FSM, MJA, and 'Naturopathy is Pseudoscience': Three 2012-03-04 Australian Web Sources

here, I cite reporting concerning the recent editorial by MacLennan and Morrison in the Medical Journal of Australia [MJA] from ninemsn.com.au [see 001., below], news.com.au [see 002.,below], theconversation.edu.au [see 003.,below], and my own US addition!!! [see 004., below]: 

001. ninemsn.com.au [which claims to reach "67 percent of Australia's online population"] states in "Pseudoscience Harming Unis: Journal" (2012-03-04)[vsc 2012-03-04]:

"pseudoscientific health courses are undermining the credibility of Australian universities, according to an editorial in a leading medical journal [...] the Medical Journal of Australia [...] the professors say federal funding is wasted on universities that support pseudoscience health courses [...] courses that lack scientific credibility [...such as] homeopathy, iridology, reflexology, kinesiology, healing touch therapy, aromatherapy and energy medicine [...] in an effort to counter the growth of pseudoscience in medicine, hundreds of scientists, clinicians, academics, consumer advocates and organizations have joined the Friends of Science in Medicine (FSM) [...they've] written to all Australian universities about its concerns [...regarding] the scientific basis of their courses [...and] they call on all tertiary institutions to review their health-science teaching. 'Their scientists and students should be concerned by any retreat from the primacy of experimental, evidence-based approach in science and medicine' [...] 'anatomists cannot be asked to support the validity of the meridian channels of acupuncture, pharmacologists cannot advocate, without evidence of efficacy, the use of herbal and homeopathic medicines to naturopaths [!!!], and physiologists cannot be asked to explain mythical subluxation theory to chiropractic students'."

Note: hear, hear.  Keep in mind that though naturopathy is mentioned, all the therapies and their requisite ideas which I've highlighted above are commonly done by naturopaths.  In that sense, naturopaths are the generalists of sCAM.

002. news.com.au [who claim to be "the number 1 publisher of news [...reaching] around 7.7 million people per month"] states in "It's Just Not Scientific Enough Says Journal" (2012-03-04)[vsc 2012-03-04]:

"[pretty much repeats the above article, but adds] the professors say federal funding is wasted on universities that support pseudoscience health courses. The editorial has shocked Professor Kerryn Phelps, former president of the Australian Medical Association and the current president of the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association. "What really has the potential to undermine the international credibility of the Australian medical profession is the publication of such a deeply biased, unchallenged and divisive editorial [...] it is an insult [...] Australia will lose all international credibility unless these modalities are included."

Note: wow, quite an embarrassing sCAM apologist AMA / AIMA has there!  Loving it.  See, I'd argue that the FSM piece IS BIASED!!!  It favors science, critical thinking, and rationality instead of pseudoscience, gullibility / credulity, and irrationality!!!  Really: including iridology in modern medicine is QUITE THE INSULT to all of humankind.  Just simply WOW!  I'll touch back on the money aspect in 004., below. 

003. the Conversation ["an independent source of information, analysis and commentary from the university and research sector"] states in "Pseudosciences are Destroying the Reputation of Australia’s Universities" (2012-03-04)[vsc 2012-03-04]:

"the international credibility of Australia’s universities is being undermined by the increase in the 'pseudoscientific' health courses they offer, two academics have written in today’s edition of the Medical Journal of Australia [...they are] Alastair MacLennan [...and] Robert Morrison [...there they] write that academics at universities which teach courses such as homeopathy, iridology, reflexology, kinesiology, healing touch therapy, aromatherapy and energy medicine need to 'stand up for science' [...that] 'pseudoscientific courses sully the genuinely scientific courses and research conducted at the same institutions. Their scientists and students should be concerned by any retreat from the primacy of an experimental, evidence-based approach in science and medicine' [...they are part of] the Friends of Science in Medicine [..who are] dedicated to fighting the growth of pseudoscience in medicine [...and who] wrote a letter to every vice-chancellor in Australia asking for a review of their health science courses to 'ensure that primacy is given to scientific principles based on experimental evidence' [...examples include] a Graduate Certificate in Medical Acupuncture at Monash University, a Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine at the University of Technology, Sydney, and a Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture and Chinese Manual Therapy) at RMIT University [...] Canberra Institute of Technology: Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy [...] Southern Cross University: Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (majors in complementary medicine, naturopathy, osteopathy) [...] University of Western Sydney: Bachelor of Applied Science (Naturopathic Studies); Graduate Diploma in Naturopathy [...] the National Herbalist Association of Australia has also denounced the campaign to pressure universities and health funds to reject complementary medicine. Association President Leah Hechtman [a naturopath!] said that naturopathic and Western herbal medicine practitioners should be integrated into the healthcare system.  'To achieve this, we need to increase our evidence base which requires university training. Without university training, research opportunities for practitioners and complementary medicines will reduce. To exclude naturopathic and Western herbal medicine courses from undergraduate or post graduate programs at Australian Universities is irresponsible.'"

Note: I'll touch again on what's irresponsible in 004., below.  So much of what's being call pseudoscience is in fact so implausible and mythic that Hechtman is basically calling for the need for researching the characteristics of magic beans and unicorn tears.

004.  my United States addition:

well, I got ripped off [minimally, money via US Federal Loans I now owe for the rest of my life] in quite an irresponsible [I actually prefer the word, minimally, 'criminal'] way.

so, here's a school [vsc 2012-03-04] labeling naturopathy, its homeopathy and acupuncture, and chiropractic "health science."  This bogus science claim is even recorded at Wikipedia [vsc 2012-03-04]. It's the school I went to for an ND that I ceased out of disgust and abuse. What's interesting is that all these graduate programs were created after 1990, approximately.  And it seems immune from the racket they have going on: science subset science-ejected or -unsupported [aka pseudoscience].  Here are some of my class-notes from back in the day!  Here is the current North American naturopathy board exam claiming over all of naturopathy's nonsense, including homeopathy, "science."

Appendage:

there is also The Australian's "Quackery Disguised as Science Harming Unis" (2012-03-04) [vsc 2012-03-04] which has a nice iridology chart included with the article.

