Naturopathy's [false] Superscience / Science-experise Claim - Burnett & Burnett (NDs Bastyr) 2009:

here, I cite the 'science-expertise' words of two NDs regarding their naturopathy education [see 001.a., below]; and then show how this claim is completely bogus [see 002., below]; with emphasis that the 'math of the sCAM' is obvious:

001. NDs Burnett, M. (ND Bastyr 2003) and Burnett, R. (ND Bastyr 2004) state in "Naturopathic Medicine":

001.a. naturopathy's science-expertise / superscience position:

"naturopathic physicians (NDs) are the highest trained practitioners in the broadest scope of naturopathic medical modalities [...having studied] the basic medical sciences [...] naturopathic medicine [...is a] science [...] 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 [...our methods include the] scientific [...we study] the same basic sciences as an M.D. [...] naturopathic medical education comparative curricula [...per the] curriculum directory of the Association of American Medical Colleges [...] basic and clinical sciences [comparison...] NCNM: 1543; Bastyr: 1639; JH: 1771; YL: 1420; ST: 1383 [...] naturopathic medicine [...is] as new as the latest discoveries in biochemical sciences [...we have] an ongoing commitment to state-of-the-art scientific research [...] naturopathic philosophy serves as the basis for naturopathic practice."

Note: NDs claim that the principles of naturopathy -- their basis -- survive scientific scrutiny [are scientific], and that overall, NDs have 'science expertise', as measured by 'science course hours' GREATER than many Ivy League MD programs. Science, science, science!!!

001.b. in this same web document, these NDs also state -- after having stated that naturopathy's principles survive scientific scrutiny -- the PRIMARY premise of naturopathy, per:

"naturopathic principles: [#1] the healing power of nature - vis medicatrix naturae [HPN-VMN]: naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent self-healing ability in the body that is ordered and intelligent [...] this healing ability [...#3] stimulate the healing power of nature: support the bodies [sp., body's] natural healing mechanisms [...] homeopathic medicine [...] works on a subtle yet powerful electromagnetic level [!!!], gently acting to strengthen the body's healing and immune response [BHIR]."

Note: though this is naturopathy's central premise, nowhere on this page is an ACTUAL / TRANSPARENT definition of naturopathy's central premise given -- in CONTEXT. Instead, these NDs choose to CODE vitalism in other-than-honest language.

002. HPN-VMN-BHIR is, truly and essentially -- in context, as honestly expressed -- the science-ejected premise of vitalism [life force, vital force, chi / qi, dynamis, prana etc.]:

so, you ARE NOT being INFORMED HONESTLY and by no means scientifically, while these NDs state on this web page that they have studied "ethics" in addition to their supposed EXTREME science-expertise.

003. the math:

naturopathy is a complete sCAM in stating that 'the vitalistic [coded] science-ejected' is scientific!!!

Note: what's interesting too is the complete lack of the term "spirit" on this web page, since spiritism is an essential naturopathic principle.

Honesty, on the other hand, appears optional.

Natural Medicine: The Nonscientific Mislabeled as Science -- Bastyr University via SPI, 2008-10-26:

here, I cite 'a clinician-graduate journalistically, scientifically, & academically representing Bastyr University' [Seattle Post Intelligencer, BU- BCNH respectively] whose mutual claim is that the body is governed by a "life energy" [vital force, qi] and that such survives scientific scrutiny [see 001.a. & 001.b., below]; while, truly, such a figment is actually PROFOUNDLY scientifically-ejected [see note for 001.b., below]; so, I warn the public about bad-science per BU nonsense / antiscience, and bad-journalism per SPI nonsense, in this light:

001. 'scientific qi' nonsense:

001.a. Bastyr University's Kaiser, C. (M.S.A.O.M. Bastyr, L.Ac. WA -- "resident at Bastyr Center for Natural Health") states in the Seattle Post Intelligencer's "Improving Digestion With Traditional Chinese Medicine":

"traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) believes [...] the proper amount and flow of qi, or life energy, constitute[sp., s] the foundation of health, according to TCM [and naturopathy overall]. Digestive complaints are signs of imbalance, commonly due to either insufficient qi or a compromised flow of qi. Poor diet or working too much can lead to too little qi, while stress is a common cause of improperly flowing qi. Acupuncture is a technique used in TCM that utilizes hair-thin needles inserted at precise locations to manipulate the body's qi and remove blockages, allowing it to flow more freely. Clinically, acupuncture successfully alleviates many digestive complaints by increasing your body's digestive energy [{pretty extreme-a-claim for this placebo-level treatment modality!!!}...and, we are assured] nonprofit, accredited Bastyr University (bastyr.edu) offers multiple degrees in the natural health sciences, and clinical training at Bastyr Center for Natural Health (bastyrcenter.org) the region's largest natural medicine clinic."

