Changelog 2012-03-18 and 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 science claims of:

ND Engelbrecht to Appendix I.05.e.;

NDs Entner and Spooner to Appendix I.05.e.;

NCNM to Appendix I.01.a5.;

ND Lin to Appendix I.05.j.;

the 'naturopathy is pseudoscience and quackery' claim of:

Berdanier (ISBN 0849327059 9780849327056) to Appendix K.00.;

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

Presenting the iridology of Australian naturopath Julieann Howie in "Seatedmassage - Julieann Howie, Naturopath, speaks about Iridology" [posted 2012-02-24; vsc 2012-03-11]:

.

.

She states:

"iridology is where I look into your eyes and tell you the strengths and weaknesses of your whole body system [...including] personalities, constitutions [...] we look at the structure and we look at the colors and that gives us a huge insight into many areas of your whole personality, your whole health, weaknesses, strengths, what can be enhanced, what needs to be really monitored and looked after.  The eyes shows us the inside to you."

Some tags I'd add:

#bogus #pseudodiagnostic #homunculus #homunculurfalsebelief

Homeopathy's a sCAM - SGU #348 via Richard Saunders:

here, I provide a very partial transcript of a recent Skeptics Guide to the Universe episode regarding Friends of Science in Medicine and Australian homeopathy:

001. "The Skeptics Guide #348 - Mar 17 2012" states:

"[the section is titled] Defending Science in Australia [...and begins at 00.22.40]

[per Richard Saunders] the Friends of Science in Medicine [...] a group of concerned scientists and citizens [...concerning] the ongoing waste of time and money and resources [...] courses in [...] nonsense.  And I don't use that term lightly [...] hardcore nonsense [..] iridology, homeopathy, reiki, reflexology [which is hugely 'what naturopaths do in Australia!!!'...] Australian Skeptics [...] think this is a wonderful idea [...] we are supporting them [...] but what an important initiative it is and man haven't the opposition, the quacks, been quacking loudly about this [...] the alternative medicine [...like] homeopaths [...offering] false balance [...aka] the flat earth [...claiming it's] scientifically proven [...and] effective [...it's usually a] Gish galloping [...but specifically regarding homeopathy] there's nothing in it [...it] has no ingredients [...] it's a lie, it's a sham, it's a scam [or you could say sCAM, 'so called complementary and alternative MEDICINE'].  If it were any other product it would be illegal to do this [...but] homeopathy gets a free pass  [medicine without medicine! -- 'so-called']

[...Steve Novella] why is this being supported and taught as if it were legitimate in universities? It becomes an issue of academic standards

[...RS] they're failing to uphold the standards of science 

[...and SN mentions the] utter pseudoscientific nonsense that your university is teaching."

Note: not new ground, but interesting.  Hear, hear.

Google+ - Twitter - Storify: CTCA, ND Anderson, and My Question 'On Naturopathy Pseudoscience'

here, I cite from the recent Cancer Treatment Centers of America [CTCA] "Twitterview with Katherine Anderson" [see 001., below]; then, I cite the question I asked during that interview and the answer I directly received [see 002., below]; and finally, I parse the nonsense that is 'the essentially naturopathic' [see 003., below]:

001. the Twitterview [as in interview] on 2012-03-14:

001.a. CTCA had stated on Google+:

 "[it reads] join us for our Twitterview with Katherine Anderson Dir. Naturopathic Medicine at CTCA Tulsa which has just started using hashtag #ctcachat. Don't forget we will be giving away a merchandise credit for CNCA supplements to one person who asks a question during the Twitterview [...] CTCA will be hosting a Twitterview with Katherine Anderson, Director of Naturopathic Medicine at CTCA in Tulsa on Wednesday March 14th at 1:30 CST to discuss the role of naturopath...".

Note: CNCA supplements?  I don't need them, and I didn't win them...boo-hoo!  But supplements?   That CTCA business is here.  $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!

