ND Rothenberg at HuffPo (2012-07): 'ND Roots' That Dare Not Speak Their Roots

here, I cite from a recent Huffington Post piece by ND Rothenberg of the New England School of Homeopathy and a graduate of National College of Natural Medicine who [supposedly] defines and describes naturopathy [see 001., below]; then, I go to the tenets web page of her alma mater and REALLY reveal naturopathy's 'core absurdism' [see 002., below]:

001. Rothenberg, A. (ND NCNM) writes in "Naturopathic Medicine Roots"(2012-07-10)[vsc 2012-07-10; my notes are in unquoted bold]:

"here's what naturopathic doctors believe: [#1] we should support the healing power of nature -- that the body's innate ability to heal is strong and that we can also capitalize on the healing energy of foods, plants, light, and other natural substances [...#2] we best identify and treat the root cause of illness whenever possible [...]";

are we REALLY told in this article "what naturopathic doctors believe"?  No, I don't think so!  It's interesting what this language LEAVES OUT [not to pun on all her tree talk within the article].  I'll fill in what is not provided in 002., below. 

"[#3] we ought to aim, like all physicians [...]";

dare I term the status of the naturopath METAphysician, as opposed to physician, when you get-right-down-to-it?  Yes.

"to uphold the classic tenet: first, do no harm [...]";

there is SUCH an interesting HIDDEN context to this idea-that-isn't-fleshed-out, which I talk about below in 002.

"we'd better educate patients. Knowledge is power, so we work to educate patients [...] we give good explanations as to why and how things work both with the body and with our approaches. We welcome questions from our patients. During this information age, we are often partners with patients who may come in quite well-informed [...]";

oh, how the irony is killing me: claiming to educate, inform, and explain without truly sharing / revealing naturopathy's beliefs clearly!  Knowledge IS power and even holding back facts is, in terms of successful marketing, A POWERFUL MODUS OPERANDI for naturopathy [there's some Latin for you, naturopaths-who-love-Latin].  Not mentioning in the Huffpo article naturopathy's absurd position of science subset nonscience IN NO WAY is a "good explanation".

"I love having a medical philosophy that is clear and consistent and that does not shift. I love being able to look at new approaches that may come along and to ask myself, 'is this within the bounds of the philosophy I so embrace?' And if not, to let it go' [...] my naturopathic medicine roots [...]";

I call this the 'ND sectarian creed'.   This type of stance, which here I applaud for its sectarian honesty, reminds me of a quote I often use from Popular Science published around the year 1900.  It states: "science is never sectarian; philosophy is never sectarian.  Sectarian teaching begins when you ask a man or a child to assume what can not be proved, for the sake of keeping within the dogmatic lines that fence round some particular creed."  At Phi Beta Kappa, I'm reminded that "for over two and a quarter centuries, the Society has embraced the principles of freedom of inquiry and liberty of thought and expression."  And I was a PBK long before I got snookered into naturopathy school.

"[a naturopath has] an elegant philosophy [...] one that leads to effective treatment [...]";

hmmm.  If naturopathy's philosophy is so elegant, why it is SO EASY to destroy with the information in middle school science textbooks?  And effective?  Since when are such things as homeopathy, craniosacral therapy, applied kinesiology, reiki, colonics, and chelation therapy for heart disease effective?

002. at NCNM's 'Rosetta Stone' ND tenets web page [this is the TRUNK of the naturopathic North American tree] we're told in "About Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2012-07-15]:

"[principle #1] the healing power of nature — vis medicatrix naturae: the body has the inherent ability to establish, maintain, and restore health. The healing process is ordered and intelligent; nature heals through the response of the life force. The physician’s role is to facilitate and augment this process [...]";

so there you go, HPN=VMN=LF.  This is a TRULY science-ejected idea.

"[principle #3] first do no harm — primum no nocere: the process of healing includes the generation of symptoms, which are, in fact, expressions of the life force attempting to heal itself [...aka] this healing process [...aka] vis medicatrix naturae [...aka] the practice of promoting health through stimulation of the vital force";

I do not believe that ALL PHYSICIANS believe that "first do no harm" involves a vitalistic figmentation that has been EJECTED from science.  So, here is naturalistic language HIDING the explicitly sectarian-naturopathic.  It's always good to add a little Latin to naturopathic camouflage, too, keeps people off-guard.  Symptoms are as "in fact" "life force" effects as the money under a child's pillow is "in fact" from the Tooth Fairy.  This is their "root cause", essentially: a "life force" that is impeded by whatever and needs unimpeded to 'work right' and govern the body properly.  Yet, it does not exist BIOLOGICALLY in the same way that scientifically speaking FIRE isn't phlogiston but is instead CHEMISTRY and PHYSICS.  The body simply DOESN'T work via a life force figmentation.

"[and overarching all this sectarian metaphysical nonsense, we're told] the practice of naturopathic medicine emerges from six principles of healing. These principles are based on the objective observation of the nature of health and disease and are examined continually in light of scientific analysis. These principles stand as the distinguishing marks of the profession [...]";

so, what kind of profession can be show to be full-of-falsehood using eighth grade science standards?  What kind of profession says that sectarian subjective figmentation survives continuous scientific rigor?

the naturopathillogic, of course, wherein, on this same NCNM page, homeopathy is labeled "powerful" [and the supernatural is also as-falsely-claimed to be within science, too].

Note: here is where ND Rothenberg, at her Connecticut practice, claims that homeopathy is a "science".  And what's even more interesting, compare her 'tenets' page to that of her alma mater.  Look at what isn't written on her page that claims to explain naturopathy!  Essential homeopathic and naturopathic vitalism, why-for-art-thou-so-coded?  What happened to the ethos claimed in the HuffPo article, wherein the ND's role was to 'educate, inform, and explain'?  Doesn't this throw informed consent out the window along with professionalism?