Note: their logic is that "qi or life energy" is within TCM is within natural health is within natural medicine is within natural health sciences. Overall, the claim is that qi is within 'the scientific.' Hmmm: that's science-illiterate [see note for 001.b., below]!!!

001.b. BU's BCNH directly tells us at their web page in "Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine":

"the basis of acupuncture is an energy force known as qi (roughly pronounced 'chee'). A person’s health is influenced by the flow of this energy, or qi, in the body. If the flow of qi is insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted, illness may occur. Qi travels throughout the body along pathways called 'channels.' The acupuncture points are specific locations where the channels are accessible and where qi is easily directed by the placement of needles, moxibustion or acupressure. Acupuncture is used to balance the opposing forces of yin and yang, keep the normal flow of qi unblocked, and maintain or restore health."

Note: yet, back in reality, we find that such 'qi' vitalism is TRULY & profoundly science-ejected.

002. Kaiser's BU-BCNH CV states in "Our Providers":

"Ms. Kaiser holds a bachelor's and master's in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Bastyr University and is a member of the Washington Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Association and the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine."

Note: she is through and through, 'of Bastyr'!

003. the status of science at Bastyr [anything is science nonsense!]:

003.a. you should note that Bastyr's mission statement conflates the scientific and the nonscientific and then falsely labels the whole thing science, as clearly stated in "Bastyr University" by "Acupuncture Today":

"[an ad] Bastyr University's goal is to be the world's leading academic center for advancing knowledge in the natural health sciences. Its mission is to educate future leaders in natural health sciences that integrate [blend, conflate] mind, body, spirit and nature [with 'nature' roughly being a coding of naturopathy's 'central vitalistic premise'...] Bastyr University offers degrees in naturopathic medicine, acupuncture and Oriental medicine, nutrition, herbal sciences, health psychology, and exercise science and wellness [...and per our SPI author, a] Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MSAOM)."

Note: caution! When you do the math, science has no meaning when used as a label by this institution because, clearly, Bastyr does not make the normal distinctions that the community of scientists do to distinguish between what science contains and supports [and that's a rigorous, continuous, collective assessment process] and what science has ejected and does not support [like the dogmatic vitalisms and supernaturalisms of antiscientific sectarian medical systems like TCM and naturopathy!].

In fact, Bastyr has set as its goal the eradication of such SANE epistemic delineation -- which I call "the epistemic conflation of a school of thought claiming to be scientific" -- while actual science:

a) rejects & does not support vitalisms;

b) rejects & does not support supernaturalisms.

004. this is a bait and switch, comprised of, in this example:

pseudojouralism [for the professional standards of excellent journalism, visit SPJ];

pseudoscience [for the professional standards of modern scientific medicine, visit AIM];

academic dishonesty [for an example of such, visit Wikipedia].

Decoding Naturopathy's Essential Vitalism - Johns Hopkins University via OBNE 2009:

here, I demonstrate how inadequate explanations of naturopathic medicine usually are, even by such an esteemed institution as Johns Hopkins University [JHU; see 001., below]; and using the State of Oregon [SO] as a key to decode what JHU opaquely offers -- even though SO is SO wrong about the scientific status of vitalism [!!!] -- we can see that naturopathy is in fact based upon vitalism, a profoundly science-ejected concept [see 002., below]:

001. JHU states in "A Career in Naturopathic Medicine":

"the six fundamental principles of naturopathic medicine [include #1] the healing power of nature [HPN]. Trust in the body’s inherent wisdom to heal itself."

Note: and that is all that is said about that! Nowhere is naturopathy's HPN context, as truly defined within naturopathy per the science-ejected concept of 'a purposeful life spirit bioagency', honestly expressed -- in JHU's entire document! So, let's illuminate the premise: because, as happens with naturopathy -- galore -- we are not being adequately informed.