001.b. which directed to "Twitterview with Katherine Anderson¸ ND, FABNO, Director of Naturopathic Medicine at CTCA in Tulsa" [vsc 2012-03-14] which stated:

"CTCA will be hosting a Twitterview with Katherine Anderson, Director of Naturopathic Medicine at CTCA in Tulsa [...] to discuss the role of naturopathic medicine in cancer treatment [...] topics discussed will include: How to deal with side effects of cancer treatment using naturopathic medicine?; What are the possible benefits of acupuncture for cancer patients?; What benefits do supplements offer during and after cancer treatment?; We will ask [I think they meant answer] your questions about naturopathic medicine, as well [...] or more information about Katherine Anderson, please visit http://bit.ly/y1yVNv."

Note: ye old naturopathic oncologist and quackupuncture!

001.c. that CTCA bit.ly link leads to CTCA's "Katherine Anderson, ND, FABNO – Director of Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2012-03-17] which states:

"Katherine Anderson [...] joined the Naturopathic Medicine Department at Southwestern in 2004 [...and is now] the Director of Naturopathic Medicine at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Southwestern Regional Medical Center [...has a] team of naturopaths [...including] Katrina A. Bogdon, ND, FABNO [...] Aisha Chilcoat, MJ, ND [...] Shana Deneen, ND, LAc [...]  Samantha Hoang, ND [...] Daniel Kellman, ND, FABNO [...] Heidi Kussman, ND, FABNO [...] Lucas Tims, ND [...]";

The respective schools that these NDs / NMDs come from are:

CCNM (NDs Anderson, Kussman),

NCNM (ND Bogdon),

SCNM NDs Chilcoat, Deneen, Kellman, Tims),

NUHS (ND Hoang).

"[and they use] natural therapies, such as nutritional supplementation, botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, and counseling [...] naturopathic treatment plans include natural health products and therapeutics [...and] acupuncture and acupressure treatments [...] Anderson says her overall goal is to 'provide patients with a clear and concise understanding of naturopathic medicine and for them to feel supported in using natural therapies as a powerful part of their cancer fighting plan' [...]";

Now, we know homeopathy is pure bunkum as a therapeutic, and is it considered ethical to sell supplements straight to the patient?  Powerful?  Homeopathy powerful?  Powerful empty remedies.

"[she's a] Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology (FABNO) [...]";

Yes, oncology.

"CTCA operates the only cancer hospitals in the United States that offer a Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) certified residency program, sponsored through Bastyr University [...]";

Ah, Bastyr.

"[and the page speaks of ND Anderson's] personal commitment to patient care and education [...] she has served as the president of the Oklahoma Association of Naturopathic Physicians [...and] the exceptional care CTCA provides patients [...]";

Do they care to tell us the truth about naturopathy though?  See 003., below. 

001.d. the embedded video from that page above states [vsc 2012-03-15]:

"[in its description] Katherine Anderson, ND, FABNO. Meet Katherine Anderson, the Director of Naturopathic Medicine at our Oklahoma hospital. She talks about her education and training, her role on our patients’ care teams, and what drew her to Cancer Treatment Centers of America [...]";

Ah, education and training in naturopathy of course.

"[in the video she's a] naturopathic oncology provider [...who] help[s] them understand [...] that fully integrative care model [...] the only place nation-wide [...]";

Help me understand.  Really.  Really understand.

002. my question and CTCA's answer, via Google+ was:

question: "'Consumer Health' (ISBN 9781449646455; 2012) labels naturopathy a 'pseudoscience.' Now NDs are self-proclaimed oncologists. Any comments?"

the answer I got, also emailed to me via plus.google.com, was: "Katherine Anderson pointed us to the following resources www.naturopathic.org and www.oncanp.org which talk about the training of licensed naturopathic practitioners. Accredited naturopathic training begins with an undergraduate pre-med degree prior to enrollment in a naturopathic medical school, which is a four year doctoral-level program federally accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education."

