The Naturocrit Podcast - Episode 009 Part 2a - Script & Annotations

here, I provide an annotated script for the Naturocrit Podcast's Episode 009 Part 2a, titled “The Connecticut Naturopathic Physicians Association [CNPA] and A Supposed Modernization of Connecticut Naturopathy." In this Part 2a, I continue to build my 'naturopathy preponderance' for the episode by visiting Connecticut's University of Bridgeport, Oregon's '.gov' and NCNM.edu, and then I share material mailed to me recently by Bastyr University: 

001. the Episode 009b1 script and annotations:

Standard Introduction: 

Welcome to, as that robot voice says, The Naturocrit Podcast, and thank you for boldly listening. 

What ARE we even talking about?Well, this podcast series is my take on naturopathic medicine, an area I've been studying for about twenty years, including my time in so-called 'scientific nonsectarian naturopathic medical school'.

My approach is a pairing of scientific skepticism and a deep knowledge of naturopathy's intimate details. 

In previous episodes of this series, I established that naturopathy is, essentially, a kind of knowledge blending, misrepresentation, and irrationality.

I have termed naturopathy both 'an epistemic conflation falsely posing itself as an epistemic delineation' and 'the naturopathillogical':

the science-exterior is mixed with what is scientific, then that whole muddle is absurdly claimed to be science as an entire category, while particular sectarian science-ejected oath-obligations and -requirements are coded or camouflaged, therein effectively disguising naturopathy's system of beliefs in public view.

Naturopathy's ultimate achievement is a profound erosion of scientific integrity and freedom of belief packaged in the marketing veneer "natural" and improperly embedded in the academic category "science".

Episode Synopsis:

In this 2-part Naturocrit Podcast Episode 009, titled “The Connecticut Naturopathic Physicians Association [CNPA] and A Supposed Modernization of Connecticut Naturopathy”, I will look at naturopathy in Connecticut particularly because naturopaths here are quite active this 2015 requesting prescriptive rights.

I say “here” because Connecticut, or shall I say in Federal prosecutor parlance 'Corrupticut', is the State in which I live and here is where I went to naturopathy school for four years.

So let me share with you the virtues of my naturopathic neighbors and their accomplices.

Episode Question:

And my overarching question, as two questions technically, for this Naturocrit Podcast Episode 009 is:

“if naturopathy, at its core, violates preponderant modern values concerning the physician-patient relationship

e.g. transparency and patient empowerment, as opposed to archaic opacity and paternalism,

and violates preponderant modern boundaries as regards science

e.g. that science is a rather specifically defined epistemic delineation, as opposed to an archaic vague epistemic conflation,

CAN this political process that is happening this 2015 in Connecticut accurately be termed modernization? Or is it a kind of corruption?”

Episode 009 Part 2a Main Body:

I've decided, in the process of writing this Episode 009, to publish the second half in two sections.

In this Episode 009 Part 2a, let me finish establishing a preponderance regarding naturopathy's innards.

This will include the web pages of UBCNM, Oregon.gov, and NCNM.

Plus, I'll throw in a little Bastyr University just for fun, as I just got a snail-mail packet from them, and its always fun to see falsehoods carried out, and carried in literally, through the USPS.

Then, in Episode 009's Part 2b, I'll finally get to that ND Liva - ND Gruber video, CNPA web pages, pages of the State of CT, and finally an answer to my Episode Question.

UBCNM's Web Pages:

The Connecticut ND-granting school is the University of Bridgeport's College of Naturopathic Medicine, which I attended for 4 years.

And as was stated by ND Liva on his bio., he sits on the advisory council for this school:

“12-96 to present - Member of the Advisory Council to the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine.”

I was actually in the school's third-ever cohort, fall 1998.

Can one get a clear and informed description of naturopathy from UB, or a coded misrepresentation?

Sadly, the latter, because that's business as usual for naturopathy, particularly at UB:

there is a quite 'in-abundance' science veneer, and there is a 'quite deeply hidden not-science actuality' within, the stuff essential to naturopathy that they don't transparently communicate outright, especially these days in Connecticut.

And I cannot state this any other way:

there is DEFINITE epistemic misrepresentation by bridgeport.edu which is UTTERLY NOT acceptable academically, clinically, and commercially.

And watch out: they're allowed to take your money without punishment and you'll have no recourse.

After all, I left disgusted – as a ripped-off education consumer abused by their agents as I've described in Episode 001 of this podcast series – and, I then tried to sue them, and I was told I had no right to.

Thank you CT judiciary for abridging my civil rights, thanks for your help UB in remedying the situation you and your agents caused.

It's ironic how holistic medicine did not seek to make me whole, and that's when I decided to engage in a 'long war'.

UB's immediate partners and accomplices are the State of CT's Departments of Education and Health.

Naturopathy and the State of CT: what a partnership, what a racket.