Changelog 2012-07-15 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 Edge

to Appendix B.05.i.bbbb00.;

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

Oxbro, K. (ND CCNM? 2008) states in "Dr. Kimberly Oxbro" [vsc 2012-07-08]:

.

.

"[from the description] Dr. Kimberly Oxbro, ND , Nova Health naturopathic centre [...from the video, she says] at the clinic we focus on looking at diseases of all types [...] such as heart disease and diabetes [...] one of our focus is to get patients off medications and really get at the root [...] things like type II diabetes can be easily treated [...] a lot of the focus is intravenous therapy [...] to reverse disease [...] things like cardiovascular disease can be easily treated by chelation therapy";

.

tags: #chelationtherapy #unapprovedexperimentation #unethicalexperimentation

.

Note: meanwhile, the very pedestrian Wikipedia states, in "Chelation Therapy":

"the American Heart Association states that there is 'no scientific evidence to demonstrate any benefit from this form of therapy' and that the 'United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the American College of Cardiology all agree with the American Heart Association' that 'there have been no adequate, controlled, published scientific studies using currently approved scientific methodology to support this therapy for cardiovascular disease' [...]";

what's new, naturopathy falsely claiming something works when it does not.  When is "easily" the same as 'bunk'?  Naturopathy.

Revealed: ND Runbeck Got $105,000 A Year to Head Arizona's ND "Public Safety Agency"

here, I cite from a recent piece at Arizona's The Republic regarding that State's naturopathy regulatory board drama [see 001., below]; and then, IRONICALLY, I wish I too could be paid six-figures a year to regulate nonsense [see 002., below]:

001. Yvonne Wingett Sanchez reports in "Arizona Naturopathic Board Head Clashes with Members, Resigns" [vsc 2012-07-13]:

"[ND Runbeck] the longtime executive director of the state board responsible for licensing about 700 naturopathic doctors abruptly resigned effective today [...a] $105,000-a-year post [...]";

there's gold in them there regulatories!

"he sped up his departure [...] after becoming aware of 'background conversations' by some board members to 'take over' the board [...and] that some board members may have repeatedly violated the state Open Meeting Law [...saying] 'I cannot in good conscience continue to serve' [...]"; 

it's always interesting to see the ND / NMD crowd go at each other.  Ironically, I LEFT NATUROPATHY due to my conscience, way back in 2002.   And to this day, I do not regret the decision in terms of ETHICS and what I learned in those four years and subsequent is why this blog exists: to illuminate what is unconscionable. 

"since January, Gov. Jan Brewer has appointed four people to the seven-member Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board. E-mails show Runbeck believes the governor's appointments of 'inexperienced' members is a disservice to the board and public [...]"; 

I'll talk more about how this licensed falsehood OVERALL is the key issue when it comes to disservice. 

Note: here's a copy of  the resignation letter [vsc 2012-07-13] which is written under the Seal of the State of Arizona.  Yes, the State endorses naturopathy with its seal and its '.gov' web address.  In part, it states:

"the Board has been warned by me and by Assistant Attorney General Monty Lee that communicating with one another outside of a properly agendized and noticed meeting about Board business is illegal. In addition these actions undermine confidence in us as a public safety agency."

ah, a CABAL!!! So, I've learned two things from this azcentral.com piece: there's BIG MONEY in State regulatory board positions and perhaps the ND / NMD board in Arizona will be mildly reprimanded.

002. and now for the big, overall, naturopathillogical:

002.a. it doesn't take much effort to get to the HEART of the naturopaTHICK:

ND Runbeck is an SCNM graduate [according to the video in 003., below], which is a school in Arizona.  And, I find SCNM's web pages very VERY enlightening.  Here's naturopathy's MO in a nutshell: claiming science (my compilation of naturopathy's 'science' marketing and academic label) upon what is patently not science (my compilation of the primary naturopathic vitalistic tenet {though there is much more in terms of what they DO yet to be documented; with all due respect to the departed}).  There you go: calling something which it is not.  In other words: all things are equal, science is the same as nonscience in terms of knowledge labels, nonsensical clinical diagnostics are the same as what science truly supports.

Note: you HAVE to wonder about ETHICS in all this.  How is it that the President and CEO of SCNM has no problem with applied kinesiology [though it is so bunk] while his school puts a broad label upon the naturopathic as a 'branch of medical science'?  Boggles the mind.

003. here is a 2009 video [the embedded link below is the same video at Youtube] with ND Runbeck in it, speaking of ethics -- and the FOUNDER of SCNM, ND Cronin [an NCNM graduate], whom I'd seen live in the mid 1990s and whose presentation in Stamford, CT then was a deciding factor in my going to ND school -- and I find the video's contents, in light of what truly is 'the essentially naturopathic', to be quite ironic:

.

.

tags: #posedfiduciaryduty #NDRunbeck #NDCronin

.

"[...ND Cronin, President of the AANP board, interviews ND Runbeck.  ND Cronin asks] 'what advice you would give to practitioners to say out of trouble and stay on the good side of the law?' [...ND Runbeck says things like] 'maintaining documentation on their continuing medical education [...and charting / SOAP] records [...to] follow the train of thought [...or that is] unprofessional conduct [...] a doctor has a certain position of privileged in our society.  We hold them to a high standard. We expect that individual to hold the highest ethical qualities [...in marketing] the consumer needs to be able to make an informed choice [...] the players [in commerce] are on an equal field.  Well that doesn't exist with a physician and a patient [because the relationship is fiduciary...] it's of special importance in the regulatory arena for physicians that you not take advantage of that [influence...] if someone files a complaint against you, if someone feels that you have acted unethically [...] if you always treat your patients like they're number one [...] the golden rule' [...]";

the IRONY is killing me.  Of course, if naturopaths stayed up to date with what is and isn't SCIENCE, their 'essentially naturopathic' stuff would evaporate.  And speaking of trains of thought, isn't falsely labeling what isn't science science quite the derailed thought train?  For the life of me, I can't see how professional conduct happens from an initial position that is of a foundation of falsehood [like ND Cronin's so excellent alma mater page].  How is nonsense, absurdity, and irrationality a basis for a) a profession and b) "highest ethical qualities" [and how is this public safety]?  How can fiduciary duty happen?  I truly believe huge advantage has been taken, that naturopathy is fake and unethical, and here we see how the foxes govern their own behavior as they watch the hen-house.

the Arizona Board's motto is "protecting the public's health."  But, what I see more than anything else, is naturopathy protecting itself.

