Kansas vs. Darwin, Naturalism, Supernaturalism, Evolution, Naturopathy -- and Some Kansas Naturopathy

here, I cite from the 2007 film "Kansas vs. Darwin" [see 001., below]; then I draw parallels to naturopathy [see 002., below]; particularly equating the creationists' god-of-the-gaps argument with vitalists' vital-force-of-the-gaps one [see 003., below]; then, we visit some Kansas naturopathy [see 004., below]:

001. in "Kansas vs. Darwin" [the free stream will be up for a while]:

"[00.17.56 title] adoption of the minority report would insert a new definition of science into the teaching standards [...Kansas Citizens for Science member Harry McDonald, retired high school biology teacher] 'the problem is not what they say.  The problem is what they're leaving out, and the hay they're going to make as a result of leaving it out.  And they're specifically leaving out this reference that science deals with only natural explanations.  And they're specifically leaving it out because then that opens up the supernatural' [by unlimiting science...Pedro L. Irigonegaray, trial attorney, council for Science Standards Majority] 'that's absolutely illogical.  How can one understand whether or not there is a controversy in science if one doesn't understand at least what the scientific process is? [...] intelligent design requires a designer [...] supernatural [...] ultimately it is god [...] their perspective of god' [claimed as universally true, of course...KCS Jack Krebs] 'they're also attacking this bigger idea that in fact the things that we don't know about the past can be filled in with supernatural explanations' [00.26.45, the 'god-of-the-gaps' argument...00.28.59] the National Academy of Sciences in Washington DC is considered to be the chief scientific authority in the United States and most of the world [...] Bruce Alberts, PhD. President, National Academy of Sciences [...science] 'doesn't involve supernaturalism [...] the reason why science is successful and has transformed our societies and our lives, and improved our health, is we insist as we explore the world there must be an natural explanation for this [...it's not about inserting] god [...essentially giving up looking because] then of course you'll never find out the answers because you only work hard to find out an answer when you believe there is one, that there is a natural explanation.  Always in the past, no matter how hard the question, we've found natural explanations. We need to keep that the centerpiece of science' [...] [00.31.40 Burt Humburg] 'you don't promote a scientific theory by appealing to state boards of education.  If their was any validity to intelligent design, they would be publishing their work [science peer-review], they would be convincing people just by sheer weight of the utility of their ideas' [adoption]."

Note: so, there's the redefinition of science, opening up science to supernaturalism while naturalism is an essence of science.  There's the claim of science-expertise without scientific expertise, there's imposition of sectarian belief, god-of-the-gap, and science-by-decree not by its usual processes.  Boy, a lot of this resonates with me in relation to naturopathy.

002. and so:

002.a. naturopathy claims that the supernatural is science, therein redefining science:

yet, it's called "natural".  So, there is an ultimately supernatural basis for the natural, according the lead expert on so-called "science-based natural medicine", Joe Pizzorno (ND NCNM), who states that naturopath's centerpiece idea is "spirit" [supernatural].

002.b. there's the claim of science-expertise all-the-while:

Pizzorno is a microcosm of that.

002.c. there's the overall sectarian belief set claiming objective scientific fact status:

OBNM is a good example.

003. naturopathy's vital-force-of-the-gaps, via MD Novella in the Teaching Company lecture "Myths about Acupuncture’s Past and Benefits: Lecture 17" from the 2010 course "Medical Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths What We Think We Know May Be Hurting Us" [which I highly recommend]:

"[00.02.17] the Chinese have a concept for life energy which is called chi [...] life energy [...] this notion of a life energy is not unique to China or to Eastern cultures. In Sanskrit, there is mention of a life energy called prana. The Greeks had a notion of life energy that they called pneuma [...] the Romans had spiritus. [...] life energy is an interesting concept. It’s often referred to as vitalism or the vitalistic force, the force that makes living things different from nonliving things [...] this notion of vitalism was eliminated from the science of biology about 150 years ago. Essentially, vitalistic explanations were used to explain aspects of biology that we didn’t currently understand. Whatever process that we didn’t know how it happened we invoked vitalism as the explanation. But eventually it simply became unnecessary -- once we had anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry enough to explain the functions of life. Life energy simply became superfluous. It always was little more than a placeholder. There was no evidence for life energy; it simply was the default explanation that was used until biological sciences advanced sufficiently [00.04.12]".

Note: replace the science-exterior idea of god with naturopathy's science-exterior vital force, and you have an as-sectarian figmentation falsely posing science, as in the film - the god-of-the-gaps becomes in naturopathy a vital-force-of-the-gaps.  How naturopathy gets away with falsely labeling what is more than 100-years-ago science-ejected as science and trading on that circumstance both in terms of the education apparatus and clinically, well, that's a miracle.

004. Kansas naturopathy:

004.a. the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts states in "Kansas Statutes Annotated and Kansas Administrative Regulations Relating to the Practice of Naturopathy Revised January 2011":

"[the ND / NMD must have] passed an examination approved by the board covering appropriate naturopathic subjects including basic and clinical sciences [..] (1) basic sciences, including the following:(A) anatomy; (B) biochemistry; (C) microbiology; (D) pathology; and (E) physiology; and (2) clinical sciences, including the following: (A) emergency medicine and public health; (B) laboratory diagnosis and diagnostic imaging; (C) botanical medicine; (D) clinical nutrition; (E) physical and clinical diagnosis; (F) physical medicine; (G) psychology; (H) counseling; (I) ethics; and (J) homeopathy."

Note: the science claims are LARGE -- pannaturopathic -- and just the claim of science upon homeopathy alone is indicative of the nonscience that this claimed science status is.

004.b. I've posted previously:

in "State of Kansas BHA-NAC Members' Naturopathic Absurdity: Homeopathy As 'Science'", if you want more detail.

004.c. but, for some immediate sectarian vitalism-supernaturalism, see "About Our Clinic" by NDs Khosh and Beneda which states:

"our philosophy is based on the six principles of naturopathic medicine: [#1] vis medicatrix naturae (the healing power of nature) [...] the body has more innate healing power than all medicine in history. We call this power the life force, and foremost, we cultivate its restorative processes. [#2] Tolle causam (identify and treat the cause): symptoms are an expression of the life force [...] we strive to promote balance, creativity, optimal health and wellness in the patient’s life on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual realms [...] good health is the harmonious interrelation of physical, emotional, spiritual, environmental, social, and genetic factors."