The situation, though, I think, is the kind of 'smelly thing' that builds the careers of Federal prosecutors, because like so many other problems in CT, such 'locally immune orchestration' REQUIRES 'out of state intervention'.

Meanwhile, as things compile, and I do believe they are compiling, licensed and fully-accredited falsehood marches on here in CT!

By the way, WHILE I was in school, another partner of UB naturopathy was Yale University, oddly enough, but that tie seems to have been severed for quite some time.

My cohort was required, back around 2000, to take our Public Health course at Yale Medical School in New Haven, which was primarily taught by MD Katz, and assisted by some other Yale MD guy who'd lecture us at UB's Bridgeport campus.

I'll begin with UB's science labels, then look at UB's homeopathy which belies that labeling, then UB's science labeling again because there's just so much, and then UB naturopathy's essential science-exterior premise:

vitalism.

A Broad SCIENCE Label Upon Naturopathy by UB:

There's bridgeport.edu's "Naturopathic Medicine (N.D.)" (2015 archived) page which states:

"the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine is committed to training physicians for the 21st century […] our curriculum combines traditional biomedical sciences with the latest developments in genomics and molecular biology to deepen your understanding of health, disease, and therapeutics [...become] the 21st century physician [...] come to UB and discover the 21st century physician you will become […this] leading edge of medicine [these] evidence-based natural therapies […which are] sustainable, cost-effective, and effective [...which are] revolutionizing healthcare in the Northeast and across the country [...UB's naturopathy is of a] Division of Health Sciences […you can contact] Health Sciences Admissions [...graduating students ] since 2001.”

If I had guzzled down UB's cool-aid, and not merely sipped, my graduating year would have been 2002.

So, UB's language is very SCIENCEY by way of categorically labeling naturopathy “science” as in within a “division of health sciences”, and by way of such ornamentation as:

“21st century”, “latest developments”, “genomics and molecular biology”, “evidence-based”, and “deepening your understanding.”

And I have come to understand naturopathy QUITE deeply.

Plus, one cannot forget, UB's claim of “effective” along with “sustainable [and] cost-effective.”

I'll link to an Naturocrit Appendix page which contains many more examples of this science labeling by UB, which I've collected over the years [here].

Promises, promises!

You wouldn't think, then, reasonably speaking, that the contents of naturopathy at UB would be science-exterior, archaic, and ineffective because most people think Universities are upstanding places full of upstanding people.

You wouldn't expect false promises.

So, you're expecting UB to tell the truth and to be accurate – as they are fully-accredited, in many ways, and a UNIVERSITY in this here year 2015 -- and to do the right thing.

But you're asking TOO MUCH.

I still remember the expressions on the faces of UB's lawyers when I met them for a deposition when I tried to sue them: NOT AN OUNCE OF SYMPATHY.

So, if you are asking for a level playing field, rigor, due diligence, some form of fiduciary commitment to an education consumer, well, I find your idealism refreshingly quaint.

If only.

We're told on that page too that naturopathy is simultaneously "steeped in traditional healing practices."

So, science subset 'traditional stuff.'

Take for instance, bridgeport.edu's HOMEOPATHY which is the COMPLETE OPPOSITE of science, cutting-edge / futuristic, “effective”, a level playing field, rigor, and due diligence, and a fiduciary commitment because it is a form of deception.

We KNOW homeopathy is science-ejected, archaic, legacy, and ineffective: that coffin has been shut-up by at least a couple circuits of nailings.

We know homeopathy relies on patient DECEPTION and sectarian mental LAZINESS, in, to quote from my deposition with UB so long ago, a “cultic mystical weirdness” kind of way.

And so here I go, EASILY shattering UB's so carefully constructed deceptive manipulation: philosophizing with a hammer, guerrilla-style!

Because there ain't no science subset homeopathy, just as there ain't no science subset mesmerism or science subset phlogiston.

I must add that homeopathy is not the ONLY thing that could be used at UB to show that UB naturopathy's labels are bullshit.

And I feel a little guilty because the fruit is so low-hanging, until I remember my experiences at UB and with UB's agents, and how much I, truly it turns out, HATE homeopathy.

I do, because of what it stands for.

I particularly can't stand its DECEPTION.

Yet, in bridgeport.edu's "General Info" a 2002 page I have archived, from my time there, we're told by bridgeport.edu:

"the College seeks to teach and search for new knowledge, to educate men and women of personal integrity and social conscience."

Values sound REVERSED, don't they?

Because shouldn't one be troubled by an institution that visits pseudoscience galore onto society?

Shouldn't one PROTECT one's “personal integrity” by REFUSING homeopathy!

Yes, where I come from that's what someone does.

And I remember all those ND dimwits I met at UB who embraced homeopathy fervently, along with applied kinesiology, whom I considered to lack both personal and professional integrity, and social conscience.

Dimwits galore!

Or, perhaps, sociopaths???