Dubai's Gulf News Schwacks Homeopathy (2012-07)

here, I cite from an excellent recent piece from one of the largest English-language Persian Gulf news outlets regarding homeopathy bunkum in the light of modern scientific rigor [see 001., below]:

001. at Gulf News, Nidhal Guessoum, who "heads the physics department at the American University of Sharjah", writes (2012-07-12) in "Projecting Homeopathy as Medicine is Irrational" [saved 2012-07-12; my comments are in unquoted bold]:

"homeopathy [...] is not at all a ‘medicine’. We, scientists and educators, have long tried to convince the public that homeopathy makes no sense both in the theory it is based on and in the way that it is practiced [...]";

hear, hear.  Homeopathy is principally why I left naturopathy school here in Connecticut, and it is quite the bellwether when in comes to gauging the rationality of naturopathy -- to this day.

"in fact, when it is used for serious illnesses in lieu of proper medicine, it may be (indirectly) dangerous [...]";

yes, it can.

"let me first explain why any rational person would shun homeopathy. Homeopathy [...] is based on two ‘laws’ devised two centuries ago by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician: the Law of Similars a.k.a. ‘like cures like’, and the Law of Infinitesimals. The first law posits that illnesses are cured by the same stuff that causes them (which is not true in modern medicine, except for vaccinations, which are not cures); the second law stipulates that one must dilute the potion which contains the ‘cure’ as many times as possible [...for homeopathy's] Oscillococcinum [product...] to get a single molecule [...] one would have to swallow many universes of that product [...]";

madness!!!

"when Sir John Beddington, the former chief scientist of England, was asked by a Commons committee whether homeopathy works, his answer was superbly clear: 'I have made it completely clear that there is no scientific basis for homeopathy beyond the placebo effect …' [...]";

yup.

"for any method to be declared a success, one must test it properly [...] homeopathic products are not subjected to the random controlled trials of rigorous medicine [...] it is indeed astounding and depressing to note the extent to which we have failed to explain to the public the basic idea of science: how to check if claims are true or false";

always an uphill battle, perhaps even Sisyphean.

A Google Web Search: "Naturopathy Scientifically Proven" (2012-07)

here, I cite 2 NDs from Google's first-page web results using the parameter "naturopathy scientifically proven" without the outside quotes [see 001., below]:

001. results [2012-07-05]:

001.a. California's ND Schenck, a Bastyr graduate, states in "Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2012-07-05]:

"naturopathic doctors are trained at accredited, four-year, post-graduate naturopathic medical schools. The comprehensive medical training includes studies in basic medical sciences, clinical and physical diagnosis, laboratory and diagnostic imaging studies, clinical medical sciences, naturopathic philosophy, pharmacology, and a wide variety of natural therapeutics. In order to become licensed practitioners, Naturopathic doctors are required to successfully pass national board exams in the basic and clinical medical sciences as well as all of the naturopathic therapeutics [...] the principles of naturopathic medicine include [...] doctor as teacher - docere, the Latin root for doctor means 'to teach'. A principle objective of naturopathic medicine is to educate the patient with current scientifically-proven information and clinically-valid therapeutics to promote self-responsibility for health and well-being [...including such things as] homeopathy [...and the] spiritual [...and the] the healing power of nature - naturopathic medicine respects the innate intelligence of the human body to heal. The vital force stimulates the physiological systems of the body to bring the organism into balance and equilibrium moving towards a state of optimal health."

Note: oh how the falsehood jumps out of from this page!  Can you find any better 'single-web-page' bundled nonsense?!?!?  As in science subset nonsense?!?!  I dare you!  There's: 'huge science claims' subset 'the scientifically invalid' [like homeopathy, the supernatural, the vitalistic].  Here is where the State of California places its seal of approval over this naturopathic nonsense.  Yes, that is a '.gov' site siding with false commerce claims [science subset 'the naturopathic'] and irrational healthcare practices.

the State of California endorses this pseudoscience with the publication "Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine: A Bureau of the California Department of Consumer Affairs: Findings and Recommendations Regarding the Prescribing and Furnishing Authority of a Naturopathic Doctor" [vsc 2012-07-08; permanently archived here]: "naturopathic medicine is distinguished by the principles which underlie and determine its practice. These principles are based upon the objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually reexamined in the light of scientific advances."

so, the science ejected is falsely claimed to be supported by rigorous scientific analysis.  Truly this is quite 'an ultimate' abuse of the public trust.  And now that California has licensed falsehood, nobody deals with issues of consumer protection besides THE OFFENDERS!  So, if you have a problem with sectarian pseudomedical figmentations being falsely posed as scientific and you wish to complain about violation of consumer rights, they will not move on such.

here's a scan of a response I got from California's Department of Consumer Affairs in 2007 when I complained that naturopathy is "an unethical pseudoscience":

tags: #foxesguardinghenhouse #bureauofnaturopathicmedicine

actually, right in line with supporting this nonsense, the State of California continues to publish naturopathy's false claims and has even approved Bastyr's new campus within the State!