Note: so, now the natural includes the supernatural science-exterior and vitalistic science-exterior.  All, of course, claimed by the State of Kansas board as science.  Fascinating, science by decree but false.  Yes, "the problem is what they're leaving out" and it is quite "illogical": actual science, and information concerning where naturopathy lies; the fact that someing cannot be within what excludes it.

The "Life Force" of Naturopathy's "Therapeutic Order": Therapeutic Science-Ejected Vitalism Figmentation Nonsense

here, I search Google.com for naturopathy's science-ejected vitalistic figmentation-based treatment context and report the first-page results [see 001., below]:

001. a 2011-02-12 google.com web search per "therapeutic order "life force"" [without the exterior quotes] results in these first-page hits, which are ALL naturopathic:

001.a. "Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2010-08-08] which states:

"the precepts that guide the practice of naturopathic medicine include [...] the therapeutic order [...] use modalities to [...] harmonize life force."

Note: this is Strom, M. (NMD SCNM).  Interesting that HPN is not explicitly revealed as that life force on that page.  And, of course, we're told the opposite of what life force actually is on that page.  We're told it's within science.

001.b. the free sample chapter of the Textbook of Natural Medicine: "Chapter 3: A Hierarchy of Healing: The Therapeutic Order:The Unifying Theory of Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2011-02-13] which states vitalism galore, but I'll be brief per:

"many naturopathic modalities can be used to stimulate the overall vital force [p.036...] the vis medicatrix naturae, the vital force, the healing power of nature [p.034...our] therapeutic order [...requires] harmonize with your life force [p.035...] an entire physiologic system [includes] (immune, cardiovascular, detoxification, life force, endocrine, etc.) [p.036]."

Note: this is the central textbook of naturopathy, edited by NDs Pizzorno and Murray, with the chapter written by NDs Snider, Zeff, and Myers.  Interesting that now the science known as physiology contains the nonscientific / science-exterior / science-ejected belief of 'purposeful life spirit.'  Really nuts.  Even nuttier, on p.028 we're told that naturopathy is "science-based".

001.c. "Naturopathic Therapeutic Order" [vsc 2010-06-10] which states:

"stimulate the vis medicatrix naturae (other names for 'vis' include 'qi', 'prana', 'life force'). This is the force [Luke!] that moves us towards health; it is the essence that invigorates us. Some modalities that we utilize to stimulate the 'vis' include hydrotherapy, exercise, yoga, mediation, craniosacral therapy, energy medicine and homeopathy."

Note: this is Maiella, E.C. (ND Bastyr 2006), and what a beautiful equation of vitalistic aliases.  Nothing like crap therapies to treat a figmentation.  And it's interesting that her naturopathy definition page codes this vitalism.  You gotta dig to get to their essence, literally.

001.d. in "Tara Johnie Shelby ND, LM" [vsc 2009-12-15] which states:

"naturopathic therapeutic order: stimulate the vis medicatrix naturae (other names for 'vis' include 'qi', 'prana', 'life force') This is the force that moves us towards health; it is the essence that invigoratesus. Some modalities that we utilize to stimulate the 'vis' include hydrotherapy, exercise, yoga, mediation, craniosacral therapy, energy medicine and homeopathy."

Note: this is Shelby, T.J. (ND Bastyr 2008).

001.e. in "Naturopathic Therapeutic Order" and "Naturopathic Medicine and The Evolving Paradigm Shift Towards Holistic Healthcare" and "Why Naturopathy?" [all vsc 2011-02-13]:

"address weakened or damaged systems or organs (via botanical medicine, homeopathy, orthomolecular nutrients, glandulars, homeopathy, and other minimally invasive, safe, natural therapies) [...] harmonize life force."

Note: this is Kupperman, S. (ND SCNM).  She likely meant hydrotherapy for one of these homeopathys.

001.f. in "Naturopathic Physical Medicine: Theory and Practice for Manual Therapists" [2008, ISBN 0443103909; which I also own]:

"the therapeutic order [...includes] harmonize the life force".

Note: this is Chaitow, L. (ND).

001.g. in "The Nature of Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2011-02-13] which states:

"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. The practice of naturopathic medicine emerges from six underlying principles of healing [...#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 [...#3] first do no harm, primum no nocere: 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. Therapeutic actions should be complimentary to and synergistic with this healing process [...] the therapeutic order is the basic approach that naturopathic physicians use to guide their patients to wellness [...#3] harmonize life forces."

So, there's the vitalism galore of naturopathy.

And, as naturopathy does, there is a claim upon all this nonscience of science on that page per:

"is naturopathic medicine scientific? Yes [...] these principles [the 'purposeful life spirit' and kind] are based on the objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually reexamined in light of scientific analysis."

Note: this is Ferchoff, R. (ND SCNM) and Thurston, T. (ND NCNM).  So, that's the whole nonsense shebang: science-based science-ejected nonsense.

Naturopathy At Griffin Hospital (Derby, CT), Transparent Definition, and Suggestions For Research

here, out of curiosity, I searched the web pages of Griffin Hospital [GH] regarding naturopathy and these are the findings [see 001., below]; then, I tell you what Griffin doesn't tell you about naturopathy, because I value informed consent [see 002., below]; finally, I suggest some research items [see 003., below]:

001. GH writes:

Note: I searched their site per "site:griffinhealth.org naturopathic" and "site:griffinhealth.org naturopathy", without the quotes, via google.com.

001.a. in "Diagnostic Services" [vsc 2011-02-12]:

"Integrative Medicine [IM] Center.  The IMC offers dual evaluation by physicians, trained in internal and preventive medicine, and naturopathic physicians [NP] with expertise in a wide array of natural [N], complementary and alternative [CA] therapies. We produce treatment and referral recommendations across the full spectrum of natural and conventional care. For more information contact: 203-732-1370."

Note: there's IM subset NP / N / CA.