Changelog 2012-03-04 & ND Video

here, I summarize this week's additions to my public naturopathy database.  I also link to an ND video each changelog, quote from, and tag the video in some detail:

001. added:

the vitalism of:

*ND Streich to Appendix B.05.i.i.03.;

ND Smith, M. to Appendix B.05.i.i.02.;

North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians to Appendix B.03.;
ND Tam to Appendix B.05.i.k.;

the science claims of:

*ND Streich to Appendix I.05.o.;

ND Said to Appendix I.05.o.;

ND Saine to Appendix I.05.o.;

ND SaltPaw to Appendix I.05.o.;
ND Brustoski to Appendix I.05.b.;
ND Brown to  to Appendix I.05.b.;
ND Branter  to Appendix I.05.b.;
ND Jahn to Appendix I.05.h.;
ND Jensen to Appendix I.05.h.;
ND Johnson to Appendix I.05.h.;
ND Jones, A. to Appendix I.05.h.;
ND Jones, D.D. to Appendix I.05.h.;
NDs Bachewich, Beatty, Hembroff, Klemm, Leppelmann, Morden, Storm to Appendix I.05.b.;
ND Bethune to Appendix I.05.b.;
 NDs Born, Jones, Stagg, Yimoyines to Appendix I.05.b.;
ND Brady to Appendix I.05.b.;
ND Branin to Appendix I.05.b.;

*ND Streich is an interesting microcosm of the whole 'absurdity' aspect of naturopathy: claiming naturopathy is "firmly science-based" yet invoking qi, practicing homeopathy and Unda detoxification for a host of pathologies.;

the vitalism is debunked claims of:

Cahen, D. (PhD NU) and Ginley, D.S. (PhD MIT) to Appendix C.06.b.;

the 'naturopathy is pseudoscience and quackery' claim of:

The Atlantic to Appendix K.07.;

[they also published "A Conversation With David Friedman, Doctor of Naturopathy" in 2011,

by the way, which I thought was TRASH];

002. video of the week link [not to pun]:

the "vital force" 2011 Australian naturopathic movie by Carlos I. Urdiales Salazar ND, currently on Youtube, as "Vital Force Documentary, Rediscovering Health the Natural Way" [saved 2012-02-26; the trailer is here; my tags and excerpts follow the embed link below]:

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#BHSc(Naturopathy) #BHSc(Nat) #iridology #pseudoscience #Australianaturopathy

#homeopathy #evicencebasednonsense #pseudohistory #orgone #pseudobiology

.

According the ND Salazar, the NDs in this film are:

"Amie Steel ND [...] Christine Sinclair N.D. [...] Randa Karzon N.D. [...] David Casteliejn N.D. [...] John Bartlett N.D. [...] Justin Sinclair N.D. [...] Spero Tsindos  N.D. [...] Carlos I. Urdiales Salazar N.D. [...who have on average the degree] BHSc(Naturopathy) [...or] BHSc(Nat) [...or] BHSc(Naturopathy / Nutritional Medicine) [...and such things as] Dip Homeopathy [...] Adv Dip Nat [...] MApplSc(Acu) [...and use such things as] naturopathic diagnostic tools (iridology, nail and tongue analysis) [...and we're told stuff like] I use iridology as part of the initial assessment to gain an insight into the overall functioning of the major body systems and their inter-relationships [per Casteliejn, also said here)...and who speak of such things as] evidence-based naturopathic practice [...] evidence-based clinical practice principles [...and] evidence-based textbooks."

Note: NDs Steel, Casteliejn, and J. Sinclair [who has a "bachelor of health science (naturopathy) with the University of New England" -- therein the claim science subset naturopathy], practice together here.  I believe this is a picture of iridology in process there. ND Steel [and here] sells an "Embrace Holistic Services Homeopathic Birthing Kit" and claims overall science subset naturopathy [vsc both 2012-02-28]; ND Karzon informs us NDs have a "science degree" [saved 2012-02-28].

I am hoping I haven't wrongly attributed a little of what's below.  If so, someone let me know and I'll check it and correct it -- though I'm not really particularly looking forward to watching this ]archived] nuttiness again [my notes are in unquoted bold]:

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"[Carlos I. Urdiales Salazar ND, shown in a white lab coat with a stethoscope, mentions naturopathy's principles including] the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae) [...and asks] is herbal medicine scientific? [...] the aspect that amazed me the most and the whole reason I decided to jump and dive into this topic is that common denominator, that mysterious concept that you can find in every traditional medicine system throughout history [...] this concept [...] pneuma [...] chi [...] ki [...] prana [...] chulel [...] sekem [...] orgone [...a concept] widely used in the world of traditional alternative medicine [...] today it is called vital force [...] this entity [...] what exactly is the vital force?  [...]";

so there we go, a bunch of synonyms for naturopathy's basic concept: HPN = VMN = CD = P = C = K = P = C =S = O = VF = TE = VF!

Justin Sinclair, ND:

"[who has the most ANNOYING set of finger and thumb rings I've ever seen...says vital force is] different for every person  [...] imagine [...] an engine [...needs petrol which] animates the structure [...] without the vital force it [the human body] would not be animated [...and speaks of] the ancient alchemist [...who regarded]  the life force or vital force that animates the physical body [...] when the vital force leaves the body that's when death occurs [...] it is life [...] he gave up the ghost, the vital force that animated the body had left, and therefore the body had died [...] vitality [...]";

so, there are more synonyms: VF = LF = L = G = V.  The emphasis on "anim" reminds me of the lineage of the idea: animism, animatism etc.;

"[he continues] it's not something that can be quantified [...] just because you can't prove it doesn't mean that it doesn't exist [...]";

ah, yes.  That 'I know about it though no measures are possible.'  So, genius, how do you know about it?  Simple: you don't KNOW about it, you imagine it.  By the way, in stating the esoteric / mystical nature of this 'healing power of nature', it therefore is quite improper to label it 'energy'.  Energy is a scientific concept: quantified, existent.  The other aspect of vital force is simply this: there is no need for it to explain ANYTHING in biology!!!  It is a science-ejected archaic place-filler for actual knowledge that is arrived at through analysis;

"[he also asks] is herbal medicine scientific or nonscientific? [...] modern science [...] the scientific method, experimentation, double-blind placebo controlled studies [...] it might not have been to that standard [...yet] to think that science didn't come about until the scientific revolution is nonsense and anyone that tells you this is foolish [...]";

so, this ND who poses in the film that cave men and dinosaurs were coexistent is going to lecture us about the history of science!  So, the actual development of science is annulled, and we're called fools for observing that until science actually came about -- which in truth is rather recent in human history -- what people knew was PRESCIENTIFIC.  How perverse.