But such a pronouncement is outside of my expertise.

Homeopathy pages at UB:

A search by way of Google.com, >site:bridgeport.edu homeopathy<, yields PILES of ammunition for my 'Naturocrit guerrilla skeptical musings'.

This ends up being why I split this Episode 009 Part 2 into 2 parts.

There are four whole search result pages, actually, from bridgeport.edu through that search filter.

So much homeopathy in a place that claims categorically science, doctoral-level science!

There's so much homeopathy that I've put up a page at Naturocrit recently which I've titled “UB Homeopathy Round-Up Absurdity.”

Here, I'll only take out from that post four UB homeopathy pages:

001. There's UB's "Graduate Courses of Instruction 2014-2016" (2015archived) which states:

"[with 13 instances of the root or stem homeop] Clinical Nutrition II: Treatment and Management […] treatment protocols for each condition using nutritional supplements, herbs, diet and homeopathic medicines […] Naturopathic Principles and Practice 511 History of Naturopathic Medicine: this course will examine […] naturopathic medicine and its eclectic blend of healing arts and fundamental roots [...including] homeopathy, energy medicine, and ancient healing systems from around the globe […] Homeopathic Medicine 621 Homeopathy I: this course lays the foundation of the basic laws and principles of homeopathy upon which future courses will build. The principles as set forth by Hahnemann in his Organon are the bases of the course. The student will also become thoroughly acquainted with the use of Kent’s repertory [...] Homeopathic Medicine 711 Homeopathy II: this course will continue the examination of homeopathy, with emphasis on the concept of acute prescribing, case taking, and analysis. Students will continue their discussion and understanding of the drug pictures of the remedies for acute complaints commonly seen in a general or family practice […] Homeopathic Medicine 721 Homeopathy III: students will continue their study of the hierarchy of symptoms as they are expressed in the repertory and will begin to recognize the keynote symptoms of polycrest remedies and be able to distinguish among them. Computer repertorization is used throughout to illustrate the relative values of possible rubrics to include in a given case [...] Homeopathic Medicine 821 Homeopathy IV: this course focuses on case taking and analysis in chronic case management. The patient’s level of health and inherited patterns of disease are taken into consideration. Re-analysis of cases for the second prescription is covered. The student’s knowledge of materia medica is reinforced through remedy comparisons in the process of remedy selection."

That is UB's catalog.

So there it is:

academically claimed 'scientific homeopathy', by way of 'division of health sciences subset naturopathy subset homeopathy.'

That is absurd.

002. There's the page "Eleonore Herschberger" (2015 archived).

She was the ND clinic director during my time at UB, which states:

"Senior Lecturer, College of Naturopathic Medicine [...an ND graduate of] National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Portland, OR […] Dr. Herschberger has been a member of the Faculty at UBCNM since 1999 […she] served as Clinic Director from 2000 to 2002, and as Associate Dean of Academics from 2002 to 2008. She has taught Homeopathy since 2001, and is currently teaching Homeopathy and Oriental Medicine in the classroom and supervising homeopathy shifts at UB Clinics [...] her primary interest and area of expertise has been homeopathy for the past 20 years."

A homeopathy diva, from NCNM, how useful!

There's also the page "Dr. Eleonore Herschberger Book Corner" at bridgeport.edu [vsc 2015-03-26] (2015 archived) which recommends:

"'Homeopathic Medicine at Home' by [authors] Panos and Heimlich.”

The book is ISBN 0874771951 and it was published in 1980.

ND Herschberger writes about the book:

“this was one of the first books on homeopathy I ever bought. It inspired me to pursue further studies in homeopathy, which led me to find out about naturopathic medicine, the only doctorate-level medical training in the country that included classical homeopathy in its core curriculum. That was a very important consideration when I was searching for a training program.”

This book, which I have and I have completely OCR'd, has some interesting content.

This ND Herschberger highly-recommended content.

Let me temporarily become a homeopathy scholar.

And remember, this is being recommended by a former Clinic Director and Associate Dean of Academics University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine, wherein homeopathy is falsely termed “science”, who is a graduate from NCNM wherein homeopathy and kind is falsely termed 'able to survive rigorous scientific scrutiny.'

In other words, this places us straight on Main Street in naturopathyland.

In the book, the root or stem "naturop" occurs 13 times at least, such as:

"sometimes people confuse homeopathy with naturopathy or herbalism because of their apparent similarities […] homeopathy and naturopathy: both the naturopath and the homeopath believe in the healing power of nature, Hippocrates' vis medicatrix naturae, or vital force.”

So, there you go: HPN is VMN which is vital force.