001.b. in "The Integrative Medicine Center at Griffin Hospital presents 'Naturopathic Approaches to Pain Management'" [vsc 2011-02-12]:

"on Thursday, June 24, 2010 [...] the Integrative Medicine Center at Griffin Hospital will present Naturopathic Approaches to Pain Management, presented by naturopathic resident, Dr. Barbara Siminovich [...] a first-year Integrative Medicine resident at Griffin Hospital and the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine, and serves as a research assistant at the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center [...who] graduated in 2009 from the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine in Bridgeport, CT. She is licensed by the Connecticut Department of Public Health [...it's] free and open to the public [...] naturopathic approaches to pain management that are alternative or complimentary to conventional methods, including the use of herbal remedies and supplements, following an anti-inflammatory diet, hydrotherapy, exercise, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic and craniosacral therapy [CST]."

Note: so, mention of their partners UBCNM and CDPH, plus some therapeutic nonsense like CST.  Who knew that pharmacognosy, medical nutrition, diet, massage and exercise are CAM.  I'll bet their efficacy claims have been hokey'd up, CAM-style.

001.c. in "Meet the Staff" [vsc 2011-02-12]:

"Ather Ali, ND, MPH.  Assistant Director, CAM Research/Co-Director, Integrative Medicine Center [...] he oversees naturopathic care and education. He is an associate research scientist at the Yale School of Medicine [...] Dr. Ali completed a [...] doctorate in naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, residency in Integrative Family Medicine from Griffin Hospital and the University of Bridgeport, and a Masters of Public Health in Chronic Disease Epidemiology from the Yale School of Public Health. He completed a NIH/NCCAM National Research Service Award Postdoctoral Fellowship and is part of the leadership board of Integrative Medicine at Yale."

Note: ah, that claim of science upon the naturopathic.  Poor Yale, how they slum.  Ah, Bastyr.  And UB naturopathy again.  And the NCCAM.

001.d. in "April Showers Bring May Flowers...and Allergies" [vsc 2011-02-12]:

"on Thursday, May 20, 2010 [...] the Integrative Medicine Center at Griffin Hospital will present 'April Showers Bring May Flowers…and Allergies,' presented by naturopathic resident, Dr. Lisa Rosenberger [...] both naturopathic and Chinese medicine principles and approaches will be brought to the discussion [...] Dr. Rosenberger is a second-year Integrative Medicine resident at Griffin Hospital and the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine and a research assistant for the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center. She is a graduate of the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR [...] Dr. Rosenberger is a licensed naturopathic physician by the Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine."

Note: so, there's naturopathic principles mentioned, NCNM, OBNM. Those will come in handy to help explain what GH doesn't publicly  mention.

001.e.  in "Time Change for Free Cooking and Nutrition Class for Cancer Patients Beginning June 2" [vsc 2011-02-12]:

"the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital is offering a free four-week Cooking and Nutrition program [...] the program is team-taught by a chef, a clinical dietitian, and a naturopathic physician."

001.f.  in "The Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center Newsflash July 2010" [vsc 2011-02-12]:

"Ather Ali, ND, MPH, Assistant Director of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research at the PRC and Co-Director of the Integrative Medicine Center [...] Chronic Disease Prevention: Research Review of Naturopathic Approaches on May 22nd at the New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians CME Conference."

Note: so there's mention of the NYANP.

001.g. in "The Integrative Medicine Center at Griffin Hospital presents Women's Health - Everything You've Always Wanted to Know...But Were Afraid to Ask!" [vsc 2011-02-12]:

"on Thursday, July 22, 2010 [...] the Integrative Medicine Center at Griffin Hospital will present [this talk...] this talk will be presented by  [...in part] Dr. Lisa Rosenberger [...] both naturopathic and Chinese medicine principles and approaches will be brought to the discussion [...] Dr. Rosenberger graduated in 2008 from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR."

Note: naturopathic principles and NCNM again.

001.h. in "The Campaign for Breast Wellness" [vsc 2011-02-12]:

"Integrative Medicine Center - as a supplement to traditional treatment, the Center offers a variety of non-traditional therapies to help ease possible pain, nausea, and stress. A team of physicians, nurse practitioners and naturopathic physicians work directly with you to develop treatment plans based on your needs and preference."

Note: seems to demand informed consent, upon the 'team' preponderance.

002. a transparent definition of naturopathy's context via:

Note: I don't find a definition of naturopathy at the GH site.  The CDPH and NCCAM aren't all that helpful either.  But, there's UBCNM, NCNM, Bastyr, NYANP and OBNM.

002.a. UBCNM:

you can find naturopathy's essential science-ejected vitalistic premise archived here, and their current opaque definition here, and a science label upon all this science-exterior sectarian crap currently here.

Note: the actual context of naturopathy is pseudoscience: the quite irrational position of falsely claiming as science what EASILY isn't science at all.  GH didn't mention that, by the way.

002.b. NCNM:

on a single web page labels the hugely science-ejected as scientific.  Again, pseudoscience.

002.c. Bastyr:

in a single sweep labels as science the supernatural, coded vitalistic therein equating all knowledge types irrationally.  Superpseudoscience.

002.d. NYANP:

has in the past transparently related naturopathy's vitalistic essence, though now codes it.  This manipulative opacity / dysinformation is inherent to naturopathy's cultic nature.  I think they want licensure in NY this year, so vitalism has been swept under the rug.

002.e. OBNM:

of course takes the prize for being the '.gov' Rosetta Stone that reveals all of the nonsense that is essential to naturopathy.

Note: you could, also, use naturopathy's printed textbooks, like:

the 3rd ed. of the Textbook of Natural Medicine

or Lloyd's History of Naturopathic Medicine.

That's not just cyberspace nonsense, it's nonsense bound and here in meatspace.

003. research suggestions:

principally, I'd like to see naturopathy establish the scientific basis of what's profoundly nonscientific.

yes, it is THAT absurd -- akin to claiming it's a scientific fact that the world is flat.

so, we ask simply, now prove it naturopaTHICKists.  It's quite a challenge to undo logic, and somehow get something to be what it can never be.  Naturopathy should start with its vitalism and supernaturalism -- the essentially naturopathic.

you've got huge science claims upon that nonscience and what I see in it all is:

licensed falsehood, unprofessionalism, and false trade.