Note: well, my summation of these sources is simply this -- "licensed naturopathic" = licensed falsehood.  Doctor-level NONSENSE and IRRATIONALITY and DECEPTION [like this]. The entire Twitterview is up at Storify.  Some tags I'd put on it: #homeopathy #acupuncture #cancertreatment #supplements #censored .  I add "censored" because the question I'd asked via Google+ was ignored on Twitter by them, and someone else's wasn't and answered via Twitter!

003. the easy to find-out truth about all this naturopathy nonsense / absurdity / irrationality:

003.a. what CTCA says [really, they say it themselves]:

I have quite the collection of CTCA telling the world that naturopathy is based upon the science-ejected-for-decades here. Of course, you are not told that it's science-ejected, though -- this framing "life force" / "healing power of nature".  In that sense, therefore, I wonder what ND Anderson's commitment to "exceptional" care and "education" means.  It seems as truthful as their claim that homeopathy is "powerful" -- the powerful scientifically ejected.  In fact, as recently reported from Australia, homeopathy is quite likely to be labeled BASELESS and UNETHICAL.  So, the big question regarding CTCA is: who vetting all this naturopathy junk?  Where was the due diligence?  People TRUST YOU, and they are vulnerable and quite ill.  Sickening, hugely sickening.

003.b. what alma mater's say:

[I'll use only the schools cited above; and this is where the 'junk thought' originates / where people are infected with 'the naturopathy meme' -- State and Federally endorsed, by the way -- so in that sense, there will not be investigation / oversight / intervention -- government would have to find itself guilty, and I highly doubt such ever happens]:

003.b1. CCNM:

we have science claimed upon the for-decades science-ejected.

 

003.b2. NCNM [trunk of the tree!]:

we have science claimed upon the for-decades science-ejected.

003.b3. SCNM:

we have science claimed upon the for-decades science-ejected.

003.b4. NUHS:

we have science [particularly in the school's NAME] claimed upon the for-decades science-ejected.

003.c. what science says [hugely, preponderantly]:

well, you can go within naturopathy and find what science says about multiple facets of the belief system and therapeutics.  Here, I'll stick to the big framing claim: that there is a vital force running physiology and that illness and health are due to its malfunction and its restoration.  But, make no mistake about it: because naturopathy claims that science is whatever you want it to be, huge swaths of the contents of naturopathy are truly 'without scientific support'.  But, I choose the big one here, the hugely 'science-ejected naturopathic essential claim' -- vitalism [wherein "vitalism is that rejected tradition in biology"; it is not about analysis and explanation at all, it is about unnecessary stupefying mysticism].

So, one of my favorite sources is Richard Dawkins. In "The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing" (2008, ISBN 0199216800), which I happen to own, Dawkins states:

"what neither Mendel nor anyone else before 1953 knew was that genes themselves are digital, within themselves [...] life is the execution of programs written using a small digital alphabet in a single, universal machine language. This realization was the hammer blow that knocked the last nail in the coffin of vitalism and, by extension, of dualism. The hammer was wielded, with undisguised youthful relish, by James Watson and Francis Crick [p.030...] for me, the greatest achievement of Watson and Crick was to turn genetics from a branch of wet and squishy physiology into a branch of information technology, in the process slaying [...] the ghost of vitalism [p.226]."

Note: and it is as simple as that.  Nonscientific FOR DECADES UPON DECADES.  As scientific as the Tooth Fairy.  Therein is the "natural" and the "integrative."  No thanks.

004. of course, my biggest question besides "how do they get away with this?" is:

"why do they let absurdists and poseurs anywhere near critically ill people?"