About that vital force, we're told by the homeopathy book's authors:

“the homeopath believes that the body is always striving to keep itself healthy […] the force that acts in this protective manner is called the vital force […] the concept of the vital force, an age-old belief in the body's guiding intelligence […] the vital force, or defense mechanism […] the defense mechanism or vital force […] our belief that the disease process first affects the vital force, or defense mechanism […] the well-chosen homeopathic remedy stimulates the body's defense mechanism, or vital force […] a well-selected homeopathic remedy will stimulate your defense mechanism to fight the infection […] a skin ailment often is a sign that the body's defense mechanism is working […] although a homeopathic remedy has no side effects, each dose is a signal to the defense mechanism.”

So, there's another alternate, VF = defense mechanism, because homeopathy like naturopathy is full of euphemisms.

And there are at least 31 instances of the root or stem "scien", such as:

"homeopathic medicine [...] this scientific system of medicine [...] you now have access to a scientific system of medicine [...] the homeopathic physician studies all these symptoms, then searches for a remedy that, under scientifically controlled conditions, has produced all these symptoms in a healthy person […] homeopathy alone is a science that operates systematically [...] homeopathy is scientific medicine; its rules were developed by following the procedures of the scientific method.”

And that's a VERY strong science claim, obviously, which parallels UB's and NCNM's false labeling of homeopathy as within “science.”

And of course there's the claim of efficacy.

In the book, the root or stem "effecti" is there at least 30 times.

There's:

“in general, internal remedies seem to be more effective than external […] it is such a satisfaction to treat patients with safe and effective remedies.”

There's such dangerous nonsense as:

“a group of remedies in your Home Remedy Kit can provide safe, effective means to counteract the effects of many poisons […] this remedy has proved effective in blood poisoning and infection.”

There's:

“we have a choice of safe and effective remedies for the vast number of people who get colds.”

There's:

“Arsenicum is made from deadly poison, arsenic, which, in its homeopathically potentized state, is an effective and safe remedy.”

And, of course, leaving the best and most false for last, the authors tell us:

“you now have access to a scientific system of medicine that is proven safe and effective.”

Not.

Not in so many ways.

Now, sugar pills are not obviously 'in themselves' unsafe, but they are obviously too NOT EFFECTIVE.

003. There's was the ND Brady-authored NDNR article from June 2012 “A Message From the President: News From the College of Naturopathic Medicine” that was live at repository.bridgeport.edu until it wasn't.

I'd video-screen-captured it [vsc 2015-03-20], and I always make sure such contains the URL, and it is down now.

I also have it in paper, and this article by ND Brady states:

“the clinical program of study at the UBCNM […is] grounded in naturopathic philosophy [...] the clinical experience includes specialty teaching shifts in the following areas [...including] homeopathy […] the pediatric and autism clinic thoroughly analyzes each child, providing nutritional analysis and physical examinations, while educating parents about the proper use of herbs, vitamins, homeopathic remedies, and healthy diet and lifestyle changes.”

Grounded in WHAT?

Naturopathic philosophy: grounded in the science-exterior, to put it simply, and yet still called science.

And how do you use homeopathy properly?

You sweeten your coffee with the lactose pellets, IMHO.

But that's a rather needlessly expensive way to sweeten your coffee.

004. And finally there's "UB Clinics Dispensary" (2015 archived) which states:

"[our] Health Sciences Programs [...] UB's health sciences programs include […] the College of Naturopathic Medicine [...] the UB Clinics Dispensary Center provides the community with an over-the-counter dispensary [...which includes] homeopathic remedies."

So, it's safe to say UB claims, broadly, science subset naturopathy's homeopathy.

They might was well put a billboard up on I-95:

empty sugar pills that have no efficacy beyond placebo and kind, here falsely labeled as effective and science-supported.

Homeopathy and Applied Kinesiology at UB:

What a gift!

Why do ONE bogus thing when you can do TWO together!

Actually: start with bogus ideas that don't distinguish knowledge in terms of its category and quality, and you have the odd muddle of 'high quality crap' happening that is the 'naturopathillogical.'

Naturopathy's wine plus mud equals wine absurdity!

Just as I'd not heard of ND Gruber until I did Part 1 of this Episode 009, I'd not thought that applied kinesiology would present so prominently at UB TODAY.

First, there's the UB publication "Life at UB" of Spring 2014 (2015 archived) which tells us:

"naturopathic practice can include the following diagnostic and therapeutic modalities [...including] homeopathy [of course…] the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors explains the origin of naturopathy […] naturopathic medicine was first brought to North America by Dr. Benedict Lust. Dr. Lust used the term 'naturopathy' to describe a clinical practice that integrated such natural healing methods as […] homeopathy [of course…] manipulative therapy [...and] acupuncture […UB's] program has a variety of skilled professors [...there's] Dr. McPherson and Dr. Hershberger, who specialize in homeopathy […and there's] Dr. DeMarco, who is a chiropractor, [a] certified kinesiologist, and [..she] teaches naturopathic manipulation."

What does it mean to be a “kinesiologist”?

Well, this is not the kinesiology of exercise science.

I have a degree that includes that area.