Ben Goldacre on Evidence, and An Extension onto Naturopathy:

here, I cite from the Guardian's column "Bad Science" [see 001., below]; then, I muse [see 002., below]:

001. Ben Goldacre writes in "Don't Cherry-Pick NHS Findings, Minister" (2011-02-12):

"so the minister has cherry-picked only the good findings [...] he cherry-picks findings he likes while explicitly claiming that he is fairly [resembles 'objectively'] citing the totality of the evidence [again, 'objectivity'] from a thorough analysis [as in 'comprehensive']. I [too] can produce good evidence that I have a magical two-headed coin, if I simply disregard all the throws where it comes out tails [oh snap!...] it's absolutely fine [for politicians] to make policy based on ideology, whim, faith, principles, and all the other things we are used to [...] and it's absolutely fine if your reforms aren't supported by existing evidence: you just shouldn't claim that they are [because that would be false]."

Note: oh how this reminds me of naturopathy!

002. musing:

naturopathy is based on principles, including "[#1] the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae) [...] the body's inherent ability, which is ordered and intelligent, to heal itself. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to recovery, and to facilitate and augment this healing ability" [and that's ALL you get].  But, that's some very cherry-picked language, not honoring 'informed consent' / transparency concerning naturopathy's essential premise, in my view.  But, that's Bastyr for you: posing science, coding nonscience.

so, we hop a little south to Oregon and find more information on these principles from the mother-ship, and therein we're told by NCNM: "[#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."

ah, so it's vitalism that Bastyr is CODING / hiding and NCNM is relating transparently.  And vitalism is hugely science-ejected [not to mention the supernaturalism on both of these pages].  There simply is no life force scientifically speaking: it is an article of faith / an ideology / a figmentation! 

and guess what!  NCNM [quite moronically] claims that such [their vitalism, supernaturalism and kind] is "in fact" on that page, and that such surivives scientific scrutiny.

as they say, 'you are entitled to your own opinion, but not to your own facts.'

now, a long time ago I got led into naturopathy by a similar manipulation:

 

the AANP and their schools, including Bastyr and NCNM, said [see the jpg above, which I printed in 1997 and then attended UB in 1998; it's archived here] that naturopathy was "science-based" and "not a belief system." Here it is as a rather blurry video screencapture from Archive.org [vsc 2011-02-12]:

the falsehood continues, and it is about 15 years later.

AANP's Blog and NMJ Postures 'Myth vs. Fact, Fact vs. Fiction' – So Let Us Too, Pannaturopathically

here, I cite from a recent post at the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians [AANP] blog and a release about their journal [see 001., below]; and then I follow their 'myth-fact' model to its logical conclusion [see 002., below]:

001. the AANP writes:

001.a. in the blog post “It’s Time to Bust the Myths About Chocolate” (2011-02-11) by ND Bishop:

“enjoy your chocolate your way, since only you can be the true judge [...after presenting a bunch of] myth [...and] fact [...and the sidebar states]  'Physicians Who Listen' [PWL] is the blog of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) [...a] national professional society  […] naturopathic medicine is based on the belief that the human body has an innate healing ability [IHA; coded vitalism].”

001.b. in "Natural Medicine Journal Helps Clinicians and Patients Sort Fact From Fiction" (2011-01-18):

"the Natural Medicine Journal provides scientifically valid, patient-centered, peer-reviewed health care information to the medical community [...] when it comes to the field of natural medicine, it's not always easy to discern the credible and reliable research from the unsubstantiated claims [(my irony meter has exploded)...] the go-to resource for cutting-edge information [...for] scientifically valid, patient-centered healthcare information [...] to maintain quality of content, clinical articles go through a rigorous peer-review proces [...] 'the discerning eyes of experts' [...] the journal's high-quality content [...an] extensive editorial board [...] many of the foremost leaders in integrative medicine [...published by] Karolyn A. Gazella, in partnership with the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians [...] launch[ed] Natural Medicine Journal [...] Tina Kaczor, ND,  FABNO [is] the journal's medical editor."

002. let's decode IHA and see where it stands in relation to science:

002.a. IHA is the concept of vitalism, if you look at naturopathy preponderantly:

I'm not sure how a group can be professional if they can't be transparent about their essential sectarian belief / figmentation.

Note: you'll notice that naturopathy claims that that life force is “in fact”.

002.b. vitalism is hugely science-ejected, in fact:

so, in naturopathyland, facts and myths / fictions are conflated.  Yet, they'll pretend they delineate at their convenience, as with that PWL post.  I'm not sure how a group can be professional if their essential claims are false and their mannerisms are so opaque

In such a context of knowledge conflation, I find the NMJ's language preposterous.

ND Pincott's EDS, REBA, and Homeopathy - Pseudomedical Absurdity Falsely Labeled Common Sense

here, I cite from the long-running column of ND Pincott of British Columbia, Canada who diagnoses patients with electrodermal screening and REBA, and treats them with homeopathy [see 001., below]; and then I provided some background on these pseudodiagnositics and pseudotherapeutics [see 002., below]:

001. Pincott, I. (ND NCNM) writes in the North Island Midweek article "Anxiety and Addiction" (2011-02-07) [vsc 2011-02-09]:

"prescription medications can be the cause of addiction in some patients [...] Sara [...] came into me because she had been on these drugs in the past [...] she had chronic back pain as well as insomnia and anxiety [...]  I put her on an anti-inflammatory diet and had her avoid the foods she was sensitive to as was found by the electrodermal testing [EDS] we do in the office [...] to help her along I used a therapeutic dosage of [supplements (as if such have therapeutic effect)...] and homeopathic remedies specific for the treatment of anxiety and pain [as if such have therapeutic effect...and] bio-identical progesterone [...the] homeopathic remedies are part of the Psychosomatic Energetics or PSE system of treatment. Using a machine called the REBA device; the main mental and emotional conflicts are identified. The [homeopathic] remedies are taken for 2-4 months and then the person is re-evaluated. The process of balancing out the body can take 1-2 years [$$$...it's a] safe and effective method [...] sleep hygiene is paramount for any insomnia case and involves eliminating any 'electromagnetic smog' from the bedroom [...] it always amazes me how well the body responds to many of these common sense naturopathic therapies and all we are doing is assisting the body to heal itself [coded vitalism...] Dr.Ingrid Pincott, naturopathic physician, has been practicing since 1985 and can be reached at 250-286-3655 or www.DrPincott.com [$$$]."