Portland, Oregon Naturopathy College's 2011 Yearly Economic Impact Dollar Amount Released

here, I cite from a recent article on NCNM and its 2011 effect on Portland, Oregon's economy [see 001., below]; then, I point out that both NCNM and the State of Oregon are partners in what is basically what I call 'licensed falsehood' [see 002.,below]:

001. Matthew Kish of the Portland Business Journal reports in "College of Natural Medicine economic impact: $55.8M" (2011-03-13)[vsc 2012-03-13]:

"Portland’s National College of Natural Medicine [NCNM...] employs approximately 277 and has 550 graduate students [...and] had a $55.8 million impact on the local economy in 2011, according to a new study [...] the college paid for [...] among its 2011 economic activity:  $25.8 million in direct spending on payroll and other operating costs, $10.9 million in indirect spending on goods and other services, $19.2 million in other spending related to the increased purchasing power of households impacted by the college. The economic activity generated 613 jobs [...] the college is the only naturopathic medical school in Oregon so it generates spending that otherwise would not occur in Portland [...and the study] estimates that [for] every $1 million the college spends generates an additional $1.2 million [is] spent by others. The majority of the college’s revenue comes from tuition, fees, gifts, contracts and sales."

Note: fascinating.

002. NCNM and OBNM [birds of a falsehood feather...sleep together]:

002.a. now, NCNM is the trunk of the naturopathic tree:

and it is only in the past couple of years that they changed their name from "Naturopathic" to "Natural."  In the college's own words, you can read how it falsely labels as science, the hugely science-ejected.  This ruse been going on for DECADES, not just for the year 2011.  So, now we can say WOW, a lot of commerce happens around NCNM based upon an essentially STUPID CONTEXT, yearly:  institutionally, the science-ejected wrongly labeled as within science as objective scientific fact.

002.b. in partnership with NCNM is the State of Oregon itself:

with their web page "Naturopathy" [vsc 2012-03-13], which I really just can get enough mileage out of, really, in terms of its absurdity, irrationality, nonsensicality etc.:

"naturopathic [...] principles are based on the objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually reexamined in light of scientific analysis [...#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 vitalistic tradition of medicine [...] methods of treatments are chosen to work with the patient’s vital force [...] 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 [...] naturopathic philosophy serves as the basis for naturopathic practice.  The current scope of naturopathic practice includes, but is not limited to [...] homeopathic medicine [...which] works on a subtle yet powerful electromagnetic level, gently acting to strengthen the body’s healing and immune response."

Note: not fascinating, a MAJOR CONCERN in terms, utmost for me, HUMAN RIGHTS.  Licensed falsehood marches on: mandatory medieval theoretical nonsense by-oath required to be falsely postured as scientific, and hugely science-ejected therapeutics falsely postured as powerful.

Yet, we're told in this 2007 NCNM document [vsc 2012-03-13]:
"the National College of Natural Medicine is committed to using a science-based curriculum to train naturopathic physicians and Chinese medicine practitioners."

Me arse.

Australian Homeopathy [Essential to Oz Naturopathy] is Unethical via NHMRC - Sydney Morning Herald 2012

here, I cite from recent reporting regarding homeopathy and Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council:

001. the Sydney Morning Herald's Julia Medew reports in "Draft Finding Labels Homeopathy Unethical" (2012-03-14) [saved 2012-03-13]:

"Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council [...] draft public statement concluded it was 'unethical for health practitioners to treat patients using homeopathy, for the reason that homeopathy (as a medicine or procedure) has been shown not to be efficacious' [...] although homeopathy was not harmful in its own [...it] pose[s] a risk to patients if safe and efficacious conventional treatments were delayed in favor of homeopathic treatments [...the findings are] based on a 2010 evaluation of homeopathy by the British House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, which declared it was no more efficacious than a placebo [...declaring] its principles were 'theoretically weak' and 'scientifically implausible' [...] the president of the Australian Medical Association, Steve Hambleton, backed the council's draft statement [...] he hoped it would force health insurers to reconsider their funding of homeopathy, as well as other 'questionable' therapies such as iridology and reflexology [...yet] the president of the Australian Homeopathic Association, Greg Cope, said there was strong evidence to support the practice."

