here, I cite from a brochure I just received by snail mail from the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs Naturopathic Medicine Committee [SCDCANMC] which doesn't accurately express naturopathy's overall context and instead codes naturopathy's science-ejected central vitalistic context in misleading naturalistic language and a falsely postured context of professionalism [see 001., below]; then, I use the alma mater of the SCDCANMC committee chair and another committee member, NCNM, to 'cut to the chase' [see 002., below]:
001. SCDCANMC states in "Consumer's Guide to Naturopathic Medicine" (not sure when published):
001.a.
"naturopathic medicine [...] uses natural methods and substances to support and stimulate the body's self-healing process [BSHP, coded vitalism]. It is distinguished by the principles on which its practice is based [...including] 1. the healing power of nature [HPN]: naturopathic doctors (NDs) trust in the body's inherent wisdom to heal [BIWH, coded vitalism...] naturopathic medicine can benefit people who prefer a natural approach."
Note: I'll specifically decode the vitalism below in 002. expressed so noninformatively in the above.
001.b.
"NDs have different styles [...] some may focus on particular [...] therapies such as homeopathy [an implauible therapy!...principle] 4. doctor as teacher: the primary role of an ND is a teacher who educates [...] licensure ensures that naturopathic doctors [...] stay current with professional practice."
Note: ah, educating and professional claims. Homeopathy is known to be an inert placebo!
002. oh how they love to bait and switch the central tenet / context of naturopathy, BSHP-HPN-BIWH:
002.a. SCDCANMC states in "Committee Members" [vsc 2010-12-27]:
"David Field is [...] committee chair [...] he received his bachelor of arts degree in biology from Colorado College in 1975 [...and] his naturopathic doctor degree at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, graduating in 1985 [...] he co-founded the California Association of Naturopathic Physicians (now California Naturopathic Doctors Association) [...] Dr. Field is the first licensed naturopathic doctor (ND-1) in California – his license granted in January 2005 [...also on the committee] Beverly Yates, ND is a California licensed doctor of naturopathic medicine and a 1994 graduate of the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM, www.NCNM.edu) in Portland, OR."
Note: ND Field tells us, at his web site homepage, practically NOTHING. It's apparently a single page, mentioning homeopathy, acupuncture, and naturopathy and shows him in a white coat with a stethoscope around his neck. ND Yates doesn't describe, apparently, naturopathy either at her web pages. How noninformative, though NDs claim to be educators! How, actually, manipulative.
002.b. at NCNM [the trunk of the naturopathic tree!], the alma mater of two of the three NDs on the board -- Field and Yates-- we're told in "Principles of Healing" [vsc 2010-12-27]:
"[naturopathy is] the practice of promoting health through stimulation of the vital force [explicit vitalism...] these principles stand as the distinguishing marks of the profession [professional claim]" [#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 [explicit vitalism]. The physician’s role is to facilitate and augment this process [...#3] first do no harm, primum no nocere: the process of healing includes the generation of symptoms, which are, in fact, expressions of the life force attempting to heal itself. Therapeutic actions should be complementary to and synergistic with this healing process [...] these principles are based on the objective observation of the nature of health and disease and are examined continually in light of scientific analysis [a false claim that these principles survive scientific scrutiny]."
Note: so, vitalism claimed as able to survive scientific scrutiny when it is actually science-ejected is the ESSENCE of the naturopathic. This is the irrationalism and absurdity that SCDCANMC and the NDs mentioned above will not inform the public about, apparently, and that is disgusting. Actually, SCDCA repeats the supposed science-basis of naturopathy in "Findings and Recommendations Regarding the Prescribing and Furnishing Authority of a Naturopathic Doctor" [vsc 2010-12-27]:
"these principles are based upon the objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually reexamined in the light of scientific advances."
003. so, nowhere in this brochure does it mention this caution [this is 'the chase']:
naturopathy is based upon the science-ejected vitalistic [and supernatural] falsely posed as scientific and medically relevant, and in that sense, you are not cautioned that you are putting yourself into the hands of, basically, sectarian charlatans.
Specifically, the naturopathic ruse is to posture as rational, professional, science-educated when really what you get is the superstitious and irrational-archaic, deceptive, and science-ejected / absurd.
Thanks, SCDCANMC, for totally advocating for this crap and in that sense becoming an accessory to fraud, deception and manipulation. 'Your tax dollars at work', ripping you off.
But, the public deserves to be fully informed, so they can make actual informed decisions and can engage in actual informed consent, instead of engaging in this unfair trade practice / naturopaTHICKNESS.
If it involves naturopathy, it usually involves the reversal of values.
Below are jpg scans of the brochure, as well as the mailing envelope. I've put the brochure up at scribd.com as a somewhat searchable pdf after scanning it. It can be downloaded directly from SCDCA in its full digital glory, too.
I have removed my address from the envelope, though, for the sake of privacy. I received this in Connecticut from California by USPS first class mail 2010-12-27.
[Oh, and by the way, a new ND school is going to be established in California with a new class entering likely in Fall of 2012, according to the homepage of NMC. The disease is spreading]:
Hoo-ya.