Note: oh, so much to debunk here!  Really, this is sickening in terms of medicine and commerce.  There's EDS and REBA, and homeopathy. Plus an EMF phobia, along with naturopathy's coded vitalism, of course.  How convenient that this newspaper provides so much advertising space for this ND.

002. regarding:

002.a. EDS and REBA type machines, we're told in "Quack Electrodiagnostic Devices":

"thousands of practitioners use 'electrodiagnostic' devices to help select their recommended treatment. Many claim to determine the cause of any disease by detecting the 'energy imbalance' causing the problem. Some also claim that the devices can detect whether someone is allergic or sensitive to foods, deficient in vitamins, or has defective teeth [...] the devices described in this article are used to diagnose nonexistent health problems, select inappropriate treatment, and defraud insurance companies. The practitioners who use them are either delusional, dishonest, or both. These devices should be confiscated and the practitioners who use them should be prosecuted. If you encounter any such device, please report it to the state attorney general, any relevant licensing board, the FDA, the FTC, the FBI, the Better Business Bureau, and any insurance company to which the practitioner submits claims that involve use of the device."

Note: ouch. See here for a REBA site.

002.b. homeopathy, we're told in Wikipedia's "Pseudoscience":

"pseudoscience is a claim, belief, or practice which is presented as scientific, but which does not adhere to a valid scientific methodology, lacks supporting evidence or plausibility, cannot be reliably tested, or otherwise lacks scientific status. Pseudoscience is often characterized by the use of vague, exaggerated or unprovable claims, an over-reliance on confirmation rather than rigorous attempts at refutation, a lack of openness to evaluation by other experts, and a general absence of systematic processes to rationally develop theories. The term 'pseudoscience' is inherently pejorative, because it suggests that something is being inaccurately or deceptively portrayed as science. Accordingly, those labeled as practicing or advocating pseudoscience normally dispute the characterization. Distinguishing scientific facts and theories from pseudoscientific beliefs such as those found in astrology, homeopathy, medical quackery, and occult beliefs combined with scientific concepts, is part of science education and scientific literacy."

003. this is the pseudomedical absurdity that naturopathy calls common sense.

The Quackometer on UK Homeopathy Opacity, and My Extension onto the NA Naturopathy Apparatus

here, it cite from a recent post by Andy Lewis at the Quackometer [see 001., below]; then, I extend those observations onto North America's naturopathy apparatus [NANA, see 002., below]:

001.  the Quackometer writes in "The Media Code for Homeopaths" (2011-02-06):

"in December, various homeopathy groups from the UK have held a conference [...] one of the results of that conference was a 'Media Code', a set of rules designed to help homeopaths present their views to the media [...] a version of that Media Code has leaked out, and I am sure they will not be happy about it as it shows how they intend to be less than straightforward about their beliefs [...] this media code is amateurish, deceptive and will be ultimately inconsequential."

Note: so say we all.  So, overall there is opacity -- a lack of transparency / truthfulness -- concerning BELIEFS.

002. parallels with NANA:

002.a. NANA's TRUE belief set:

This can easily be found at the '.gov' site of the source of it all, pretty-much, the State of Oregon [SoO].  I won't go through the rigors of directly citing [as I've done this all too often on this blog], instead I'll summarize.  On this web page, naturopathy claims that the hugely science-ejected is able to survive scientific scrutiny.  It's a decree; not a finding that has made its way through any kind of scientific community process.  Claiming, de novo, that something is what it is not is quite a contraction and irrationality -- and all this has '.gov' sanction.

The ejected ideas / claims are best categorized as prescientific sectarian belief, such as vitalism and supernaturalism: that physiology is run by / imbued with a 'purposeful life spirit' which can be manipulated to cure disease.  Overall, then, we're told that current science-fact is current nonscience-figmentation.  This leads me to the conclusion that, within this belief system, a 'physician' and a 'metaphysician' are the same thing, and that it is deemed rational to visit a so-called physician who's overall worldview conflates science with nonscience, belief with objective fact, and the archiac science-ejected with that which actually survives scientific scrutiny.  My well-being is more important to me, I suggest you too avoid such medievalism.

But there you go, etched in marble at the Oregon state capital [sort of].  Having the whole thing on a '.gov' site is, by the way, a data-forensics wet dream.

002.b. then there's the more typical obfuscation / opacity, as you'd be hard-pressed to find that same SoO language at either:

002.b1. the State of Connecticut [SoC] site for naturopaths, the Connecticut Naturopathic Physicians Association [CNPA], who state in "About Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2011-02-06]:

"naturopathic medicine is a licensed medical profession [professions claim...] individualized therapy may include [...] homeopathy [empty pills, essentially, claimed as medicinal...] in an effort to stimulate natural healing forces within the body [coded vitalism...NDs] possess an in depth understanding of human and plant biochemistry and physiology [...] empowering the patient in the process."

Note: and that's really ALL you get there.  This CNPA page doesn't contextualize either, merely briefly mentioning: "according to my best ability and judgment, I will use methods of treatment that follow the principles of naturopathic medicine [...#1] vis medicatrix naturae - to act in cooperation with the healing power of nature [...while claiming naturopathy is] science."

What kind of profession is based upon deception's like homeopathy, and false claims about physiology?  What kind of profession codes its premises and therein does not provide enough information to be truly informed in a decision about whether to engage with it?  Who exactly is empowered by such?  CNPA claims that its primary principal is "first do no harm", truly the reversal of all values in the sense that now harm / manipulation and benefit / transparency are the same thing.

Most of the board at CNPA went to the Oregon school that wrote that Oregon description!  At least with the Oregon site we get some details of the whole absurdity-irrationality.