And let me fork-off of this DC DeMarco stuff for a moment and recall one of my most favorite UB memories.

There's the 'DC Perle versus DC Ferraro thing', both of whom were my instructors for different courses.

Perle taught the ND and DC students of my time statistics.

DC Ferraro was our manipulation teacher.

Ferraro had mandated an applied kinesiology textbook for the manipulation courses we had to take, and Perle had published “Technique System Overview: Applied Kinesiology [...in] 1995.”

And I want to thank Dr. Perle for recently sending me a copy of that article.

In that paper Perle pointed out that a major review of AK studies found that:

“none of the [AK supportive] studies fulfilled the authors' minimum criterion for valid research.”

How surprising!

This is a true scenario:

while us ND students went to Ferraro's office to pick up the AK book, Perle, whose office was right next door, was handing us out fliers on how bogus AK is.

Really.

Priceless.

And Dr. Perle pointed me to a recent 2007 review of AK in Chiropractic and Manual Therapies, which concluded, similarly:

“when manual muscle testing [MMT] as used in applied kinesiology is disentangled from standard orthopedic/neurological muscle testing, the few studies evaluating specific AK procedures either refute or cannot support the validity of AK procedures as diagnostic tests. In particular, the use of MMT for the diagnosis of organic disease or putative pre / subclinical conditions is insupportable.”

Anyway, DC DeMarco's UB biography at "Kristine DeMarco Adjunct Faculty College of Chiropractic" (2015 archived) tells us:

"Dr. DeMarco is certified in [...] applied kinesiology."

Oh, AK as opposed to kinesiology proper.

Not calling it AK but instead just calling it kinesiology, I guess, sets the hook.

The same AK that was in MY manipulation classes when I was at UB, which I decided to AVOID as I had decided to avoid homeopathy classes, FOR PERSONAL ETHICAL REASONS.

At Dr. Demarco's homepage, at her practice, demarcochiropractic.com, we're told:

"applied kinesiology: kinesiology is a holistic system of natural health care which uses muscle monitoring to communicate directly with the body. It can assess a person's response to any stimulus. It draws on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine and can evaluate body function through the muscle-meridian relationship. It can also establish connections between imbalances, put them in order of priority and determine the most effective treatment. Kinesiology applies a wide range of gentle yet powerful techniques. These restore balance and create and sustain health, well-being and more effective functioning. Kinesiology also draws on and integrates other therapies and healing modalities and can be used as an adjunct to any therapy. Kinesiology is renowned for being able to uncover and help the underlying causes of health problems that are difficult to find by any other means."

DC DeMarco actually has a whole page called "Kinesiology" (2015 archived) which states:

"Dr. DeMarco: 'as the owner and founder of the Black Rock Holistic Health Center, my goal and mission is to integrate the treatment of chiropractic, acupuncture, nutrition, physical therapy, and homeopathy in order to provide the patient with the highest degree of success in treating their acute and chronic pain' […] the principal tool of kinesiology is muscle monitoring. The kinesiologist applies pressure to a contracted muscle and the client is asked to match or resist that pressure. The kinesiologist evaluates the functioning of the muscle in response to a specific stimulus. The response of the muscle, whether it is able to remain in contraction or unlocks, gives the kinesiologist feedback. This feedback is used to determine what the priority stresses are and the best way to address them […] even healthy people will benefit from regular kinesiology treatments. Babies and people who cannot be muscle tested directly can be tested through a surrogate.”

And I JUST LOVE that: surrogate pseudo-diagnostics.

Also, we're told on that page:

“kinesiology restores the whole system to balance, facilitating the self-healing process. It can, for example: increase energy and vitality, prevent illness, improve posture, relieve physical pain and tension, defuse stress and the causes of stress, heal traumas, enhance brain function and co-ordination, discover individual nutritional needs, identify food and environmental sensitivities, find and clear underlying causes of energy blocks / imbalances / diseases […] you may be advised to make dietary or lifestyle changes, [be] given exercises, or [be] prescribed flower essences or supplements as a home reinforcement of your session.”

And DC DeMarco practices with, it turns out, ND Herschberger, and their homeopathy page "Dr. Eleonore Hershberger, ND Naturopathic Physician” (2015 archived) at demarcochiropractice.com/homeopathy.htm, states:

“Dr. Herschberger received her doctorate in naturopathic medicine from National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, OR, in 1994 […] Dr. Herschberger was on staff at the Akron Center for Homeopathy [...] working with children and adults of all ages, using homeopathy exclusively. The treatment of acute and chronic disease by Classical Homeopathy is her area of specialization […] Dr. Herschberger is currently in private practice at the Black Rock Holistic Health Center and is an Associate Dean for the College of Naturopathic Medicine at the University of Bridgeport […] homeopathic remedies are capable of stimulating the body to begin healing itself from the inside out. It is a system which addresses illness at its root cause rather than suppressing symptoms. By addressing the cause of illness […] some conditions which have been successfully treated with homeopathy: allergies, sinusitis, arthritis [...] autoimmune disorders, headaches, migraines, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart conditions, colitis, asthma, constipation, chronic ear infections, eczema, infectious diseases, acute and chronic effects of injuries, menopausal and menstrual symptoms, chronic fatigue, ADD and many other conditions which are not easily classified or diagnosed.”

