NMW and the "Science" and "Nature" of Naturopathy - ND Barlow & NSAND 2010:

here, I explore the language used by ND Barlow this Naturopathic Medicine Week [NMW] in Canada which labels naturopathy "science" and 'natural' [see 001., below]; then, I explore the science claims of naturopathy [see 002., below]; and then, the "nature" of naturopathy via the Nova Scotia Association of Naturopathic Doctors [NSAND] and the University of Bridgeport [UB; see 003., below]:

001. Barlow, B. (ND BINM 2009) states in "Naturopathic Medicine Week" (2010-05-05):

"naturopathic medicine is a holistic approach to medicine rooted in science and nature."

Note: lets analyze that.

002. the science of naturopathy:

002.a. naturopathy claims to be a branch of medical science.  In Canada, here's a premier claim from the Nova Scotia Association of Naturopathic Doctors [NSAND] who state in "What is a Naturopathic Doctor?" [vsc 2010-05-05]:

"naturopathic doctors [...] cooperate with other branches of medical science  [...and speaks of the] science of disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention."

Note: science, science, science.

003. the nature of naturopathy:

003.a. on that same NSAND page, there is mention of the importance of "nature," just as with the Barlow citation:

"the practice of naturopathic medicine is based on 6 principles: [#1] the healing power of nature: the body is a self-regulating and self-healing organism. It is a naturopathic doctors job to guide the patient in removing any obstacles to this healing process and to choose therapies that gently support and stimulate normal function."

Note: you'd think that that alone explains itself.  But, there is a context that is not being communicated / it is coded, and it is important.

003.b. the hidden context of naturopathy, as unexpressed by Barlow and NSAND, is the science-ejected concept of vitalism as expressed by the University of Bridgeport in "Six Guiding Principles: Guiding Principle #1, The Healing Power of Nature, Viz 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, to act to identify and remove obstacles to health and recovery, and to support the creation of a healthy internal and external environment."

Note: such vitalism is hugely sectarian and science-ejected, even though UB claims that the university is overall nonsectarian the naturopathy is a health science.

004. "danger Will Robinson, unethical sectarian pseudoscience!"