CNPA also states at their homepage [vsc 2011-02-06]:

"a millennium of experience, decades of scientific research the ancient new medicine that works for everyone."

Wow.  A huge science claim, and that great "ancient new" contradiction in terms like 'science-based naturopathy' or 'the naturalistic supernatural'.

I'd love to know how homeopathy works for ANYONE: Randi has a million dollar challenge that NOBODY at CNPA, I'll guess, will participate in.

In fact, not even SoC's '.gov' site transparently communicates naturopathy's actual contents / context [that I can find].  The State of Connecticut Department of Public Health [vsc 2011-02-06; the propaganda arm of CNPA!?] is actually falsely claiming that naturopathy's contents are SCIENCE.  So, I'd say: don't expect enforcement action in the State of Connecticut regarding naturopathy's commerce-illegality [clinical, educational and such].  SoC would have to prosecute itself [its DPH, its DHE], and I doubt that's going to happen.  Better to call in the Feds?

002.b2. at the Province of New Brunswick, Canada site for naturopaths, the New Brunswick Association of Naturopathic Doctors [NBAND] states in "About Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2011-02-06]:

NOTHING about naturopathy's science-ejected vitalistic basis, instead coding it as: "to cooperate with the healing powers of nature - we cannot have healthy people on a sick planet, so we must take care of our environment and use the gifts of the earth in a respectful manner."  Really, wow, how INACCURATE   No wonder David Suzuki supports them, and speaks at their meetings.  There is a touch of naturopathy's supernaturalism there, per "we take into account the physical, psychological and spiritual health of each patient."  And there's a lot of talk of science.  But, nowhere are you transparently informed that naturopathy is a belief system comprised of science-ejected ideas.  You are instead manipulated with opacity and false science claims placed upon the profoundly science-ejected.

Perhaps NBAND's statement "naturopathic treatments can be used effectively on their own [...like] homeopathy" says enough about all this naturopathic nonsense.

Ironically, we're told: "an ND emphasizes patient education with the intention of empowering individuals towards self responsibility and control over their own health care decisions.  We are also eager to share our knowledge."

The irony is killing me.

Now, they are not licensed / regulation yet by the province, but I am eager to see what language ends up there.

ND Parker's NAET, Homeopathy, CST and Naturopathy: Falsely Labeled Science-Ejected Nonsense

here, I cite from the web pages of an ND who uses NAET, homeopathy, and CST [see 001.a., below]; and claims naturopathy is science, while based upon the supernatural and vitalistic science-exterior [see 001.b, below]; claims homeopathy is a science [see 001.c. and d., below]; and details NAET [see 001.e., below]; then, I provide an ACTUAL scientific context for these quite false science claims upon nonscience and quite weird therapeutic and diagnostic activities that have neither efficacy nor plausible rationale [see 002., below]; then I muse [see 003., below]:

001. Parker, R.M. (ND Bastyr 2007) states [all vsc 2011-02-05]:

001.a. in "Rebecca Maya Parker, ND":

"Rebecca Maya Parker, ND is a board-certified naturopathic doctor [...] a graduate of Bastyr University and the New England School of Homeopathy [...] who specializes in classical homeopathy and NAET allergy elimination [...] in addition to homeopathy, Dr. Parker uses NAET allergy elimination [and] craniosacral therapy [CST]."

Note: so, she is of Bastyr, into homeopathy, NAET, and CST.  Bastyr's clinical arm is into homeopathy and CST, and I'm wondering how much, if any, NAET.

001.b. in "Naturopathic Medicine":

"naturopathic medical schools include extensive training in medical science and diagnosis [...] Bastyr University [her alma mater...] is one of the world's leading academic centers for advancing knowledge in the natural health sciences."

Note: so, there's the blanket "science" claim over naturopathy.  And the claim of "natural". So, you'd think that if it's all science, and if the education was so "leading" and "extensive", that the actual naturopathy-stuff would be able to survive scientific scrutiny.

Furthermore, on the same page, ND Parker explains the bases of naturopathy:

"naturopathic doctors follow these principles: [#1] nature has a tendency toward health and healing [NHTTHH]. Naturopathic doctors support this tendency in their patients [coded vitalism]. Naturopathic doctors treat their patients as whole people. The body, mind, and spirit are not separate from each other [some kind of sectarian supernaturalism]."

Note: there is no vital force, live force, vitalism, vitalistic, or medicatrix mentioned on ANY web page of this practice, that I've found.  So much for informed consent. But do not fear, that is what NHTTHH means, preponderantly. So, claimed within science is the nonscientific / science-exterior / science-ejected vitalistic and supernatural.  I'm not sure what it means to not be able to separate a body from a mind from a spirit.  It's a belief of some kind.  Of course, bodies and minds have their own sciences to study them, and the spirit stuff is religiosity of a kind.

001.c. in "Homeopathy":

"homeopathy is a scientific method of triggering your body’s self-healing potential [YBSHP, coded vitalism]."

Note: the vitalistic is again coded. Being a classical homeopath, ND Parker is being quite opaque here since they are sooooo Hahnemann-literal in classical homeopathy.

001.d. in "Dear New Patient":

"homeopathy is a scientific method of triggering your body’s self-healing potential."

Note: that science label again upon homeopathy.  That coded vitalism again.  Yes, that's a pediatric intake form explaining homeopathy and NAET.

001.e. in "NAET":

"NAET (Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique) is a systematic way of training the body to recognize which substances are not toxic [...] NAET is a safe, natural, and remarkably effective method of removing allergies and other reactions against healthy substances [...] NAET allergy elimination is an effective treatment for conditions such as: asthma, migraines, chronic sinusitis, chronic ear infections, ADD, ADHD, autism, fibromyalgia, and much more. Dr. Parker has been trained in the practice of NAET by Dr. Devi Nambudripad, MD, DC, LAc, PhD—who developed NAET by combining techniques from her expertise as a medical doctor, a chiropractor, and an acupuncturist."

Note: NAET galore, with lots of promise of efficacy for many quite serious diseases.