"the same ideas, the same concepts that we still hold dear today in the scientific model have been used all the way since Aristotle, the Pythagoreans, and Hippocrates and all of these great minds.  They were scientific minds [...] Hippocrates separated disease from the gods [...via his] scientific method [...so] is it scientific or is it nonscientific?  It's both [...]";

and there we go: the science that is the nonscience actually that is science SOMETIMES.  This is how NDs think: they conflate, the present muddle dual statuses that are needlessly confused.  Simply put: until something is tested by the methods of modern science, it is not simply because you say so...scientific.

"the problem with science is that it has these blinkers on [...]";

yes, there are thing that science does not include.

"[and ironically we're told] there's no place for arrogance in healthcare [...]  I feel so sorry for our medical brethren [...] I can do whatever I want [...]";

hmmm.  Said the arrogant, condescending,  naturopath?

P. Spero Tsindos, ND:

"vital force is an intangible thing, really, but without it you are dead, and Hahnemann said that quite clearly in the Organon [...] this thing of animation [...] all the traditional therapies use that kind of underpinning [...] chi [...] prana [...] innate intelligence [...] in homeopathy what you are doing is you're stimulating the vital force.  The vital force is the thing that is supposed to maintain equilibrium in the body.  Homeostasis [...] you encourage the vital force, you stimulate the vital force to restore balance [...] homeopathy's a nudge [...] enough to stimulate the vital force [...] lo and behold it works";

so, there are more synonyms: VF = TA = C = P = II;

Amie Steel, ND:

"vital force is I guess the energy that infuses all living things.  It's a subtle energy force, it's not something that we have yet got the instruments that clearly measures very well [...] that's not to say it's not there [...from] a biological point of view, it creates that connection, that synergy between cells and allows them to coordinate together and all of that kind of stuff.  That's the vital force [...]";

actually, from a biological point of view it is unnecessary and particularly if it has been unmeasured, it ain't within the biological point of view at all;

 "[she continues] a naturopath I guess in what is the current training of naturopathy is a bachelor level of qualification they are trained as a health practitioner, in clinical medicine, disease, differential diagnosis, anatomy and physiology, all the fundamental basics required for them to be able to competently work with people in a health related area [...] the tools that are utilized [...include] herbal medicine [...] nutritional medicine [...] orthomolecular nutrition [...] iridology [...a] diagnostic tool [and they show an iris chart...] it's build upon this under-pining foundation of understanding the human body, human physiology and those sorts of things [...]";

NDs: highly trained in conflating science and nonsense, and marching on.  Competent????  IRIDOLOGY???;

John Bartlett, ND:

"[vital force is] that innate, internal, regulatory force which drives our spirit, our body, and our emotions and mental functioning [...] vitality, vital force -- you can't find vitality [...] Hippocrates [...] a vital force beyond the physical [...]";

yup.

"[and here's quite an admission] natural medicine has been dogged by a lot of myths and bogus pseudoscience over the years, there's no doubt about that -- and a lot of its deservedly so [...]";

with quite a self-satisfied smile.

Christine Sinclair, ND:

"when we use the concept of vital force this is a term that is synonymous with vitality, or energy, or spirit [...] chi [...] prana [...] life itself [...] energy [...]";

and there we are: spirit = dualistic figmentation.

David Casteleijn, ND:

"[regarding vital force] its very hard to put into words [...] that devalues it [...] words don't really do it justice [...]";

very SCIENTIFIC.

"there is a lot of evidence for things we do: the clinical naturopathy text that was recently published in 2010 [by Sarris and Wardle].  That text is significant evidence of the body of evidence there is to support what we do [...with] over 4000 references [he has a chapter in it...] there's plenty evidence out there [...paraphrasing Lesle Braun] 'for someone to say that there isn't evidence supporting what we do you either have to be not looking or you don't want to look because it is there' [...]";

quite the science claim.

Randa Karzon, ND:

"their vitality [...] energy [...] chi [...] this is where naturopaths specifically will actually hone in on the state of a person's vitality [...and a disease like] psoriasis [...apparently is due to someone being] repulsed at who they are [...their] negative thought [...] it manifests."

end of film notes.

.

Changelog 2012-02-26 & ND Video

here, I summarize this week's additions to my public naturopathy database.  I also link to an ND's video each changelog, quote from, and tag the video in some detail:

001. added:

the vitalism of:

the University of Washington to Appendix B.01.c.;

 the Virginia Association of Naturopathic Physicians to Appendix B.03.;

the science claims of:

NUHS to Appendix I.01.a6.;

mildly revised

"Naturopathy's Electrodermal Screening [Pseudo]"Science" - Hopkins, C. (ND FNUN)";

002. video of the week link [not to pun]:

Illinois naturopath Tony Koufos in the approximately 30 minute video "Naturopath, Iridologist, Reflexologist, Dr." [vsc 2012-02-21; partial transcription is after the embed link]:

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Video streaming by Ustream

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#tonykoufos #ionicfootbath #reflexology #iridology #urinetherapy #naturalhealing

#rifemachine #reflexologyboots #hitler'schiefsurgeongeneral #parasites #lifeforces

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who states [my comments are in quote-less bold]:

"[from the description] Tony Koufos, ND [...will provide] information on naturopathic medicine treatments, alternative and complementary medicine and treatments for various diseases naturally with herbs, ionic foot baths to delete toxins, boots for pressure points and other modalities of natural methods of medicine for epilepsy, cancer, toxic illness etc. in Glendale Heights, Illinois, Homewood, Illinois and Lansing Illinois with Dr. Tony Koufos. Websites: Pathtonaturalhealth.com. Phone 630 637 8403 .219 696 5615. for info. or get info at Americantvproductions.com email: TonyKoufos@yahoo.com or asktvnurse@yahoo.com [...]";

yes, naturopathic medicine for DISEASES and ionic detox foot nonsense!