Note: the three therapies mentioned, homeopathy, iridology, and reflexology are FUNDAMENTAL to Australian naturopathy.  E.g., a quick web search leads to this link hosted by the "Guild of Naturopathic Iridologists International".  I would argue that the idea that 'anything is scientifically supported' is quite a naturopathillogical trait: what other supposed profession throws science, supernaturalism, the science-ejected, the science-exterior all together overall yet labels it all "scientifically grounded"? 

Changelog 2012-03-11 and 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 Acree to Appendix B.05.i.a.01.;

ND Aidun to Appendix B.05.i.a.01.;

NDs Ahlan, Arrata, Exner, Hoffman, Owens, Schlee to Appendix B.05.i.a.01.; 

augmented the biographical links to Appendix B.05.i.a.01.;

the 'vitalism is science-ejected' claim of:

Rice, S.A. (ISBN 1438110057 9781438110059; 2007) to Appendix C.06.d.;

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

here's the 4029tv.com video of naturopath Hickman, T. (NMD SCNM) titled "Naturopathic Medicine Offers Alternatives" (posted 2012-01-04) [vsc 2012-03-05] which states [embedding is disabled; my notes are in unquoted bold]:

"[in its description] an area naturopathic physician talks about her alternative approach to health care, which includes finding underlying causes of illness and prevention [...]";

and that's all you get there...but there's more.

"[in the video] a local doctor who thinks about health holistically [...]";

ah, that doctor / physician label, and that junk word "holistic".

"Dr. Tara Hickman is a licensed naturopathic physician but what does that mean? She says the answer depends on where you live [...]";

wow.  How relative.

"here are 'The Six Principals of Naturopathic Medicine" [...] source nwanaturalhealth.com [which is Hickman's site and likely this page...]";

yes, the TV station spelled "principles" wrong, just as the naturopaths' site does.

"number one, 'do no harm.'  This means using therapies which are safe and effective.  Number two, 'the healing power of nature.'  This means the doctor helps facilitate the natural healing process.  Number three, 'discover and treat the cause.'  Instead of giving treatments to suppress symptoms, doctors look for the underlying causes of the illness. Number four, 'treat the whole person.'  This includes body, mind and spirit.  Number five, 'the physician is the teacher.'  The doctor should educate and empower patients.  And number six, 'prevention is the best cure.'  This means doctors should consider risk factors and customize a plan for disease prevention."

ah, and here's where the rubber hits the road.  I'll flesh these out, in part, in 003., below.

"'I really tend to fit into that gray area.'"

the irony is killing me.

Note: so much is contextually left out here that I consider this reporting and the commerce involved to be a misrepresentation / bait and switch.  So, I thought I'd flesh it out better, in the name of decency and informed consent, below.

003. some illumination: Hickman's principles [the coded] versus alma maters' [the noncoded yet mislabeled, via the trunks of the naturopathic tree!]:

003.a. NMD Hickman, along with ND Matthews (ND Bastyr), states in "Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2012-03-10]:

"naturopathic medicine uses nature in combination with rigorous scientific methods to facilitate the body's natural healing process [NHP...]";

ah, science plus nature.  But what is, contextually and specifically, NHP to naturopathy?

"there are six principals [spelling!] that guide the therapeutic methods and modalities of naturopathic medicine [...#1] do no harm: naturopathic medicine uses therapies that are safe and effective [...]";

scientifically speaking, by the way, naturopathy's homeopathy, as a therapy / modality, is simply a sugar pill.  Wow, so much for science and efficacy.  See, if you spent money with them and were told 'this is powerfully effective' and it is just a sugar pill, I do believe a lot has been harmed.  Yet here they are telling us homeopathy is "effective".

"[#2] the healing power of nature: the body has an inherent ability to heal itself, and physician's role is to facilitate this natural healing process [...]";

and that's all you get.

"the physician is a teacher: the physician's most important role is to educate and empower the patient [...]";

well, in the sense that already homeopathy is being claimed as effective when actually a sugar pill...I don't feel empowerment is happening at all.

