.a. Pincott states naturopathy's essential vitalism in "Naturopathic Medicine Comes to Campbell River":

"Dr. Pincott believes that in most cases, the body has an inner ability to heal itself when obstacles to cure are removed and therapies are given that stimulate the vital force (the healing force of the body). Naturopathic principles: [#1] the healing power of nature."

002.b. and naturopathy's oath to that premise in "Naturopathic Physician's Oath":

"[quoting the oath] according to my best ability and judgment, I will use methods of treatment which follow the principles of naturopathic medicine [...#2] to act in cooperation with the healing power of nature [...] with my whole heart, before this gathering of witnesses, as a doctor of naturopathic medicine, I pledge to remain true to this oath."

003. wacko devices:

003.a. her powerful diagnostic device in "Assessments":

"allergy testing - electrodermal test method EDS (Vega type) testing is a non-invasive energetic evaluation using a galvanometer, developed in Germany over 35 years ago by Dr. Voll and Dr. Schimmel. The machine that is used in our practice for this purpose is the MORA III and is used to evaluate the presence of food sensitivities in the body. This is not a true 'allergy' test as the word 'allergy' refers to a life long reaction to substances or foods. What EDS identifies are 'food sensitivities' through the evaluation of acupuncture point on the hands. Eliminating these substances gives the immune system a chance to heal and symptoms improve more readily [...] electrodermal testing. The diagnostic machine Dr. Pincott uses to measure the stresses in the body is the EAV (electroacupuncture according to Voll) machine. This machine has been used for the past 30 years to measure acupuncture points on the hands and feet that correspond to the organs in the body. This is one of the many tools Dr. Pincott uses to diagnose as well as evaluate her treatment programs."

Note: for an analysis of such, visit "Quack 'Electrodiagnostic' Devices".

003.b. and her powerful therapy in "Therapies":

"detox foot bath. This Ion Wave Detox Foot bath is a safe and painless tool used to detoxify and balance the energy meridians of the body and is a wonderful adjunct to any detoxification program."

Note: for an analysis of such, visit "The Detoxification Myth".