002. what ACTUAL science says [not that 'naturopathic science laxity'] about NAET, homeopathy, CST:

002.a. the [pedestrian!] Wikipedia has, as its entry for "NAET" [saved 2011-02-05], this to say [and, by the way, I've never been a contributor to Wikipedia]:

"Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique (NAET) is an alternative medicine technique intended as a treatment for allergies and chemical sensitivities. Founded in 1983 by Devi Nambudripad [...] NAET draws on ideas from acupuncture, applied kinesiology, and allergy medicine. NAET attracts controversy due to the lack of scientific justification of the therapeutic approach, and absence of supporting scientific evidence of its clinical effectiveness."

Note: ouch, the reality STINGS US PRECIOUS.  NAET is a bogus clinical parlor trick.

002.b. the 2009 evidence check on homeopathy by the UK government:

states that homeopathy is actually so implausible and so without efficacy that no further study is needed to whole-heartedly dismiss it on scientific and ethical grounds.

002.c. and regarding craniosacral therapy, MD Barrett states at Quackwatch in "Why Craniosacral Therapy Is Silly":

"the scientific viewpoint: I do not believe that craniosacral therapy has any therapeutic value. Its underlying theory is false because the bones of the skull fuse by the end of adolescence and no research has ever demonstrated that manual manipulation can move the individual cranial bones [...] in 2002, two basic science professors at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine concluded: 'our own and previously published findings suggest that the proposed mechanism for cranial osteopathy is invalid and that interexaminer (and, therefore, diagnostic) reliability is approximately zero. Since no properly randomized, blinded, and placebo-controlled outcome studies have been published, we conclude that cranial osteopathy should be removed from curricula of colleges of osteopathic medicine and from osteopathic licensing examinations.' I certainly agree! In fact, I believe that most practitioners of craniosacral therapy have such poor judgment that they should be delicensed."

Note: ouch, again precious.

003. the knowledge-type disease of naturopathy [perhaps why all this happens in the first place -- the root cause]:

Bastyr, the alma mater of ND Parker, has a marketing slogan for naturopathy that states "Bastyr At a Glance" [vsc 2011-02-05]:

"Bastyr University  [...has] a multidisciplinary curriculum in science-based natural medicine [...] Bastyr's international faculty teaches the natural health sciences with an emphasis on integrating mind, body, spirit and nature [coded vitalism]. A pioneer in natural [coded supernaturalism] medicine since its inception, Bastyr continues to be in the forefront of developing the model for 21st-century medicine [as if the past is now future]."

What's happened in that 'knowledge model' is that science has been redefined -- without explicitly stating so --  to include what science can't include.  I've labeled this phenomenon 'epistemic conflation', the blending of knowledge types.  So, by way of Bastyr's language and my knowledge of the contents of the naturopathic belief system, Bastyr decrees that science contains the science-ejected supernatural and vitalistic.

With science no longer requiring evidence of a rigorous scientific nature [not to pun], it is no wonder that NDs do crap stuff and claim it is science.  And I'll make an emphasis here that the practitioner's experience and the patient's feedback do not constitute scientific evidence.  Such is anecdote, the weakest quality / kind of evidence / knowledge.

Knowing how meaningless the term science is, in reality, as regards 'the naturopathic', it is no wonder that NAET, CST, homeopathy and the vitalistic-spiritistic are falsely claimed as science by naturopathyland.

NUHS - Raising the Entrance GPA on an Idea that Gets an F, and a Milieu of Selective Fairness

here, I cite from a recent Dynamic Chiropractic [DC; which is quite COMICAL] article on National University of Health Sciences [NUHS; see 001., below]; then, I muse about the irony of having a concern for fairness when naturopathy itself is hugely mislabeled by NUHS in the first place! [see 002., below]:

001. the editorial staff of DC writes in "National Raises Bar, Ups Entrance GPA" (2011-01-29, vol. 29 no.03):

"National University of Health Sciences has announced that beginning with the fall 2012 incoming class, all students seeking to enroll [...] will be required to have a minimum 2.75 grade-point average to qualify for entry [...] the new standard will also apply to the university's naturopathic medicine doctorate degree program [...] 'as tuitions have gone up, it is vitally important for me that students be able to complete a program before sustaining a huge financial burden [...] if students come to National unprepared for the rigor of our curriculum, they might drop out or be expelled in the third, fourth or fifth trimester. They [would] then find themselves with a $60,000-$70,000 debt that they can't get rid of, and no career. It's not fair to them!' [...says] said Dr. James Winterstein, NUHS president."

Note: so, there's this label of science placed upon naturopathy, and this concern for fairness...of all things.  I think the costs of the process of an ND are adequately spoken for.

002. musing:

well, I know for a fact that preponderantly, naturopathy is based upon the science-ejected and that those science-ejected concepts are built into the ND oath.  I also know that within that oath is the label of science placed upon those science-ejected concepts.  And the oath also guides NDs / NMDs in another way: by example, it falsely labels the science-exterior without transparently relating that science-exterior content and is actual science-exteriority.

This sound like, and I agree with the NUHS person above: unfair.  Unfair trade.  They are, collectively, 'the education robbers'.

But, why is the grossest of charades not unfair: academic mislabeling [science upon sectarian belief systems]?  That is selective fairness.  It seems to say:

it's okay for us to take you for the whole deceptive ride, but we don't think it's fair if you can't get all the way.

Labeling naturopathy "science" is no better than labeling astrology or homeopathy as science.  It is simply WRONG.

SciAM on the Naturalism of Science 2011-02

here, I cite from a recent Scientific American article on the naturalistic basis of science [see 001., below]:

001. Michael Shermer writes in "Houdini's Skeptical Advice: Just Because Something's Unexplained Doesn't Mean It's Supernatural" [2011-02-04]:

"just because something is unexplained does not mean that it is paranormal, supernatural, extraterrestrial or conspiratorial. Before you say something is out of this world, first make sure that it is not in this world, for science is grounded in naturalism, not supernaturalism, paranormalism or any other unnecessarily complicated explanations [hear, hear]."

Note: overcomplicating an explanation is known as a violation of parsimony or Occam's Razor.