002. SO states in "Naturopathy":

"the healing power of nature. Vis medicatrix naturae. [This means for naturopathy that] 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 [...per] the vitalistic tradition of medicine [...wherein] methods of treatments are chosen to work with the patient’s vital force [...aka] the body’s innate healing response [...wherein] symptoms [...] in fact [are] an expression of the life force attempting to heal itself [...and] these principles are based on the objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually reexamined in light of scientific analysis."

Note: so, we get a half-truth from SO, in that HPN is basically vitalism. Yet, SO claims this concept survives scientific scrutiny, which is PROFOUNDLY not true.

003. in sum:

each institution is an accessory to naturopathy's deception, just in different ways:

occult vitalism per 001.,

absurd pseudoscience per 002.

The Science-Ejected Vitalism of Bridgeport Hospital 2009:

001. Bridgeport Hospital [CT] states in "Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Chinese Medicine":

"traditional Chinese medicine is thousands of years old and has changed little over the centuries [sounds scientific!!!]. As a complete system of healthcare, Chinese medicine's basic concept is that a vital force of life surges through the body (also called qi). Any imbalance to this life force can cause disease and illness, according to Chinese medicine [superstition!]. The imbalance, in turn, is caused by an imbalance in the opposite and complementary forces that make up the life force, called yin and yang. To regain balance, the belief [quite appropriate a label; better yet, 'misbelief'] is that the balance between the internal body organs and the external elements of earth, fire, water, wood, and metal must be adjusted [quite neolithic!]. Treatment to regain balance may involve: acupuncture, moxibustion (the burning of herbal leaves on or near the body), cupping (the use of warmed glass jars to create suction on certain points of the body), massage, herbal remedies, movement and concentration exercises (such as tai chi)."

Note: TCM's essential premise is that physiology is controlled by "vital force of life" = "qi" = "life force" = "yin and yang" = "belief" which their therapies influence.

002. meanwhile, such vitalism is profoundly science-ejected. Qi simply does not exist, never mind influencing it.

Note: why doesn't Bridgeport Hospital mention that [hint: $$$]?

Aren't they therein violating a premise that overarches all of modern medicine: informed consent?

The Academic Ethos of Phi Beta Kappa, & the Absurdity of UB Naturopathy - 2009:

here, I compare two aspects of my personal history: my Phi Beta Kappa 'ethical obligation', so to speak [see 001., below]; and what I know about the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine's 'academic absurdity' [see 002., below]; and finally a warning [see 003., below]:

001. the Phi Beta Kappa Society states in "About PBK":

"Phi Beta Kappa celebrates and advocates excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. Its campus chapters invite for induction the most outstanding arts and sciences students at America’s leading colleges and universities. The Society sponsors activities to advance these studies — the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences — in higher education and in society at large [...it is] the nation's oldest and most widely known academic honor society [...PBK's motto is] 'love of learning is the guide of life' [...it was] founded December 5, 1776 [...and] for over two and a quarter centuries, the Society has embraced the principles of freedom of inquiry and liberty of thought and expression [...and] personal freedom, scientific inquiry, liberty of conscience and creative endeavor."

Note: I was inducted 1994-05-04 at the City University of New York's Lehman College.

002. meanwhile, academic naturopathy -- pathologically, deceptively: in a most unexcellent, antiscientific and absurd manner -- at the University of Bridgeport:

claims that the profoundly nonscientific vitalistic sectarian

[e.g., 2006-2008 catalog, p.291: "students will gain an important perspective of the vital force and its role in the healing process"]

survives scientific scrutiny [they categorize such as nonsectarian "science"]!

Perhaps UB's motto should be: 'deception is the guide of naturopathy', because such sectarian vitalism has been profoundly science-ejected minimally for several decades.

I attended UB's ND program 1998-2002, and complaints are on file with the relevant overseers.

003. warning:

003.a. if you are a free-thinker:

"freethinkers strive to build their beliefs on the basis of facts, scientific inquiry, and logical principles, independent of any factual/logical fallacies or intellectually-limiting effects of authority, cognitive bias, conventional wisdom, popular culture, prejudice, sectarianism [!!!], tradition, urban legend, and all other dogmatic or otherwise fallacious principles. As such, when applied to religion, the philosophy of freethought holds that, given presently-known facts, established theories, and logical principles, there is insufficient evidence to support the existence of supernatural phenomena";

003.b. and believe in "liberty of thought":

"freedom of thought (also called freedom of conscience and freedom of ideas) is the freedom of an individual to hold or consider a fact, viewpoint, or thought, independent of others' viewpoints. It is closely related to, yet distinct from, the concept of freedom of expression";

003.c. and are inquiring per "freedom of inquiry",

003.d. and you are attempting to fulfill that PBK ethos of 'scientific and philosophical excellence':

beware of the absurdity known as naturopathy, an 'unethical sectarian pseudoscience.'