"[the video host Karon Gibson; KG] Dr. Tony Koufos [...is] a naturopath [...who will give today an] educational seminar on what he does as a naturopath doctor, on what he does as a reflexologist, on what he does as an iridologist [...]";

yes, three great woos: naturopathy reflexology, iridology!

"[TK, this is] how I got into natural healing [...] it started when I was about 6 years old [...] I was walking home from grade school [...] I fell off this fence and cut my leg [...] I went home and told my father [...]  and my dad, with a forth grade education from Europe took me in the bathroom and had me urinate in a little cup and [on] a little cotton ball [he] dabbed it in that open wound and took three band-aids and taped it shut [instead of stitches...this was] a friendlier way to solve a problem [...for] solving health issues [...]";

wow.  Simply WOW!  Wait: yuk too.

"[TK] I got into natural health [...] natural healing [...] reflexology [...] which is acupressure on the feet and acupressure on the hands [...and] ear [...relating to] all the organs in the body [...] naturopathy [...] naturopathic studies [...] body electronics [...]";

I'm wondering what body electronics he's talking about?  Perhaps Hulda Clark?  Rife?

"iridology [...] this particular wonderful science.  And its a science of the iris of the eye to see the neural reflexes to all the organs in the body.  Organs and systems.  And with that we can find out what's going on in the body.  What organs are under stress [...and] cell health [...it's] a common science throughout the world [...]";

ye old 'it is science' bullshit.

"when we look into the iris of the eye [...] you can see that many things in the iris of the eye [...] I applied the reflexology aspect with the iridology [...] I would look in the eye and see a lung issue then I would go to the foot to relate it to the person, to push on the area of the lungs which would be right about here on the plantar part of the foot [...] in most cases that particular reflex would be sensitive [...and he also uses] tongue analysis [...and] facial analysis [...and treats with herbs in] megadose [...]";

of course!

"anything that I do is not new.  Reflexology is in the physician's tomb in Egypt 2300 BC [...] nothing new under the sun [...] iridology has been around for centuries also [...and speaks of validation of iridology by way of] Hitler's chief surgeon general [...proving] the truth of iridology relating to the organs in the body [...]";

these are really NOT strong supports for this junk!

"when we read the iris of the eye we see how everything is doing  [...] a lot of things that have kind of been touted as not being solvable or curable worldwide are [...addressed and cured] naturally [...like] epileptic fits";

quite a promise.

"[and he mentions] parasites [...and] constipation [...and] reabsorbing toxins [...through the] colon [...and] fresh and raw [food...for] enzymes [...and] life forces";

of course, this is NATUROPATHY after all.

"[for] reflexology [...] I have developed a compression apparatus [...] these boots [...] in ten minutes its equivalent to a full hour of hand work [...] and some interesting vibrators [...to improve] nerve and blood supply";

an Edison!

"[KG] you also have a Rife machine [...TK] yes [...to treat by] frequency [...KG] you also have an ionic foot bath that can take toxins out of your system [...TK] yes and that actually will help to draw out toxins [...for] a detox through the feet [...KG] this is natural healthcare";

Note: will I ever be able to TOP this video?

University of Bridgeport Naturopathy Recruitment Advertising 2012 - I-95 Orange, CT

Just happened to notice this on I-95 here in Connecticut today:

Note: knowing all I know about the absurdity of naturopathy, I'm not sure how a student-customer-consumer builds a healthy future within the false posture of 'science subset health science subset naturopathy subset clinical science subset NONSCIENCE / SCIENCE-EJECTED'.  Sounds more like the naturopathillogical!

Not the best picture, but I did shoot it at night from a distance.  Add it to the collection!

Excerpts From an Interview of Friends of Science in Medicine's Rob Morrison on The Token Skeptic Podcast

here, I've transcribed from a recent skeptical podcast, which I highly recommend you give a listen to in its complete version, and then I comment:

001. Kylie Sturgess, host of The Token Skeptic Podcast and "philosophy teacher and student of psychology", states in "Episode One Hundred And Six – On Friends Of Science In Medicine – Interview With Dr Rob Morrison" (2012-02-08; vsc 2012-02-19) (for the mp3, click here; saved 2012-02-19) [my notes are within the hard brackets]:

"[the written description states] I’m a student at a university that offers courses in alternative medicine [...e.g.] homeopathy, reflexology, naturopathy and the like [...] this leads me to be concerned that there’s graduates from my school believing that their these courses are fully endorsed by the scientific community at large [...but] recently there’s been a number of scientists and supporters of science who have been voicing their concerns [...called] Friends of Science in Medicine [...which] includes more than 400 prominent scientists, doctors, academics and consumer advocates from Australia and overseas [...they've written about] their concerns about what they called the 'diminishing of the standards applied to the teaching of science in our universities' and 'the increased teaching of pseudoscience' [...she interviews] one of the founding members of Friends of Science in Medicine [...] Dr Rob Morrison [who] is the National Vice-President of the Australian Science Communicators, a patron of National Science Week [in] South Australia and a Freelance Science writer / Broadcaster and Professorial Fellow [at] Flinders University  [...]