 003.b. what SCNM and Bastyr say about HPN:

well, here's HPN actually expressed as that science-ejected imaginary animistic force that it actually contextually means in naturopathy by SCNM and by Bastyr [who quite falsely label such "science-based"].

Note: so, if I were to tag this video, I'd include:

#codedscienceejectedsectarianism #vitalism #falseefficacy #4thgradelevelreporting

A 1993 Long-Ago Promise Regarding Naturopathy, Quackery and Common-Sense from the Spokesman-Review:

here, I share and annotate a 1993 news.google.com archived article by J.L. Eng regarding naturopathy [see 001., below]:

001. the Spokesman-Review shares J.L. Eng's report "Natural Medicine Not For Quacks Anymore" (1993-01-10) [vsc 2012-03-08] which states [my notes are in unquoted bold]:

“'Natural Medicine not for Quacks Anymore' [...] James L. Eng, Associated Press [...] The Spokesman-Review.  Sunday, Jan 10, 1993.  Spokane, Wash. [...]";

ah, so it's almost 20 years since this was first published.  And lots o'money has been exchanged in those two decades!.

“[patient] Natasha Puffer [...] turned to a naturopathic physician [...] at the Natural Health Clinic in Seattle [...] naturopathy or the practice of natural medicine [...] most naturopathic physicians think of themselves as family doctors [...]";

ye old "physician" / "family doctor", "natural health", "natural medicine" labels.

"naturopathy [is] a drug-free, holistic approach to medicine that emphasizes the healing power of nature [HPN] to prevent and treat illness [...]";

here's where it gets interesting: if "drug-free" then why the recent push towards prescriptive rights?;  if holistic [truly! -- a rather undefinable junk word, by the way, overall - IMHO], then why the ignorant sectarian belief system that IGNORES so much modern knowledge...like...the scientific ejection of naturopathy's archaic belief in a vital force / animistic force that actually is what HPN is to naturopathy?  That is science-ejected HPN [and science-exterior sectarian supernaturalism!!!] stated as vital force and able to survive scientific scrutiny at a school this article mentions!

"their therapies [...include] acupuncture and homeopathy [which is] treating a disease by administering tiny doses of a remedy that would in a healthy person produce symptoms of a disease [...]";

and HERE WE ARE, at the guts of the naturopathic 'things-they-do'.  Quackupuncture and homeopathic nonsense.

"naturopathic physicians [...] in Washington, they can't treat cancer [...]";

that was then.  Now they're oncologists, of their own title-crafting.

"John Weeks [was then] executive director of the Seattle-based American Association of Naturopathic Physicians [...says] 'it's time to acknowledge the real value that profession has' [...]";

ye old AANP.  Still at it: labeling nonsense as science [vsc 2012-03-08].  Valuable?  Professional?  Nope.

"Bastyr College [...] president Joe Pizzorno [...says] 'many of the things they were calling quackery 20 to 30 years ago, they're now coming to say, 'Gee, these are right' [...]";

actually, at the heart of naturopathy IS QUACKERY, still.  Not right, wrong.  Here's Pizzorno's own article labeling the science-ejected as science-based.

"Ron Hobbs, director of admission at Bastyr [...says] 'over the last 100 years we've really focused on technology and really separated our connection with nature [...] this kind of medicine is basic, common-sense medicine.  It's low-tech.  It's connected with nature.  It's a lot of things that this culture has forgotten";

well, surely "nature" is that vitalistic science-ejected context they keep falsely engaging in trade upon!  Yet, in almost twenty years of researching naturopathy I've yet to see the "common-sense" in falsely labeling nonsense sense, and particularly the common-sense and professionalism of labeling absurdity "science-based".  

as history illustrates: the naturopathillogic MARCHES ON, adding to its ranks.

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]:

.

.

#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]:

.

"[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]:

.

Video streaming by Ustream

.

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

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

.

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?