 

Meanwhile, naturopathy places within science: the science-ejected and the supernatural.  They state that their foundation is science, and then they go off into cloud-cuckoo land [often SECRETLY: on that SCNM, the VMN-HPN science-ejected vitalistic centerpiece of naturopathic thought is coded, and their requisite science-ejected supernaturalism has been excised!].

So, they violate the boundaries of science, and the boundaries of professional transparency.

The lack of transparency reminds me of the antics of Scientology, actually.

A Lack of Clarity at cnpaonline.org Regarding VMN-HPN, So I'll Provide Some!

here, I search the web site of the Connecticut Naturopathic Physician's Association [CNPA] for transparency concerning their SO IMPORTANT defining vitalistic premise of naturopathy, and I share the not-very-surprising [some may even say orchestrated] results:

001. I've searched cnpaonline.org with these parameters via Google.com [without the quotes]:

"site:cnpaonline.org vital";

"site:cnpaonline.org force";

"site:cnpaonline.org medicatrix".

002. results:

002.a. the first and second search structures result in nothing.

002.b. the third search parameter results in the page "About CT Naturopathic Physicians Association" [vsc 2011-02-03] which states:

"the CNPA Board of Directors and its members are to abide by the Naturopathic Physician’s Oath [...] I dedicate myself to the service of humanity as a practitioner of the art and science of naturopathic medicine [...] according to my best ability and judgment, I will use methods of treatment that follow the principles of naturopathic medicine [...#2] vis medicatrix naturae - to act in cooperation with the healing power of nature [VMN-HPN]."

Now, VMN-HPN is the 'purposeful life spirit' premise of naturopathy, and it couches everything naturopathic.  But, there's no TRANSPARENT mention of this on this page.  It should be explained as a sectarian belief ejected from science that frames this MISLABELED belief system known as naturopathy.  But, instead, we get opacity and a claim in the opposite direction, that naturopathy is SCIENCE.  I think people need to make informed decisions, and deserve proper contextualization.  But you don't get it here.

CNPA calls themselves, on this page, a "professional membership organization for naturopathic physicians licensed by the State of Connecticut and for students enrolled in accredited naturopathic medical schools recognized by the CNME" and that the board members are "Ann Aresco, ND [SCNM...] Jen Johnson, ND [NCNM...] Debra Anastasio, ND [SCNM...] Marie Mammone, ND [NCNM...] Artemis Morris, ND [Bastyr]."

But, do professionals HIDE their bases?  Is a profession based on falsehood?  And why is a State in bed with this?

Now, I can cite the vitalistic basis of naturopathy -- explicitly stated -- at the schools these NDs went to.  That's simple.  I can cite how science preponderantly has ejected the essence of the naturopathic belief system.

What's not simple for me to explain is why the citizens of Connecticut don't seem to deserve TRANSPARENCY and why this ruse continues: pseudoscientific, pseudoprofessional.

You do get some of that oh-so-medieval explicit vitalism at ND Aresco's site, yet you get the oh-so-false 'hard claim' that naturopathy is science from ND Mammone's site.

Such irrational simultaneity is the ESSENCE of naturopathy, wherein science and the science-ejected are equated.

After all, "naturopathy blends."

Licensed Falsehood*: Naturopathy, Supernaturalism, Vitalism and Kind, and the Scientific / Science-Based

here, I outline a future printed publication 'in the works', linking its sections to current appendices:

Licensed Falsehood*: Naturopathy, Supernaturalism, Vitalism and Kind, and the Scientific / Science-Based:

Table of Contents:

001. the modern definition of naturopathy;

002. naturopathy's supernaturalism;

003. naturopathy's vitalism and kind;

004. naturopathy's claim of being science-based / science subset naturopathy;

005. the scientific rejection / exclusion of the supernatural, vitalistic and kind.

Note on falsehood:

“an untrue statement; lack of conformity to truth or fact; inaccuracy; a lie; the practice of lying.”

Obviously the word covers a wide scope.

Naturopathy Down Under - ND Hogan, Science, Supernaturalism and Vitalism

here, I cite from the web pages of Australian ND Hogan [see 001., below]; and then I muse [see 002., below]:

001. Hogan, F. (ND[AU] SSNT?) states:

001.a. in "What is Naturopathy?" (2011-01-24)[vsc 2011-01-31]:

"naturopathy can easily and succinctly be broken down to define the 'natural path' [really?  so much for etymology...] Hippocrates [...] first formulated the concept of the 'healing power of nature' [HPN] linking the body, mind and spirit to inherently be able to heal itself. Naturopathy is the practice of health care that combines both traditional wisdom of natural medicine with modern scientific based evidence. It is the practice of treating the body as a whole and taking the body, mind, spirit and environment into account whilst preventing, assessing and treating conditions [...] the therapies I use may include [...] homeopathy [...] naturopaths are able to treat most ailments."

Note: the credential for an ND in Australia is often "BHSc: ND."  She links to the Southern School of Natural Therapies, so perhaps that is where she went to school.

001.b. in "The Seven Principles of Naturopathic Medicine" (2011-01-31)[vsc 2011-01-31]:

"naturopathic medicine or the practice of natural medicine is based on seven principles [...] 1. the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae) [HPN-VMN]: naturopathic medicine recognizes that all living systems have an innate ability to heal it-self. Our vital force [vitalism] promotes self-cleansing, self-repair, and thus self-healing. The naturopaths role is to facilitate this natural process [...] causes can exist at the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels [...] they take into account the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and environmental factors that make up the total state of health [...] naturopaths educate their patients [...] I am a qualified naturopath with a Bachelor of Health Science [BHSc-ND] - I have had a lifelong passion for nutrition and natural medicine -I also continue to invest in ongoing professional education."

Note: oh, so much to talk about here!

002. well:

obviously the label "science" is being placed upon the naturopathy domain, from the language above: science subset health science subset naturopathy.  You get a lot of supernaturalism, and HPN-VMN=vitalism.  And all this is "science" and "natural."  That's strange because science does not contain the nonscientific supernatural and vitalistic.  Also, upon this falseness you get the label "professional".  But, how can a profession be based upon falsehood? You'll notice too that the North American naturopathy principles have migrated to the Australian schools.

When is science nonscience, natural supernatural, professional false, educating misleading?

Naturopathyland.