[the audio states: RM] we formed Friends of Science in Medicine in December [2011...] to get universities to clean their act up [...as they're offering] things that are called science which patently are not.  They're pseudoscience or at best they're antiscience or nonscience [...] we have sent letters to all the vice-chancellors asking them to affirm their support for science courses being evidence based [...which is, and this may attest to JUST HOW ABSURD THINGS HAVE BECOME GLOBALLY] the definition of science.  It's evidence based and tested [...FSM would like universities] not to prostitute the name of the sciences that they offer [hear hear!...by posing] a lot of these things called health sciences which are anything but [...e.g.] chiropractors, and osteopaths, iridology and reflexology [...] they should not be billed as scientifically valid [...] we don't want to see things offered as scientifically valid which are simply not and which indeed can't be [...e.g.] homeopathy is as crack-pot as you can get [and remember naturopathy in North America claims homeopathy is a science...and other] things which are demonstrably not true and have been shown to be not effective [...e.g.] the most outlandish stuff [...] there's always a mysterious energy involved you can't define and you can't test for [naturopathy has their vital force...either] passing from hands to people or running up and down their spine or zapping about from their iris to their organs [...] this energy that you can't define or detect [...] way-out nonsensical stuff [...host] do you think the university students are encouraged to think this way? [RM] you bet they are [...e.g.] Southern Cross University [...who] protest that their stuff is evidence based but if you go and look at their course on naturopathy,  dead-center you find homeopathy [they are fused...which is] absolutely fanciful.  It's been put to the test and found completely wanting [...and SCU graduates are out practicing] iridology, and reflexology, and acupuncture and everything like that [...] don't tell me that they're not doing it and don't tell me that it's evidence based.  It's not [...it's] pseudoscience under the name of science, particularly under the name of health science [I went to a school false just like that...targeting] some of the most vulnerable people in the country [the ill, and I'd add also the young trying to find an occupation...and he encourages discussion of] what exactly does evidence based mean [...] it all needs to be discussed [...actual science begins with] a factual hypothesis [...then an] explanatory hypothesis [...then] a theory [...but] the trouble is with pseudoscience it goes the other way [...beginning with a] completely fanciful theory of mysterious energies and subluxations [...] that you can't define, or locate, or detect [...that's therein] not testable [ ...or has been tested and is] completely erroneous [...so pseudoscience has]  a theory that explains the facts that don't exist [...working] back to front.  And that's a faith, that's not a science. That's a faith [...] it's absurd that we've just got the Nobel Prize in Australia [...] and a third of them are teaching pseudoscience in their health courses."

Note: I've grabbed here what stood out most for me this morning, though I've slightly reordered the excerpts. The most striking aspect of this all, to me, is the description by Dr. Morrison that pseudoscience is "a faith" or we may even say a "belief system".  And so I'll reiterate an old favorite of mine from, believe it or not, 1889's Popular Science Monthly which states:

"science is never sectarian [...] sectarian teaching begins when you ask a man or a child to assume what can not be proved [or has been disproven!!!], for the sake of keeping within the dogmatic lines that fence round some particular creed."

Now, here in North America (USA and Canada) naturopathy poses itself as science-based when actually based upon a science-ejected sectarian context.  I've written about that for years here on this blog and informed supposed overseeing authorities.  But, the racket continues and I regard this all as a rip-off and a human rights violation of high order.

002. the vision statement of FSM, by the way [saved 2012-02-20] seeks as a goal:

"to reverse the current trend which sees government-funded tertiary institutions offering health care 'science' courses not based on scientific principles nor supported by scientific evidence" including "unproven alternative therapies [...like] homeopathy, iridology, naturopathy, acupuncture and 'energy medicine'" which are "pseudoscientific courses which undermine the credibility of those universities."  

Hear, hear.

And, incidentally, here is a list of FSM's supporters.

Australian Naturopath Hechtman Labels the Proper Labeling of Naturopathic Nonsense "Irresponsible"

here, I cite from a recent Australian web article and then comment:

001. agedcareinsite.com.au states in "Educators Spar on Complementary Medicine" [vsc 2012-02-19]:

"[as reported by Jennifer Bennett] NHAA president [and naturopath!] Leah Hechtman [...] who lectures in naturopathy at the University of Western Sydney [...wants] naturopathic and Western herbal medicine [...] integrated into the Australian health system [...] 'to exclude naturopathic and Western herbal medicine courses from undergraduate or postgraduate programs at Australian universities is irresponsible' [...and] that teaching at a university level also ensured quality practitioners [...] 'in order to safeguard the public, practitioners of these modalities [practices] need to be part of the same rigorous training and education as other health professionals' [...and at UWS the naturopathic program is] 'heavily evidence based [...] the equivalent of a health science degree [...of] health science quality [...] it’s all backed up by laboratory evidence and clinical trials' [...versus] Dr John Dwyer, co-founder of the Friends of Science in Medicine (FSM) [...said] 'we’re not complaining about universities doing research. What we’re complaining about is giving credibility to belief systems that are common in alternative and complementary therapies for which there is no evidence to support – things such as homeopathy, reflexology, iridology, healing touch therapy, energy medicine and the belief that chiropractic is related to an energy force [vitalism!] in the spinal cord. We don’t want the universities [to be] allowing these ideas to be presented as if there was an evidence base where there is none [in other words, FSM is against FRAUDULENT KNOWLEDGE CLAIMS / for the proper labeling of nonsense!].'"

Note: yes, UWS labels naturopathy academically / commercially broadly: "science" [vsc 2012-02-19].

002. oh where to begin?

To integrate is to BLEND, essentially.  And to mislabel is to miseducate / and rip-off, in my view.  What does naturopathy do?  It blends science with nonscience and then mislabels the whole thing science -- and takes your treasure along the way.  That is not rigorous or professional, or even legal commerce: that is a mindfuck [MF; pardon my French] and racket.  For instance, as part of the MF, naturopathy's contents at UWS includes iridology [vsc 2012-02-19].  Lets call this picture "science subset naturopathy subset iridology":

So, in presenting what is patently science-ejected [e.g., that the iris represents the body homuncularly!!!] as science, I do believe it is naturopathy itself that is being quite irresponsible [and I'm being polite -- because when you pursue this falsely labeled path like I did in North America, you've not only lost time, and wasted effort, the loans taken out are with you for life].  The nerve to then imply that such an apparatus leads to QUALITY and consumer protection!!!  Well, I own Hechtman's 2011 naturopathy text [ASIN B005R102LO].  Don't ask me why I was willing to shell out $88 for the Kindle copy, but I did.  It gets to the heart of naturopathy, being that it is posed as a foundational 'textbook'.  Now, without huge detail right now, the terms "evidence-based" has 82 occurrences, homeopathy 7, homeopathic 10, iridology 17, vital force 16 [minimally].  Ha!  Here's a screen-capture of 'the essential naturopathic context'.  I call it "vitalistic context of all naturopathy" [from location 15421]:

Note: "heavily evidence based" and "quality" science?  Hmmm, such [iridology, vitalism] is GROSSLY SCIENCE-EJECTED.  Naturopathy is TRULY, the reversal of all values.