So we have AK and homeopathy as quite the panaceas.

DC DeMarco's biography at her practice (2015 archived) states:

“Dr. DeMarco hold certificates in the following fields: Applied Kinesiologist International College of Applied Kinesiology Shawnee Mission, KS […] Craniosacral Therapist John Upledger Institute, Florida […] in 2001, Dr. DeMarco became a member of the Adjunct Faculty, Clinical Sciences at the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine.”

There's that SCIENCE label again.

But this is what science says about AK.

The American Cancer Society states:

“applied kinesiology is different from kinesiology, a field of scientific study of the movements of the human body […] the information below refers only to applied kinesiology as a complementary practice and not to the science of human movement […] available scientific evidence does not support the claim that applied kinesiology can diagnose or treat cancer or other illness […] a review of more than 50 research papers published by the International College of Applied Kinesiology found that the studies did not meet basic standards for scientific research […] applied kinesiology [...is] not an accurate diagnostic tool [...] muscle response was not any more useful than random guessing.”

And regarding craniosacral therapy, the Wikipedia article states:

"the evidence base for CST is sparse and lacks a demonstrated biologically plausible mechanism. In the absence of rigorous, well-designed randomized controlled trials, it has been characterized as pseudoscience, and its practice called quackery.”

So, Back to SCIENCE as a UB Label [after having talked about all this nonscience nonsense that they are doing]:

It's INTERESTING that UB's division of health sciences – which is a blend of science and nonscience, obviously, improperly all termed science academically, clinically and commercially – can have its contents divided into science and nonscience.

In other words, the muddle can have distinctions happen, if you start looking at it analytically.

Again I must mention, this is at least the claim “science subset naturopathy subset homeopathy and kind” – AK and CST being one of those kinds – from UB a multiply regionally accredited “University.”

Obviously, homeopathy and AK are patent nonscience.

Well, from from that already mentioned bridgeport.edu page "Naturopathic Medicine (N.D.)" you can download UB's "Viewbook" (2015 archived).

Its cover states "Division of Health Sciences Graduate Programs."

What another gift.

The root "scien" is in there at least 67 times.

And the root or stem "naturop" 42.

And "homeop" at least 2.

What does it say about naturopathy?

Well, obviously with homeopathy in there inside of naturopathy then called science, well, what it says isn't categorically accurate.

We're told in that Viewbook:

“University of Bridgeport Division of Health Sciences Joint Degree Programs […] Naturopathic Medicine (ND) / Acupuncture (MS): students follow a four and a half year plan designed to keep all coursework in proper sequence and to ensure successful progression through both programs.”

How did acupuncture, with its imaginary meridians and imaginary chi / qi, manage to get itself called science?

Another trick, evidence of more trickery.

The UB page “UB Health Sciences Center News [...] Summer In Traditional Chinese Medicine” (2015 archived), by the way, states

“during the summer months, life is at its most expansive. The sun is at its highest, food is abundant, and all plant life is full of vital life force.”

How again, I must ask, is something BASED on science-exterior premises therein SCIENCE categorically?

It must be MAGIC: the magic of just writing it, as if it is true, upon a piece of paper, or within an internet document, and drinking the cool-aid.

As opposed to the scientific METHOD which is what actually makes something science or not, which is perpetually self-testing and self-correcting.

The Viewbook goes on:

“Health Sciences Center […] the teaching clinics, known as the UB Clinics, in UB’s Health Sciences Center [..there's] acupuncture, chiropractic, and naturopathic [...] a combination of conventional, alternative, and complementary therapies […] Acupuncture Institute Master of Science in Acupuncture www.ubhealth.org/acupuncture […] UB’s program blends coursework in traditional acupuncture and Eastern medical theory with Western biomedical sciences […the] integration of Western medical sciences within the paradigm of traditional Asian medicine […] College of Naturopathic Medicine Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.D.) […] the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine was founded in 1997 and is the only accredited naturopathic medical program on the East Coast. Housed within the Division of Health Sciences […] naturopathic medical students follow a structured curriculum that builds on the biomedical and clinical sciences, emphasizing naturopathic philosophy and natural therapeutics […] applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may be considered for admission on an individual basis with special attention given to recent performance in science-based prerequisite courses […] all science courses must be suitable for students majoring in sciences […] Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo, Distinguished Professor of Clinical Sciences [not…] financial aid: a variety of financial aid opportunities and scholarships are available to students in the Health Sciences programs […] a vital part of our campus is the Health Sciences Center, which houses the UB Clinics where our health sciences degree candidates work side-by-side with clinicians […] the University of Bridgeport offers more than 125 majors, graduate and doctoral programs. In addition to our six health sciences schools.”