001.b. ND Collier, of Virginia, another Bastyr graduate, states:

001.b1. in "Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2012-07-08]:

"naturopathic medicine is distinguished by the principles which underlie and determine its practice. These principles are based upon the objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually reexamined in the light of scientific advances [...with] a commitment to state-of-the-art scientific research [...] naturopathic medicine is a scientifically proven and tested system of (successful) healthcare [...including such things as] homeopathy [...]";

"principles of naturopathic medicine: [#1] the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae): naturopathic medicine recognizes the body's inherent self-healing ability, which is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic doctors identify and remove obstacles to recovery and facilitate and augment this healing ability [...]";

Note: again, that huge science claim upon what ain't. The essential vitalism of naturopathy is coded or masked on this page with naturalistic language, but not to worry, the ND Collier page below gets to it.

001.b2. in "Services" [vsc 2012-07-08]:

"homeopathy: this powerful system of medicine is more than 200 years old and is widely accepted in many countries. Homeopathy is based on the principle that Like cures Like. Homeopathic medicines are very small doses of natural substances that can stimulate the body's self-healing response. Homeopathic medicines, when properly prescribed, affect the body's 'vital force' and strengthen its innate ability to heal."

Note: empty sugar pills are not powerful and that has been quite scientifically decided.

ND Gagliardi's Ancient Chinese Prescientific Vitalistic Diagnostic Nonsense

here, I cite from a recent article by a Bastyr naturopath that tells us that "qi" and 'yin yang' problems are why we can be ill, while that ND's practice tells us naturopathy is largely 'of rigorous science expertise' [see 001., below]; yet, the vitalism that qi and 'yin yang' essentially are of is hugely 'of science-exterior figmentation' [see 002., below]:

001. Gagliardi, C. (ND Bastyr 2004) of Colorado states:

001.a. in "Revive Your 'Get Up and Go' Using Traditional Chinese Medicine" [vsc 2012-07-09; my comments are in unquoted bold]:

"if you experience fatigue, here are tips that lead to vibrant energy [...] from a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective [...] are you 'wired and tired,' or 'passive and pooped?' [...such determines] the difference between a fatigue caused by an 'excess' condition versus one caused by a 'deficient' condition [...]";

so, we have a vague condition, a specifically posed 'mechanism', and promises of relief.  Naturopathy loves to market itself toward very subjectively determined, chronic, mild to moderate discomforts.

 "in TCM, a balance is always desired between qi (energy), blood (lubrication, warming, nurturing), yin (cooling, moistening, stillness) and yang (warming, drying and movement) [...] when a person’s qi, blood, yin and yang are in balance, she has abundant health and energy.  When any one of these is lacking or imbalanced, it can show up as physical, mental or emotional symptoms. The excess condition: qi stagnation. When discussing excess conditions causing fatigue, the most common pattern is 'qi stagnation' [...] deficient conditions: qi deficiency. A second common pattern relating to fatigue is 'qi deficiency' [...] yang deficiency. 'yang deficiency' fatigue may occur as we age [...] yin deficiency. 'yin deficiency' is another fatigue pattern [...]";

qi itself is not energy at all, in the modern sense of this-here-scientific-age because energy is a measurable property.  Yin and yang, like qi, are mere placeholders from the middle ages for actual knowledge.  You cannot measure qi, yin, or yang because they are metaphysical figmentations.

Note: and we are told "Dr. Gagliardi received her doctorate in naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington, and her master’s degree in traditional Chinese medicine from the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Denver [...] Dr. Colleen Gagliardi is a licensed acupuncturist and naturopathic doctor at Whole Health Center in Highlands Ranch [...] Dr. Gagliardi uses natural modalities to address health issues, including: acupuncture, Western and Chinese herbal therapy, homeopathy, nutritional supplements, clinical nutrition, diet and lifestyle counseling and craniosacral therapy [CST]."  Lets go there.

002. at:

002.a. her place of practice, we're told in "Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2012-07-09]:

"naturopathic doctors (NDs) are the nation's leading experts in natural medicine and natural health care. A clinically-trained naturopathic doctor attends a rigorous, accredited, four-year post-graduate naturopathic medical school and is educated in all the basic and clinical sciences. [...]";

so, there's the promise of SCIENCE, RIGOR, EXPERTISE subset naturopathy.

"naturopathic training includes the following diagnostic and treatment modalities [...] detoxification [...] homeopathy [...]";

two things that are quite bunk, along with the CST.  So, now we're in the absurd position of science, rigor, expertise subset naturopathy subset nonsense.

002.b. the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, unbelievably, all the TCM degrees that they grant are titled "master's of science." 

Note: we are told on their financial aid page, "CSTCM is certified by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in the Title IV Student Aid Programs."  The government at hard work allowing students loans for quite absurd claims.

003. meanwhile, regarding TCM's claims, UK-Skeptics states:

003.a. in "Yin and Yang":

"the universal life force qi is believed to be composed of yin and yang; a system of opposites that must always be in balance [...] yin represents everything about the world that is dark, hidden, passive, receptive, yielding, cool, soft, and feminine. Yang represents everything about the world that is illuminated, evident, active, aggressive, controlling, hot, hard, and masculine [...] naturally, the masculine yin has to be present in a greater quantity than the feminine yang for perfectly-balanced harmony to be achieved. Masculine superiority is written into the life-force of the universe it seems. At least it is according to the men who most likely thought of the idea."

Note: bravo, because, inevitably, these ideas are ARCHAIC.

003.b. in "Qi, Chi, Ch'i":

"meaning: universal life force or energy. Qi is a metaphysical belief. It is meant to be the life force of the universe which permeates all matter. It is also believed to be the source of life. It has its roots in vitalism; the belief that life, the soul, or the spirit is separate from the physical form [dualism...] harmonizing the flow of qi, by balancing yin and yang, that is the theoretical basis of healing used in acupuncture in the body [...] qi has never been measured or shown to exist."