Butler's ISBN 0763793396 978-0763793395 (2012) on Naturopathy

here, I cite from a 2012 consumer protection book's entry on naturopathy published by Jones and Bartlett Learning: 

Butler, J.T. (EdD {health ed.} UT) states in "Consumer Health: Making Informed Decisions" (2012; ISBN 0763793396 978-0763793395):

"'naturopathic medicine' or 'natural medicine' [...] according to Barrett (2003), naturopathy is largely a pseudoscientific approach.  It fails to meet the standards most people would require of the practice of medicine, including scientific evidence of effectiveness and a long period of training of practitioners based on scientific principles [...] practitioners claim that diseases are the body's effort to purify itself and that cures result from increasing the body's 'vital force' [p.114...] the notion of vitalism, also referred to as 'vital force' or 'life force', originated in ancient times and is the basis for a number of alternative therapies including naturopathy.  There is no scientific evidence supporting vitalism.  In fact, science, including organic chemistry, contradicts it [p.115...] unscientific naturopathic beliefs pose irrational challenges to proven public health measures, and irrational unscientific beliefs and practices, which are standards in the field, abound in naturopathy [p.116]."

Note: hear, hear.

Changelog 2012-02-19 & ND Video

here, I summarize this week's additions to my public naturopathy database.  I also link to an ND's video each changelog, quote from, and tag the video in some detail:

001. added:

the vitalism of:

ND Scurtu to Appendix B.05.i.i.00., 

ND Bradley to Appendix B.05.i.a.05.,

ND Branter to Appendix B.05.i.a.05.;
NCNM to Appendix B.01.a.39.;

the science claims of :

the Colorado Association of Naturopathic Physicians to Appendix I.03. [revised],

ND Kontomerkos to Appendix I.05.i.,

NDs Koloski and Plummer to Appendix I.05.i.,

NDs Kolbo and Peterson to Appendix I.05.i.,

ND Kelly to Appendix I.05.i., 

NDs Kelchner and Phoebus to Appendix I.05.i.,

NDs Keats and Stiles Green to Appendix I.05.i., 

ND Keaton to Appendix I.05.i.,

ND Kaumeyer to Appendix I.05.i.,

ND Katahdin to Appendix I.05.i.,

ND Kassam to Appendix I.05.i.,

ND Kannankeril to Appendix I.05.i.,

ND Kane to Appendix I.05.i.,

NDs Kaganovsky to Appendix I.05.i.,

ND Kane to Appendix I.05.i.,

ND Karatzas to Appendix I.05.i.,

NDs Kaushik to Appendix I.05.i.;

002. video of the week link [not to pun!]:

002.a. the applied kinesiology of Wheeler, B. (ND NCNM) and Domby, G. (DC ?) in "What Is Applied Kinesiology? Muscle Testing Seminars And Holistic Health In Seattle, WA - part 2" [2012-02-14]:

.

.

"[the description states] Dr. Gary Domby, DC and Dr. Barry Wheeler, ND show you how applied kinesiology can help you and your patients get better holistic health by asking you body what it needs."

.

#appliedkinesiology #idiomotoreffect #holisticnonsense

.

002.b. ND Wheeler also states in "What is Applied Kinesiology?" [vsc 2012-02-18]:

"almost anything is possible with applied kinesiology [...] the actual muscle test is both an art and a science [...used] to check for food sensitivities, meridian imbalances, right and left brain switching, what the best supplements for you are, how memories and thoughts affect you, and more [really!!!]."

#pseudodiagnosis #panacea #pseudoscience

ANTA, NHAA, FOSM Collide: sCAM Claims Friends of Science in Medicine "Misinformed" and the Science-Ejected is Scientific

here are excerpts from a recent Canberra Times article wherein the Australian Natural Therapists Association [ANTA] tells us that a preponderance of scientists are uninformed about sCAM's contents (and science!) [see 001., below]; then, I go to the web page and textbook of the National Herbalists Association of Australia [NHAA] president-naturopath Leah Hechtman and look at some of sCAM's innards [see 002., below]:

001. in the Canberra Times article "Assessing the Alternatives" (2012-02-18) [my comments are the bold black-lettered paragraphs; my notes are in brackets and emphases in red]:

"[Peter Jean reports] doctor attacks on complementary therapies [what I call sCAM aka 'so-called complementary and alternative medicine'] have been intensifying but national regulation schemes are being implemented [...because] Australians [...] can be left uncertain about the qualifications of a person claiming to be a naturopath, herbal medicine practitioner or wellness adviser [...] professional groups representing other complementary and alternative health providers, such as naturopaths and herbalists, are pushing to be brought under national registration schemes as soon as possible to help ensure consistent standards are maintained and to give the public peace of mind [...] National Herbalists Association of Australia president Leah Hechtman [a naturopath!!!...says] 'it has to happen because we all have to be mindful of the safety of the public and for that they need to have a registered profession' [...and] Australian Natural Therapists Association chief executive Brian Coleman agrees with the need for national registration";

So, HOW HAS SUCH INSTITUTIONALIZATION WORKED ELSEWHERE?  In my view, "national regulation schemes" [how IRONIC, how about we call them rackets instead!] and 'required supposed professional qualifications' = regulated nonsense immune from the basic laws of fair commerce. Such imprimaturs end up legally protecting FALSEHOOD, as in North America!  Example: the hub of naturopathy's revival is the State of Oregon.  Here's their GOVERNMENT web page on naturopathy claiming that nonsense [like: belief in vitalism, homeopathy as powerful, overall 'naturopathy's innards'] survives rigorous scientific analysis (here, archived here)!  This benefits the public???  No: it protects 'the naturopathillogical'.