Science, science, science.

Subset NOT SCIENCE, by their own admission: as “blended”.

The science that ain't science ONLY, the epistemic delineation that isn't so.

Now, the Viewbook speaks of “College of Naturopathic Medicine, the Healing Power of Nature.”

What COULD they be talking about?

UB's Explicit and Coded Vitalism:

So, HPN is naturopathy's essential premise.

We had inklings of that in the homeopathy book that ND Herschberger recommended as vital force.

The Google.com search >site:bridgeport.edu "healing power of"< gets you to UB's 2014-2016 “Schools and Professional Programs” catalog [2010-2012 Catalog] which states in the “College of Naturopathic Medicine” section:

“Naturopathic Principles and Practice: the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians has adopted the following official definition of naturopathic medicine, its principles and practice:naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary healthcare […] naturopathic medicine is distinguished by the principles upon which its practice is based. The principles are continually reexamined in the light of scientific advances […] the following principles are the foundation of naturopathic medical practice: [#1] the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae): naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent self-healing process in the person which is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery, and to facilitate and augment this inherent self-healing process […] acknowledge, respect and work with the individual’s self-healing process […] since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development.”

So, claimed as able to survive scientific scrutiny are the terms: HPN-VMN-ISHP and the “spiritual” which is the supernatural.

Supernaturalism is not supportable by science, and to claim that total health must include spiritual health is a kind of belief system, what I'd call a sectarian principle, of aUniversity that claims to be nonsectarian, ironically or SADLY or DECEPTIVELY.

That first principle, HPN-VMN-ISHP as written by UB there, sounds rather mundane until you contextualize it properly, until you find out what it means.

It is coded vitalism in an area that claims to be 'distinct and distinguished'.

Let's cut to the chase.

The Google.com search >site:bridgeport.edu vital force< is a little more rewarding.

You get the school's catalog “Graduate Courses of Instruction” [2014-2016] [2012-2014].

I'll pull from the 2014-2016 version.

Now, I'll ask before I do this:

is is proper for nonscience to be falsely labeled science at the graduate level especially when in the K-12 realm the NGSS emphasizes that the idea “vital force” is an epitome of a science-ejected concept!!!

And let me be a little more precise with naturopathy, is it proper to do this at the DOCTORATE-LEVEL?

At the DOCTORATE-LEVEL ISYN.

The UB catalog states:

“Principles And Practice 512 Philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine I: this course will explore the philosophical foundations of naturopathic medicine, which form the basis for therapeutic intervention [...which is ] vitalistic medicine in the United States of America as an influence on the creation ofthe naturopathic profession will be discussed […] Principles And Practice 722 Philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine II: nature acts powerfully through healing mechanisms in the body and mind [...] students will gain an important perspective of the vital force and its role in the healing process, when used in conjunction with naturopathic principles.”

Now, let me go to a page I published in 2008 which is made from 1998 ND Sensenig handouts from my first semester course at UB.

In “UB Naturopathy's Science-Ejected Vitalism, Autoentheism & Such Woo” I write:

“"[from the syllabus] course objectives: be able to explain the fundamental philosophical precepts of natural healing, including [...] vital force [...] texts [...] required: Lindlahr, Henry. Philosophy of Natural Therapeutics […] Kent, James Tyler. Lectures on Homeopathic Philosophy [...] vis medicatrix naturae: the healing power of nature, vital force [...] vital force around the world [...] vital force = energy essential for life [...aka] vital force, innate, life principle, prana, bioplasmic energy, the god power within you."

The claim is science subset health science subset naturopathy subset vital force or god power within you.

This is what I was told as an ND student in my first semester by ND Sensenig, the instructor and the first President of the AANP and the first Dean of UBCNM.

A patently FALSE claim: supposed science-based articles of faith, the science-exterior falsely labeled science.

This is why I state that naturopathy also harms freedom of belief, by blending science-exterior belief with what science legitimately supports.

Let's back up that 'UB vitalism basis falsely labeled science' with:

Oregon.gov and NCNM:

The motto of both CNPA and Bastyr University is “vis medicatrix naturae.”