'Treating the Source': Upcoming Vitalism Pow-Wow - Life University, 2009:

here, I quote from the "Vitalism Conference" press release by Life University's 'The Life Source Octagon: A Center For Infinite Thinking' [whatever that means] going to be held 2009-04-17&18 [see 001., below], which will include various CAM vitalists -- including one from naturopathy:

001. LU states:

"vis medicatrix naturae: stewardship of the source of healing [...per] vitalistic philosophy [...] for clinical practice, policy-making, education and beyond [...speakers include] Kaeufer [...] Greco [...speaking about] The New Vitalism [...and its relation to] health, healing, and beyond [...] Russell [...per this] fundamental cosmology and philosophy [...] Fisher [...who] will share insights about how vitalistic philosophy serves to explain or 'hold' the art and science [!!!] of homeopathy [...] Joseph Pizzorno, ND, past president of Bastyr University and author of [the] Textbook of Natural Medicine [who] will share his insights about vitalism and naturopathic philosophy [...] Koch [...who] will share how the new vitalism and chiropractic are inextricably woven together [...] Morris [...who] will talk about the alignment of Asian medicine and vitalism [...] Guha [...who] will share how ayurvedic medicine sees the principles and application of vitalism [...] Roberts [...who] will help us understand how physicians are dissatisfied with reductionistic and mechanistic models [that is, science!; and] are seeking to build new bridges with naturalistic [!!!; huh???] health professions [!!!...] Coulter [...who'll discuss] the potential power of a collective movement around vitalism [...it's] day and a half-long conference [...] to help us use the philosophy of vitalism."

002. note 01:

vitalism is profoundly science-ejected! Notice with this conference that, apparently, NO NEW SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS justifying vitalism are at all mentioned -- because there aren't any!!! Vitalists don't even try ACTUAL SCIENCE. Instead, they verbalize!

003. note 02:

it is common, by the way, in much the same way this press release does per its 'treating the source of healing / cause of disease' language at its beginning, for NDs to MERELY state their vitalistic intent in a coded / opaque manner, never transparently stating their essential vitalism to the public in any kind of honest way:

e.g., per Korsunsky, S. (ND CCNM 2006) in "Naturopathic Medicine":

"naturopathic doctors [...] support the body’s healing processes [...] NDs try to find and remove the underlying physical, emotional, and spiritual causes of disease and distress [...] naturopathic medicine recognizes the connectivity of body, mind and spirit [...] support the healing power of nature. The inherent healing powers of nature and the body are honored and every effort is make to facilitate these [...] naturopathic medicine treats the cause of disease."

Nowhere on this ND's cited page is naturopathy's essential vitalism expressed in any form of transparent language! There is, of course, PILES OF SUPERNATURALISM per spirit.

But, perhaps this is helpful: coincidentally, Pizzorno, 'who authored that ND textbook' [filled with vitalism and supernaturalism] and the ND-vitalist mentioned in this press release, states in his own book "Total Wellness" (1997; ISBN 076151094X) that the vitalism of naturopathy is aka "spirit".

Hmmm, very naturalistic!!! Very scientific!!!

The underlying cause of disease in naturopathy is spiritual.

ND vitalism can be summed up as a sectarian belief in 'an underlying intelligent life spirit bioagency' aka 'god power within' -- in my view.

Naturopathy's Essential Vitalism - NCANP 2009:

here, I quote from the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians [NCANP], an AANP affiliate, regarding NDs' essential vitalistic premise:

001. NCANP states in "Welcome to www.ncanp.com":

"naturopathic medicine is a primary health care profession emphasizing prevention and treatment of disease with the use of natural non-toxic therapies. The naturopathic perspective views each person as a whole and recognizes the healing force within each individual. Natural therapies are used to support and stimulate that vital healing force. A naturopathic doctor addresses the underlying cause or imbalance within a person rather than simply treating one’s problem symptomatically. Naturopathic therapies include clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, physical medicine and lifestyle counseling."