"the urgency of their desire to be regulated has only been increased by recent attacks by a group of doctors, scientists and medical researchers against university alternative health courses which the group - Friends of Science in Medicine [FOSM] - says lack scientific credibility [...] Coleman rejects criticism by Friends of Science in Medicine about some courses [...] 'there's plenty of evidence and science to support those courses [...] I think they were misinformed when they made those statements";

Ah, yes, the REVERSE accusation. Versus:

"Friends of Science in Medicine was founded recently by leading health reform proponent John Dwyer [...and] represents the first time that the scientific medical community has had a powerful lobby group to speak out against pseudo-science [...he says] 'I got really interested in how in this most scientific of all ages you can protect consumers from healthcare fraud, misleading information [...] we have a number of our universities that are presenting what we call pseudo-science to their students as if there was an evidence base to support it and we want that stopped' [...like] practitioners of homeopathy, reflexology, iridology, healing touch and suppliers of crystals at the end of the bed";

Note: overall,  it is quite in the interest of sCAM to by-pass evidence and science and skip right to the 'we're State-endorsed so criticism is NOW moot' because they can't hold up to scientific scrutiny therein the answer is.......political.

Similarly, Australian NDs will be protected from claims against their iridology bunkum just as NDs in North America are protected from claims against their homeopathy bunkum!  The standards are not 'how claims objectively compare to modern medical science standards' but instead are 'within our false standard of what science supports aka our sectarian point of view, lets all get on the same page and get legal protection'!

002. naturopath Leah Hechtman of NHAA [vsc 2012-02-17] states:

002.a. on her bio. page [vsc 2012-02-17]:

the credential: "bachelor of health science (naturopathy) [...] advanced diploma of naturopathy [...] certificate of iridology";

the services:  "naturopathy [...] homoeopathy [homeopathy!]."

Note: so there's the claim science subset health science subset naturopathy subset iridology and homeopathy. Balderdash! Hechtman and the NHAA has provided all kinds of argumentation in response to FOSM, except, of course, science and evidence.  An argument from popularity 'does not maketh a science'.  They speak of "evidence based  practice" -- but they don't start from EVIDENCE and SCIENCE.  They begin from sectarian assumptions / beliefs / methods science has truly discarded [see 002.b., below].

002.b. in her 2011 naturopathic textbook "Clinical Naturopathic Medicine" (ISBN 0729538850 9780729538855) regarding naturopathy, iridology, homeopathy and science:

"what is modern Australian naturopathy? [...] naturopathy in Australia came to represent the practice of herbal medicine and nutrition with [...such things as] iridology [...and] homeopathy [...and we're told they've magically] placed them within the framework of modern science and medicine [p.006...] iridology provides insight into a patient's constitution and areas of weakness, tension or toxicity [p.030...] botany, iridology, nutritional medicine and mineral therapies [...are] all building blocks of knowledge necessary for the contemporary professional herbalist [p.031...] organ sluggishness and toxicity are commonly seen in the iris [p.233...] naturopathic diagnosis [...includes] iridology [...and] tongue analysis [p.261...] naturopathy [...is] within the context of modern scientific knowledge [...and includes] homeopathy [p.422...it is a] vitalistic approach [p.036...and yet we're told overall its] 'the science of naturopathy [p.512...naturopathy has] the primary goal of supporting and body's own innate ability to heal (vitality, life force, vis medicatrix naturae) [p.212]";

Note: fascinating claim of science subset 'naturopathy's innards' [iridology, homeopathy, vitalism etc. -- all of which are profoundly science-ejected archaic sectarian or simply ABSURD woo-woo].

To quote the Australian music group Midnight Oil...."feel the tin roof shake"!!!

Bastyr University's San Diego Campus Received Accreditation

here, I repost a Facebook notice that I recently received:

001. the AANMC writes:

Note: licensed falsehood marches on!  Proving, once again, that there ain't no due diligence on the part of the higher education realm in terms of its contents.

And, there is no consumer protection either:

I highly recommend the AANMC site as an example of naturopathic nonsense, wherein the completely science-ejected [like homeopathy] is falsely labeled science-based.

 

Changelog 2012-02-12 & ND Video

here, I summarize this week's additions to my public naturopathy database.  I also link to an ND's video each changelog, quote from, and tag the video in some detail:

001. added:

         the vitalism of:

ND Hinchey to Appendix B.05.i.c.03.,

many bio. links to Appendix B.05.i.c.03.;

         the science claims of:

ND Quinn to Appendix I.05.n.,

many bio. links to Appendix I.05.n.;

002. video of the week link [not to pun]:

Colorado Association of Naturopathic Doctor's Sutton, M. (ND SCNM) states 

in "Naturopathy 101 - Tools and Techniques" [vsc 2012-02-11]:

.

.

 "pulse diagnosis [...] is a way to measure the vitality of the body [vitalism!...it's] not for their heart rate, not for the strength of their heart or how well its functioning [...] your are feeling for more a sense of their vitality [...and] which organ systems might be out of balance [really!...and its] a way to fine-tune what you are choosing for someone as supplement or as a therapy to make sure its going to match their body's energies [vitalism, spiritism whatever woo!] because the body is an energetic system.  Sometimes I use little magnets to put over acupuncture points or over organ systems to kind of stimulate those systems to kind of help bring in energy to the system. Sometimes I use a device called an activator [...] and I'll use it over nerve points along the back";

#supplements #activator #pulsediagnosis #magnets #weirdshakinghand #pseudodiagnostics #archaicvitalism #prescientific

Note: Chirobase has an article on the activator technique.  Apparently, it is quite woo-ful to use an activator at all USUALLY [as chiropractic is]. I can only say that ND Sutton has taken activator usage into a further UNUSUAL / dubious therapeutic direction.  Looks to me like a parlor gimmick too, like pulse diagnosis. This stuff is so ancient, superstitious or quacky what else is there to say?  He seems to have lots of supplements to sell directly, too.   They are, after all, his backdrop for the videos.  And of course, if you watch the video, the question of all questions is: WHAT'S UP WITH THE WEIRD SHAKING HAND???  I mean, they REALLY want you to see his weird shaking hand in the video.  Are we supposed to be somehow in AWE, like being in the presence of an epileptic king just before his healing touch?  It's actually quite a humorous coincidence that his hand is the video's still image.