Note: but, being quite identical to the "vis medicatrix naturae" vitalistic figmentation of naturopathy [see page 114 of Bastyr's 2012 catalog which states "NM9118: Energetics of Natural Medicine [...] this course presents an analysis of the vital force, the emergence of shape, a redefinition of disease and a discussion of specific disorders"], it is understandable why qi / yin / yang too are similarly falsely labeled 'clinically useful', and even, scientifically vetted [Bastyr in fact states on page 004 "Bastyr University has played a key part in establishing the credibility of science-based natural medicine"].  Bastyr, too, has TCM degrees labeled "science."  In fact, the word 'Chinese' shows up in that catalog 174 times!

and nonsense marches on.

Changelog 2012-07-08 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 claims of:

ND Roland;

ND Rios-Young;

ND Rose;

to Appendix B.05.i.h.

[and added more bio.s to that appendix];

the science claims of:

 

ND Diana 

to Appendix I.05.d.;

 

Virginia Association of Naturopathic Physicians [VAANP]

to Appendix I.03.;

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

002.a. Doran-Fisher, K. (ND NITE 2006) states in "Eyes, Nails & Tongue Give Health Warning Signs" (2012-07-2) [vsc 2012-07-03; my comments are in unquoted bold]:

.

[the video is not embeddable,
go to the link above]

.

#iridology #naturopathicdiagnosis #appliedkinesiology

.

"[host 1] your eyes, your tongue, even your finger nails may show signs that you have a major health problem [...host 2, Valerie Lego] it's a technique that's really been around for thousands of years [...]";

actually, the technique, specifically emphasized in the video as iridology but never named, is only about 200 years old.

"natural health stuff [...] naturopathic medicine is the diagnosis of health conditions [...] and it's all by simply looking into your eyes [...an iridology chart is shown] Kathryn Doran-Fisher is certified in naturopathic medicine [...] she diagnoses clients will all types of health issues [...shown storefront] Elder and Sage Herbs and Natural Remedies [...] Dr. Kathryn Doran-Fisher, ND [...iridology chart shown again and we're told] white spots on the nails indicate too much sugar in the body [...iridology chart shown again and the ND says, looking at the patient's nails] those moons have to do with metabolism.  So when we have moons on all of our fingernails, then that is associated with a good, high metabolism [...host 2] the diagnosis?  Jenn has digestive problems which is causing a build-up of toxins in her blood and clogging her lymph nodes, which is why she's so fatigued.  Doran-Fisher has the remedy [...]  naturopathic medicine is used in many ways even with cancer patients however it should not be substituted for going to your doctor.  It should be used as a compliment [...]";

notice how many times 'diagnose' was used. And then a treatment protocol is shown.

Note: I've never heard of the school she attended.  So, lets go to her web pages.

002.b. her web pages:

002.b1. in 'homepage' [vsc 2012-07-05] we're told:

"Elder & Sage is an herb and natural remedies shop offering products such as [...] supplements [...and] homeopathics [...]";

because 'natural' is better.  Natural, like EMPTY homeopathy remedies.

"Kathryn Doran-Fisher, a board certified naturopathic doctor offers health consultations and provides traditional naturopathic therapies on site. Naturopathy (also known as naturopathic medicine or natural medicine) is a health approach that focuses on natural remedies and the body's ability to heal and maintain itself. The traditional naturopath focuses on lifestyle changes that support the body's innate healing potential. Dr. Kathryn is not a licensed medical doctor. Traditional naturopaths do not diagnose or treat diseases but concentrate on whole body wellness and facilitating the body healing itself. Traditional Naturopaths neither prescribe nor engage in the use of drugs, surgery or disease specific treatments or otherwise practice conventional medicine";

that's fascinating considering what you're shown in the video: diagnosis and treatment of illness / unwellness.  How slimy.

"therapies and techniques used by traditional naturopaths include but are not limited to: herbs, homeopathics, aromatherapy, nutrition, iridology, and muscle response testing [applied kinesiology]";

ah, such good 'natural' company.

002.b2. in "Services & Therapies" [vsc 2012-07-05] we're told:

"forms of assessment: below you will find more detailed descriptions of just a few of the forms of assessment offered from Dr. Kathryn [...] iridology: the iris of the eye is analyzed for colorations and markings that  are associated with body system weaknesses.  Sclerology: analyzing the sclera *whites* of the eyes to determine the most current and pressing health concerns. Facial analysis: analyzing the face, tongue, and hands to determine body system weaknesses and potential problems. Muscle response testing: also known as kinesiology. Determining the body's nutritional needs and product preferences by testing the body's responses to stimuli."

no, they don't diagnose or treat.  They just assess what is wrong with you and tell you want to do about it by selling products from their own dispensary / store.

Is Naturopathic Education Title IV and 'Commerce Health Fraud' Akin to GlaxoSmithKline's?

here, I cite from a recent skeptic's post regarding GlaxoSmithKline's health fraud regulatory schwack (see 001., below); then, I extend that onto North American naturopathic education and naturopathy commerce in general (within my comments to 001., below):

Note:  oh, how many different ways can I iterate this obvious fact, that naturopathy is a licensed falsehood from its textbooks to its educational contents to its clinical operations, essentially?  I've been quite intimate with the racket since the mid 1990s, having been induced by false labels into attending a U.S. school from 1998-2002 using, since I am a simple person of simple means, primarily Title IV student loan monies which I will now owe to the grave.  This blog will continue, in spite of complete complicity in this racket by educational institutions, accreditors, and State and Federal education and commerce regulatory agencies.  To paraphrase Sartre, 'we each get the war we deserve.' 

001. at Neurologica, in "GSK Pays $3 Billion Fine" (2012-07-03), physician Steve Novella writes [my comments are in unquoted bold; the article has also been posted at Science-Based Medicine (2012-07-04)]:

"the pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline, has agreed to pay three billion dollars in fines to settle three charges of fraud brought by the FDA. This is the largest health fraud settlement in US history [...]";

so, fraud.  I'm actually quite surprise at the justice that has been doled out.  It buoys me, somewhat.  By the way, regarding naturopathy, in "Consumer Health: Making Informed Decisions" (ISBN 9781449646455; 2012) naturopathy is described as "a pseudoscientific approach [...] it fails to meet the standards most people would require of the practice of medicine [...including being] based on scientific principles."  But, I won't gloat.