At Oregon.gov, on the page "Board of Naturopathic Medicine: About Naturopathy", we're told:

"naturopathic medicine is a distinctively natural approach to health and healing that recognizes the integrity of the whole person. Naturopathic Medicine is heir to the vitalistic tradition of medicine in the Western world, emphasizing the treatment of disease through the stimulation, enhancement, and support of the inherent healing capacity of the person. Methods of treatments are chosen to work with the patient’s vital force, respecting the intelligence of the natural healing process. The practice of Naturopathic Medicine emerges from six underlying principles of healing. These principles are based on the objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually reexamined in light of scientific analysis. It is these principles that distinguish the profession from other medical approaches: [#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, to act to identify and remove obstacles to health and recovery, and to support the creation of a healthy internal and external environment [...#2] first, do no harm, primum no nocere: 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. Therapeutic actions should be complimentary to and synergistic with this healing process. The Physician’s actions can support or antagonize the actions of the vis medicatrix naturae. Therefore, methods designed to suppress symptoms without removing underlying causes are considered harmful and are avoided or minimized [...and we're told] homeopathic Medicine This powerful system of medicine is more than 200 years old. Homeopathic medicines act to strengthen the body’s innate healing response [...] it works on a subtle yet powerful electromagnetic level, gently acting to strengthen the body’s healing and immune response."

So there, at the highest level of institutionalization, in the United States, in my opinion, '.gov', is the claim, the false claim, that these sectarian ideas, that a vital force, that homeopathy, survive scientific scrutiny.

What abject nonsense.

What a coup.

And I think that also explains, explicitly, CNPA's motto which, again, I had to go outside of CT to get a definition for because CNPA refuses to tell us because obviously we don't deserve to know so we can then decide in an informed manner.

At NCNM, the alma mater of ND Liva and ND Herschberger – and ND Sensenig by the way -- and the trunk of the U.S. naturopathy educational tree, the same state as oregon.gov, on the page “About Naturopathic Medicine” 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: [#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 [...#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. Therapeutic actions should be complementary to and synergistic with this healing process. The physician’s actions can support or antagonize the actions of vis medicatrix naturae."

So there you go: 

science subset vitalism as life force and vital force, aka HPN or VMN.

And a little teleology, in terms of intelligence and purposefulness, thrown in too.

It's actually amazing how in lock-step the oregon.gov page is with the ncnm.edu page.

And both, plus such places as UB, are falsely claiming that the naturopathic principles survive scientific scrutiny.

And again it's amazing how NOT informing, IN CONNECTICUT, both the CNPA and UB are regarding what VMN and HPN are in comparison to what science supports, in comparison to what is a sectarian belief set.

Bastyr's mailing:

Now this is fun, to get something physical by snail-mail, especially something naturopathic.

Upon request, the Bastyr University office of admissions sent me a large envelope signed by Beth Akins, “Admissions Operation Manager.”

The postmark is 2015-02-25 by way of USPS First Class.

I've gotten stuff like this since the mid-1990s from Bastyr and the other ND schools, and I've saved all of it.

Inside was an in-color, heavy-stock, small catalog titled “Graduate Programs.”

And on the catalog's cover is Bastyr's logo, VMN.

We're told:

“nature is a powerful healer […] respecting the healing power of nature and recognizing that body, mind and spirit are intrinsically inseparable [which is quite a sectarian constellation…] cultivating the healing power of nature.”

There is no medicatrix other than in the logo.

And the root “scien” is in there at least 44 times.

With such TYPICAL Bastyr jewels as:

“Bastyr university's naturopathic medicine program is internationally renowned for its rigorous science-based natural medicine curriculum [...yet] integrating the study of science and nature […] blending centuries-old knowledge of natural therapies with current advances in the biomedical sciences, NDs […] the doctoral program integrates both scientific and holistic viewpoints […] integrating ancient and modern knowledge […] we model an integrated approach to education, research and clinical service.”

So it's all blended, and called science, which is not a blend, which is an epistemic delineation.

And we're told:

“NDs rely on a broad spectrum of modalities, including [...] homeopathy.”

Very interesting: different KINDS of knowledge, blended or “integrated” and then improperly called “science-based”as in ONE KIND of knowledge.

That is, minimally, a corruption of epistemic boundaries, all across the naturopathic countryside.

And Bastyr gives us no explanation in the catalog of VMN and warning of its inherently science-exterior nature, wink-wink.

Yet it's obvious what it, VMN, is if you go to NCNM and Oregon.gov.

And you can get that VMN is vitalism equation by way of bastyr.edu too.

It requires some digital forensics though.

For instance there's Bastyr's "'We Are All in this Together' - A Student Reports from Revival" (2013) (2014archived), which states, sounding much like a religious pilgrimage:

"I drove into the Cascade foothills to the house of Drs. Pamela and Bruce, our gracious hosts for the weekend of 'restoring the vis.' The vis, or the vis medicatrix naturae, is the healing power of nature, the core philosophy of naturopathic medicine. This trip was a chance to reconnect with that awesome power [...] our vis is our vital force. It is the energy we all possess that connects us all. It is our spirit, our empathy, our love, our passion, our joy."

They SHOULD say: it is our sectarian belief that we falsely claim survives scientific scrutiny, because we are epistemically blended in the most path-illogical of manners, aka the naturopathillogical.

I will continue with the details of this fiasco in Episode 009's Part 2b.