  And by the way, yes, that CoAND link above claims 'science subset medical science subset naturopathy subset homeopathy'.  They've been doing that for years.

Representing Naturopathy Opaquely: Vancouver NDs Lescanec and Vayali

here, I illustrate naturopathy's typical communication pattern: selectively representing itself without true transparency regarding its context [see 001., below]; then I go the the NDs' alma maters to reveal the whole truth [see 002., below]:

001. the Vancouver Observer states as "sponsored content" [aka an ad] in "Cleansing with Naturopathic Medicine at Hollyhock this June!" [vsc 2012-02-12]:

"naturopathic doctors Dr. Heidi Lescanec [NCNM 2003] & Dr. Thara Vayali [BINM 2011...will help you] expand your 'clean food' culinary repertoire [...] naturopathic medicine is rooted in six main principles: [#1] first, do no harm - experienced guides can ensure that you choose techniques that are safe for your body; [#2] nature is a healing power - nature comes to the forefront as a healing power [HPN] in the beautiful venue of Hollyhock, combined with using natural therapies and eating clean, nutritious food."

Note: and that's all you are told.

002. lets go to their schools for what HPN means:

002.a. via NCNM:

we learn that HPN is the science-ejected context of vitalism.  This is the absurd page wherein we're told of the sectarian basis = vitalism = spiritism of naturopathy and that such survives rigorous scientific scrutiny.

002.b. via BINM:

we don't learn that HPN is the science-ejected context of vitalism.  Instead, we're told naturopathy is -- quite falsely -- "evidence-based" [vsc 2012-02-12] aka evidence-based subset naturopathy subset homeopathy.  Their vitalism is here, of course, buried in their web pages but not transparently communicated on their own actual definition page.

Note: NCNM is, of course, the trunk of the naturopathic tree, and therein, the Rosetta Stone one should use to decode naturopathic disgusting opacity!

The Essentially Shifty Naturopathic via Cranio-Sacral Therapy: ND Mackler Decoded as a Key to ND Mackler Coded

here, I illustrate what naturopathy is essentially all about.  First, there is the opaque iteration of naturopathy that so usually codes its actual contents in what I'll call naturalistic language [see 001.a., below].  Then, there is the transparent iteration of naturopathy that provides naturopathy's full science-ejected context in full regalia [see 001.b., below].  What's interesting is that these versions are authored by the same NCNM ND who makes absurd and imaginary claims about cranio-sacral therapy [CST; see 002., below for criticism of CST]:

001. Mackler, J. (ND NCNM 2005) states:

001.a. in "Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2012-02-07]:

"naturopathic physicians such as Dr. Mackler define themselves by their philosophy and principles [...] the principles of naturopathic medicine are: [#1] healing power of nature: the body has the inherent ability to maintain and restore health. The physician's role is to support and augment this process [...#3] first do no harm: illness is a natural process. Symptoms are the body's expression of that process [...] if you are interested in finding out more about our education please go to the National College of Naturopathic Medicine website at www.NCNM.edu [now known as National College of Natural Medicine]."

Note: and that's all you get from this ND's own web iteration of naturopathy's context.  But, she has written about that context differently / in more detail other-wheres [see 001.b., below].

001.b. in "Cranio-Sacral Therapy: Gentle but Profound Healing" [vsc 2012-02-07]:

"every living being is filled with a 'life force' [vitalism! she has more here] that affects all aspects of our health [really!].  Different healing traditions call this invigorating energy by different names.  Naturopathic physicians call it the 'vis medicatrix naturae,' which means 'the healing power of nature.' Chinese medicine practitioners call it the 'qi' (pronounced 'chee'), which is often translated simply as 'energy.'  No matter what you name it, this positive energy helps us to grow and thrive, as well as to fight infections and heal injuries [really!].  Cranio-sacral therapy [CST] accesses and balances that energy to assist you in optimizing your health. Cranio-sacral therapy is a gentle yet powerful [similar to naturopathy's claim that homeopathy is subtle yet powerful!] form of body work."

Note: so, there you go.  Opacity compared to transparency.  You can verify this iteration's context at NCNM's own definitions page.  Plus, look up this vitalism in relation to science and you will see that it is SCIENCE-EJECTED, yet naturopathy continues to claim an overarching science status.  I'm always intrigued as to why NDs don't usually put all their sectarian cards on the table when it comes to the beliefs they actually are all about.  They engage in evasion instead, most often. People say 'oh, they're natural' quite naively, but really, truly so often, 'they're science-ejected, sectarian, trained manipulators.'

002. regarding CST [quite a manipulation!]:

last year I posted about CST [excerpt]:

"the Craniosacral Therapy Association of the UK [...calls it] 'a subtle and profound healing form' [...] CST practitioners believe that they can 'listen with their hands' to up to three separate cranial rhythms [...] around the brain and spinal column and by doing so, diagnose a wide range of conditions — both physical and emotional and many of a serious medical nature [...then they treat] by [supposedly] gently manipulating the bones that make up the skull and sometimes the spine [...] to help to heal these conditions [...] what's the evidence? [...] the mechanism by which CST practitioners claim they can detect the rhythms of cerebrospinal fluid and by which they claim to influence the body into healing itself are biologically implausible [...and] no robust evidence has been produced that would validate these claimed mechanisms [...] there is no good evidence that CST is effective for any condition."

Note: something silly falsely claimed as diagnostic and efficacious = naturopathy.  When I was in ND school around 2000, I was first exposed to CST on campus at a regional naturopathic conference here in New England.  The patient's laid flat on their backs. The practitioner supported the head of the patient in the palms of their hands. To sum it up, I realized then that I was surrounded by a lot of idiots -- basically.