"GSK broke the law [...and] GSK held back data and made unsupported claims [...] according to the settlement GSK violated those rules, not to mention basic ethical behavior [...]";

hmmmm.  I've wondered, being that naturopathy is based on the science-ejected [yes, that is the government of Oregon promoting nonscience as science per 'the essentially naturopathic', and that is what all States licensing naturopathy are an accessory to], is it ILLEGAL for them to engage in commerce both educationally (archived here) and clinically that is marketed as "science-based"?

"the GSK settlement, in my opinion, is just the most recent evidence that industry cannot be left to their own devices without proper monitoring and regulation [...] the public largely expects that with health care issues the government will play some role in protecting the public from fraud, misinformation, unsafe and ineffective products and services. The stakes are just too high to make every consumer fend for themselves in a completely unregulated wild west of health care [...]";

has it become obvious that the naturopathic industry IS UNREGULATED and doing quite horrid things in terms of commerce?  And the government isn't protecting, it is promoting the racket / fraud / misinformation and such.  Homeopathy, by the way, is enmeshed with naturopathy, and it falls well-within the parameters of "ineffective."  I've often described the sweet situation what naturopathy is within as 'Tombstone City', meaning quite unregulated / unenforced and LAWLESS.  If I could, I'd sue them all, from the Federal education apparatus right down to the individual naturopathy practitioner.

"I hasten to add that everything I said above is also true of other private segments of the health care industry, including [...] the alternative medicine industry [...] supplements and CAM are big business. They routinely misrepresent scientific information, make unsupported claims for their treatments [and] ignore data about lack of safety or effectiveness [...] treatments that are scientifically dubious or even disproved [...] they have been remarkably successful in eliminating regulations designed to protect the public from their own fraud [...]";

oh, and sCAM is quite rightly an area of commerce / trade including its educational wing which is indirectly and directly Federally accredited and therein gets the sCAMsters rights to Federal loan monies.  Naturopathy does this by licensing their fraud, and therein they are a licensed falsehood that no enforcement branch wants to tangle with.

"I think we need fair and consistent science-based regulation across the board. No double standards, no false dichotomies. I agree that GSK should be heavily fined for making unsupported claims for its products. And so should every company selling herbs, supplements, fanciful treatment, and dubious products with unsupported claims. Instead they are shielded by industry friendly and anti-consumer laws crafted by the industry itself [...]";

brother, you said it.

002. overall note: 

by the way, according the University of Bridgeport, my alma mater that I left voluntarily due to the absurdity of being ethically bound to the unethical [the essentially naturopathic], as of 2012-07, UB states that the average amount of indebtedness for their 4-year naturopathic degree via STUDENT LOANS is $162,000 [vsc 2012-07-03].

that page also notes that one can carry as much as a quarter of a million dollars in aggregate debt, which I assume would be their ND program and loans previous to that.

and that falsehood indebtedness is not something that one can later slough-off with something like a bankruptcy filing.  It simply becomes part of your DNA.  Who are the parties involved?

I'd include: the AANP, the CAND, the CNME, NABNE, all the State and Provincial organizations and their members, all the regionally accredited schools and their accreditors, and the Federal educational system both in terms of irregulation and financial backing.

sounds like a RICO thing to me, with a racket being "engaged in the sale of a solution to a problem that the institution itself creates or perpetuates, with the specific intent to engender continual patronage."

one such false problem that naturopathy postures is the claim that they, and not regular medicine, "treat the cause" with regular medicine mainly "suppressing symptoms."  In other words, what naturopathy mainly claims is that they are helpful and effective, while regular medicine is exploitative and milking the public for financial gain.

truly, naturopathy is the ultimate reversal of values.

Changelog 2012-07-01 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 Ingram and ND Shortt;

ND Jobanputra; ND Jiwani; ND Jenkins;

to Appendix B.05.i.c.04.

[and added bio. links];

ND Gryner; ND Gratton;

to Appendix B.05.i.c.00.;

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

Carlson, M. (ND Bastyr), Carlson, J.L. (ND Bastyr), Shah, S. (ND Bastyr) of Radiant Naturopathic Wellness Center [for bio.s, click here] state in "Radiant Naturopathic Wellness Clinic in Redmond, WA" [vsc 2012-06-30]:

.

.

tags: #highethicalstandards #underlyingcause #promisedprevention

#promisedcontrol #highestqualityhealthcare

.

"[the video states, within my comments in unquoted bold] are you ready to join a fast growing population of people who are ready to take control of their health and improve their quality of life through preventive and natural medicine? [...]";

ah, so these are the marketing terms, 'preventative' and of course, 'natural.'  There is a promise of "control" and 'improvement.'

"Radiant Naturopathic Wellness Clinic [...] provides personalized healthcare solutions that you can trust [...]";

interesting, I'm told by them that I can trust them.

"we specialize in using medicine preventatively to impact and slow disease states by discovering and targeting their underlying cause [...]";

oh, that insinuation again, that unlike regular medicine naturopathy knows something MORE FUNDAMENTAL.

"preventing expensive hospital visits and emergency care, and increases your overall quality of life and the time you get to do the things you love [...]";

quite a promise.

"our doctors act as educators, guides, and advocates for you [...] and strive to deliver you the highest quality healthcare [...] while maintaining the highest level of ethical standards and integrity [...]";

again, quite a promise.

"some of the health concerns we can treat are: Low Back and Muscle/Joint Pain, Diabetes and Endocrine and Thyroid Disorders, Asthma, Allergies, and Respiratory Conditions, Colds, Flus and Acute Infections, Ear Infections and Sinusitis, IBS, IBD, GERD and other Intestinal Conditions, Menopause, PMS, and Hormone Imbalances, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol and Heart/Vascular Disease, Migraine, TMJ and Neck Pain,  Anxiety and Depression, Fatigue and Fibromyalgia, Obesity, PCOS, and Infertility, Urinary and Vaginal Infection, Adjunct Cancer Care [...]";

sounds like general medicine to me.