Note: the claim of "profession", and a specific & actual "healing force" aka "vital healing force." Yet, such a vital healing force does not exist, scientifically speaking, and treating disease is medicine, which is obligated to science.

002. naturopathy is quite an absurdity:

claiming as 'professions-level medical science' that which is actually as scientific as the Tooth Fairy.

Falsely Claiming Naturopathy As A Branch of Medical Science - Missouri State University 2009:

here, I refer to a Missouri State University webpage that misleads the public by falsely labeling naturopathy a branch of medical science:

001. MSU's Department of Biomedical Sciences states in "Naturopathic Physician (NDs)":

"naturopathic physicians cooperate with all other branches of medical science [...and we're told that the essential] principles of naturopathic medcine [sp., medicine; include #1] the healing power of nature [HPN, and that's it about that...that] the naturopathic physician treats the 'whole person' - mind, body, and spirit [...and that NDs' schools include the] University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine [UBCNM]."

Note: nowhere on this page is the term "life force" or "vital force." There is no transparent language clearly and honestly explaining the central premise of naturopathy! So, we must therein DECODE naturopathy's essential vitalism: HPN is a code for naturopathy's essential vitalistic premise, as provided by UBCNM; while NDs' supernatural-spiritism is obvious, but here's UBCNM's anyway.

002. such vitalism is profoundly science-ejected, as well as such supernaturalism.

003. the math [something is not within a category it is essentially excluded from!]:

the essentially naturopathic is PROFOUNDLY not scientific, and putting the misleading label "science" upon the HUGELY nonscientific is quite a deceptive practice, from any institution!

NYU's Scienceline: Science is Pseudoscience (Aka Reporting the Latter As If It Is The Former) 2009:

here, I reflect on something rather odd: a well-known University's science journalism outlet -- New York University's Scienceline [NYUS] -- reporting on naturopathic medicine and falsely labeling it science [see 001., below] , without any warning concerning the 'actually naturopathic pseudoscientific'. Wow!!!:

001. NYUS states in "Healing the Body Naturally" (2009-01-24) as reported by Bond, A. (? ?):

"Profiles in Science [Really, science!]. Health. 'Healing the Body Naturally'[...e.g.] naturopathy, or treating many ailments of the body with acupuncture, homeopathy and medicinal herbs [...] naturopathic medicine [is] a field that focuses on enhancing the body’s ability to heal itself [{this is a coding for their vitalistic premise, folks! That typical ND nontransparency!}...it] 'support[s] your body’s chemistry' [...he studied] at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut [...where] he learned the basics of the herbal medicine, acupuncture and homeopathy now central to his practice [...] Hanson remains dedicated to the benefits of naturopathy, which includes practices like acupuncture, homeopathy and herbal medicine [...] instead of taking the standard antibiotic treatment for strep throat, for example, he [Hanson] battled the condition with homeopathy that healed him overnight [...] the homeopathic, herbal and other treatments Hanson prescribes."

Note: so, Scienceline explicitly labels naturopathy a "science", including its vitalism-based homeopathy [vital force, dynamis] and acupuncture [chi / qi], while both are quite placebo!!!.

002. NYUS's mission is described in "Scienceline, The Next Generation" (2007-01-22) by editor in chief Knight, M. (? ?):

"Scienceline. The shortest distance between you and science. A project of NYU's Science, Health, and Environmental Reporting Program [...] novel stories you won’t find on other science websites [...] this is a valuable opportunity for us, the 25th class of NYU’s Science, Health, and Environmental Reporting Program."

003. the nonscientific 'essentially naturopathic'. It is not too difficult -- if a journalist or an editor made a modicum of effort -- to discover 'the essentially naturopathic' and the status of such in terms of science:

003.a. the two central / essential premises of naturopathy, vitalism and supernaturalism;

003.b. the profound nonscientific status of such vitalism and supernaturalism [I won't even link to such for supernaturalism!];

003.c. and yet, naturopathy calls itself science, still and obviously, is considered such by NYUS.

Note: claiming as science what profoundly isn't science places naturopathy squarely in the category of pseudoscience.

004. Scienceline is obviously unable to demarcate something so incredibly obvious via today's internet as naturopathy's nonsensical claim that the scientific and the nonscientific are actually the same thing, "science." Absurd! Scienceline is actually promoting such junk thought as if it where legitimate science!

[I must admit to having been a graduate student at both UB and NYU].