"so come visit us today at Radiantnaturopathic.com [...]";

so lets go there.

002.b. their web pages:

002.b1. the bio. [from the link above] of ND Shah states:

"my name is Dr. Sheetal Shah, I am a licensed naturopathic physician in the state of Washington [...] I discovered Bastyr University. Bastyr University is a pioneer institution in the natural medicine field [...] the field of health sciences [...] my 5 years of doctoral studies [...] education: doctor of naturopathic medicine (ND) from Bastyr University of Health Sciences [...] I use many different modalities such as [...] craniosacral therapy [CST...having a] Certificate in Advanced CranioSacral therapy with Integrative Therapeutics (ITI) and the Upledger Institute [...]";

oh, that beautiful science label upon naturopathy, and that so absurd CST.

002.b2. the bio. of ND Carlson, J.L. states:

"Dr. Jean Lowe Carlson is a licensed Naturopathic Physician in the state of Washington [...] she has been intricately studying how the body interacts with the mind/spirit/emotions and assists patients to explore these connections through craniosacral therapy, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and homeopathy [...] education: doctorate in naturopathic medicine Bastyr University, Kenmore WA [...] Certificate in Advanced Homeopathy, New England School of Homeopathy, Amherst MA [...]  Certificate in Advanced CranioSacral Technique with Faith Christensen, Seattle WA [...]";

ah, again CST and HOMEOPATHY.

002.b3. the bio. of ND Carlson, M. states:

"Dr. Matt Carlson [...] believes strongly in working together with each patient to develop a functional treatment plan that utilizes least-force interventions while drawing from all available evidence based options [...] doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine: Bastyr University, Kenmore WA • Masters of Science in Acupuncture  Bastyr University, Kenmore WA [...]";

therein, the claim of evidence and the claim that acupuncture is science.

002.c. in "Frequently Asked Questions" [saved 2012-06-30] were told: 

"what is craniosacral therapy? [...] the therapist uses very light touch to palpate restrictions in the fascia of the body and the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as it moves through the cranium and spine. Fascial restrictions and altered CSF flow are often the result of physical and emotional traumas, or chronic stress. The practitioner senses and gently releases any restrictions while working on the patient. This results in increased 'qi' or energy flow through the body which can cause deep relaxation, reduction in pain, improvement in structural alignment, as well as increased blood flow to organs and tissues. Craniosacral is helpful for recent or past physical and emotional traumas, musculoskeletal pain, headaches, TMJ, and stress induced complaints."

when you are lying on your back and someone is holding your head in their hands...are we really to believe that something PARTICULAR is happening along the lines that are explained above?  I mean, REALLY? It figures that this version of laying on of hands has to invoke the figmentation known as qi.  There is quite an egregious claim of efficacy here.

Note: meanwhile, though the NDs at this practice posed a posture of  "control [...] trust [...] educators, guides, and advocates for you [...] highest quality healthcare [...] highest level of ethical standards and integrity [...] science" what people get, in part, is nonsense therapeutics like homeopathy and craniosacral therapy posed as effective [and not honestly communicated to be the science-ejected parlor tricks that they truly are].  

likely the greatest ethical breach is, overall, labeling 'the naturopathic' science and then, when you dig down and literally go down the trunk of the naturopathy tree to its essence, you find [quite undisclosed, of course] pseudoscience, wherein imaginary figmentations are falsely labeled scientifically supported.

7 Arizona Naturopaths Claim Homeopathy is Highly Effective

here, I cite from an Arizona naturopathy practice and their absurd claim that empty pills = homeopathy is extremely effective [see 001., below]: 

001. DiCampli, J. (NMD SCNM), Marchese, M. (NMD NCNM), Orona, S. (ND NCNM), Psenka, J. (ND SCNM), Purcell, A. (NMD SCNM), Retz, M. (ND SCNM), Tamburri, P. (NMD  SCNM) of Longevity Medical Health Center state in "Homeopathic Medicine" [vsc 2012-06-29]:

"homeopathic medicine, or homeopathy, is a holistic system of medicine [...] homeopathy is a highly effective treatment for both acute and chronic conditions ranging from allergies and migraines to depression and concentration problems. It is extremely safe and can, therefore, be used with all age groups, including infants."

Note: so, that's quite an efficacy claim.  Except for the fact that empty remedies are not medicine or treatment, and therein cannot be highly effective for the diseases listed.  I do agree it is extremely safe, but it is WRONG in so many ways.  The alma maters of these naturopaths also state this absurd efficacy claim.

NCNM has, apparently, a blog / wiki page, wherein it is written "Samuel Hahnemann demonstrated many historical contributions to the science of homeopathy; establishing it as an effective and substantial means of cure of disease."

SCNM has a page that states "homeopathy is really quite extraordinary. It is safe, gentle, non-toxic, and amazingly effective for people of all ages."

wrong in terms of efficacy.

002. speaking of WRONG, these same naturopaths' web page "Acupuncture" [vsc 2012-06-29; my comments are in unquoted bold] states:

"acupuncture [...is] the practice of inserting very fine needles into the skin to stimulate specific anatomic points in the body (called acupoints or acupuncture points) for therapeutic purposes [...]";

except there are no such anatomical points.  They are imaginary.

"the acupoints (acupuncture points) are stimulated to balance the movement of energy (qi) in the body to restore health [...] acupuncture is used to regulate or correct the flow of qi to restore health [...]";

except qi doesn't actually exist.

Note: and such is the nonsense that makes up so much of the essentially naturopathic.  The skeptics' label that, these days, has become synonymous with such 'magic beans and unicorn tears' is witchcraft.

Changelog 2012-06-23

here, I summarize this week's additions to my public naturopathy database [no video this week]:

001. added:

the 'vitalism is science-ejected' claim of:

Caulfield, T. (? ?) in 

"The Cure for Everything: Untangling Twisted Messages About Health, Fitness, and Happiness" 

(2012; ISBN 0807022055 978-0807022054)

to Appendix C.06.b.

On Naturopathy: Timothy Caulfield's ISBN 0807022055 978-0807022054

here, I quote from and comment upon a recent book regarding its take on naturopathy:

001. Timothy Caulfield writes  "The Cure for Everything: Untangling Twisted Messages About Health, Fitness, and Happiness" (ISBN 0807022055 978-0807022054; 2012)[my comments are in unquoted bold, the hardcover edition was a mere $17 recently at Amazon.com; the Vancouver Sun has a review up too]:

"naturopathy has a long history. It emerged out of the nature-cures movement that thrived throughout Europe in the 1800s. A dominant figure in this movement was a German, Sebastian Kneipp, who believed that a kind of water therapy-basically cold baths, hot baths, and 'gushes' or blasts of water from a watering can or hose-had cured him of an ailment he had acquired by studying too hard for the priesthood. He was run-down from his priestly exertions, and the water cure brought back his vitality [p.136...]";

I think people forget just how young medicine specifically informed from science is.  The 1800s not only had a lot of new religious movements spring up, but a lot of weird ideas about diseases and their treatment.   Even in 1998-2000, when I was early on in naturopathy school, there was a hydrotherapy class whose claims I thought were mostly absurd.

"naturopathy is not a particular treatment modality [...] it is not a constellation of treatments that focus on a particular ailment or a specific part of the body [...] nor is it a systematic and testable approach to understanding human biology and the disease process, like, well, science. Naturopathy is, rather, a worldview. It is a philosophical approach to health and as a result can include the use of any remedy that falls within the belief system. While naturopathy has evolved since the days of Lust, the basic tenets remain the same [...]";

so, here we are reminded naturopathy isn't science!  Overall, at its core, I agree.  Its philosophical claims are actually antiscientific and pseudoscientific, in my view.  The belief system's basic tenets can be found at the oldest school in North America, NCNM.  This is where they say science-exterior content survives scientific scrutiny.  The false label that the AANP Alliance used to describe naturopathy is archived c1999 here, "naturopathic physicians are the modern day science based primary care doctor. [...] naturopathic medicine is not a technique but a way of life. It is not a belief system."  It is a nonscientific belief system, at its core.

"at its core, and as implied by the name, naturopathy is largely focused on the healing powers of nature [aka] vis medicatrix naturae and a belief in the inherent self-healing powers of the human body. Lust and his followers took these beliefs to the extreme, eschewing anything that could he viewed as an unnatural contaminant [...] the movement that gave rise to its birth - the European nature-cures trend - was largely founded on a belief in an amorphous vital force present in all living things [...] this unwavering faith in the powers of the vital life force found in nature is a nice enough idea, but it’s one without any scientific foundation [...] the naturopath philosophy, in particular, the belief in a vital life force and the healing power of nature [...]";

agreed. Now if you notice from NCNM's page, the vital force IS the healing power of nature.  They state "in fact [...] nature heals through the response of the life force."

"naturopathy is not, at its core, either scientifically informed or evidence based. Naturopaths offer some sensible advice -- eat well, get lots of sleep, and exercise -- but this does not make naturopathy evidenced based. These practices are recommended because they align with naturopathic philosophy, not because they have satisfied some rigorous, scientific, naturopathy-led inquiry into their value [...]";

oh snap, agreed again.

"James Whorton, professor emeritus at the University of Washington School of Medicine [...states] 'there is understandable suspicion [held by those in the scientific community] that naturopaths are under a philosophical constraint,' Whorton told me. 'Are naturopaths so wedded to a nature-cures approach that there is an uncritical acceptance of any remedy that accords with this worldview? This seems likely.  This philosophy prejudices and twists the evidence. If the scientific research tells us that a remedy does not work, will the philosophy allow the naturopath to see the reality of the situation?' If one looks at the types of remedies currently provided by naturopaths, the answer to this question must be a resounding no [...]";

wow.  Agreed as well.

"naturopathic medicine [...] the practice remains, at its core, based on a nonscientific philosophy [...yet] they want the legitimacy, mainstream acceptance, and prestige that comes from a perceived science-based approach to health [...] but they must also continue the embrace a defining philosophical framework. As noted by Whorton, it is very difficult to be both evidence based and tied to a mystical philosophy [...and] the philosophy is paramount [...] and what if science does not advance naturopathic medicine? It gets ignored [...]";

yep.

"in 2009 [...] I wrote a commentary with a few colleagues for the Vancouver Sun. We cautioned against expanding the legal scope of practice for naturopaths and we pushed for an evidence-based approach to health-care decisions [...] the head of the British Columbia Naturopathic Association called our article 'misinformation of the worst kind.' He wrote: 'the science behind naturopathic medicine is substantiated by voluminous research conducted by independent, third-party medical experts. In fact, the science behind naturopathic and standard medicine is not different; it is the philosophy behind the application of that science that differentiates naturopathic doctors NDs and medical doctors.' The claim that naturopathic medicine is substantiated by the kind of research he describes is false. Regarding the rest of his statement, it’s hard to argue with the proposition that it is the philosophy behind naturopathy that distinguishes it from more science-based approaches. This is my point."

and a fine point it is. I remember reading the exchange.  A major study published in 2011 by Caulfield et al. was reported upon by Canada's National Post in a piece titled "Alternative Medicine 'Unscientific' Study Warns."

002. regarding constricting philosophies, from Popular Science Monthly c1890:

"sectarian teaching begins when you ask a man or a child to assume what can not be proved, for the sake of keeping within the dogmatic lines that fence round some particular creed."

sounds like naturopathy to me.