Humboldt City, Saskatchewan Canada: Mayor Rob Muench Parrots Naturopathy's False “Science-Based” and “Valid” Labels 2019

here, look who doesn't know what they're talking about:

001. at discoverhumboldt.com, “City Declares Naturopathic Medicine Week” [2019 archived], we're told by the good mayor in a document dated 2019:

"from the announcement] Mayor Rob Muench, on behalf of the city of Humboldt, has proclaimed May 13th to 19th as Naturopathic Medicine [Week! someone forgot the word...] naturopathic medicine involves a blend of centuries-old natural, non-toxic therapies with current advances in the study of health and human systems [...] Dr. Laura Stark, president of the Saskatchewan Association of Naturopathic Practitioners, explains that naturopathic doctors are primary care physicians who treat patients with a wide variety of ailments [...] 'our approach is what sets us apart' [...] the holistic approach [...] Dr. Stark outlines the availability in Humboldt, 'Dr. Megan Parker is the resident naturopath in Humboldt. However, we have exciting new additions as of this week. Our most recently licensed practitioner in Saskatchewan is a Humboldt hometown girl returning to practice in Humboldt and area. Dr. Charity Thiessen, soon to be followed by her partner, will make three naturopathic doctors serving the Humboldt area' [...]";

so, a .gov so to speak, claiming naturopathy is a blend.  And ND Stark of SANP, ND Parker and ND Thiessen.

“[from the actual declaration] whereas, May 13-19, 2019 is marked as naturopathic medicine week […] more residents are seeking science-based, valid complementary healthcare […] I Rob Muench Mayor of the City of Humboldt, do hereby proclaim […] naturopathic medicine week […and he mentions] the Saskatchewan Association of Naturopathic Physicians [...]";

ah, ye old 'valid science-based subset naturopathy' claim.   As I've pointed out for years, to be blended is antithetical to the label science-based: an epistemic blend is not an epistemic distinction.  Also, 'politicians do not get to decree science and nonscience, and shouldn't support false claims'.  The presence, simply put, of homeopathy within SANP naturopathy belies this "science-based" label.  This "valid" bullshit labeling...

002. meanwhile, at SANP's sanp.ca, there's:

002.a. a four-page "Guide to Ethical Conduct of Naturopathic Doctors" [really!], which states:

 "Saskatchewan Association of Naturopathic Practitioners Policies and Procedures [...] Guide to the Ethical Conduct of Naturopathic Doctors [...] developed and distributed by the Canadian Naturopathic Association May 1994. Adopted by the SANP April 5, 2009 [...]"; 

so maybe a collective position.

 "principles of naturopathic medicine: the naturopathic doctor will practice the art, science and spirit of the profession to the best of his/her ability and judgment following these principles of naturopathic medicine [...#2] the naturopathic doctor shall recognize, respect and promote the self-healing power of nature inherent in each individual human being (vis medicatrix naturae) [...]"; 

so, EVEN in the SANP / CNA code of ethics, there's science posturing and coded vitalism.  That's crazy: the standards have falsehood and manipulative opacity built into them.  That MO is truly "following the principles of naturopathic medicine." 

"responsibilities to the patient. The naturopathic doctor: 1.will practice in a manner that is above reproach and will take neither physical, emotional nor financial advantage of the patient; 2. shall maintain competence in naturopathic medicine and strive for professional excellence through constant assessment of personal strengths, limitations and effectiveness and by the advancement of professional knowledge [...]"; 

Above reproach, not take financial advantage, while of course grifting.  Competence in naturopathy?  How about competence in falsehoods: that is their reversed 'professional excellence.

 "responsibilities to the profession. The naturopathic doctor: 1.will recognize that the profession demands integrity and dedication from all its members; 2.will strive to participate in professional activities at the national, provincial and local level in order to advance the standards of care, the body of knowledge and the public awareness of naturopathic medicine; 3.will recognize that self-discipline of the profession is a privilege and that each practitioner has a continuing responsibility to merit the retention of that privilege; 4. will behave in a way beyond reproach and will report to the appropriate professional body any conduct of a colleague which might generally be considered unbecoming to the profession. 5.will enter into a contract with an organization only if it will allow maintenance of professional integrity; [...]  7. will recognize a responsibility to give the generally held opinions of the profession when interpreting knowledge of a scientific nature to the public [...]"; 

so, how are false labels 'of integrity'?  As for naturopathic "standards of care", well, basically anything goes.  Such as science subset homeopathy, reiki, and kind.  As regards self-discipline, well, we can see how useful that is.  Reproach?  Unbecoming?  Professional integrity.  Scientifically accurate?  This is hilarious.

"responsibilities to society. The naturopathic doctor: 1. will strive to improve the standards of medical care and promote health and safety for the individual, the public and the global community. 2.will recognize the responsibility as a witness to assist the court in arriving at a just decision [...]"; 

well, naturopathy is not obligated to the medical standard of care.  And just?  Is nonscience posed as science-based just? 

002.b. yet, we have vitalism explicitly stated as "chemical toxicity imprinting the vital force";

003. meanwhile, at ND Stark's practice, a CCNM ND graduate, she has up the page "The Princicples [sic.] of Naturopathic Medicine" [2019 archived] which states:

003.a. naturopathy's principles:

"primum non nocere (first do no harm): the naturopathic doctor uses methods and medicines that minimize the risk of harmful side effects using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat, avoids, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms, and works with the individual's self-healing process, [...]";

coded vitalism.

"vis medicatrix naturae (the healing power of nature): the naturopathic doctor shall recognize, respect and promote the self-healing power of nature inherent in each individual human being. Naturopathic doctors act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery, and to facilitate and increase this inherent and intelligent self-healing process [...]";

again coded vitalism.

"symptoms are viewed as expressions of the body's natural attempt to heal [...] the capacity for optimal wellness or an improved quality of life in inherent in every body [...]";

again coded vitalism.

"docere (doctor as teacher) [...] the goal is to provide an understanding of the factors that affect your health and help you to become more capable of maintaining your own health [...]";

hard to be a good teacher when your premises are false, like science subset nonsense.

003.b. the naturopathy oath:

"the Naturopathic Physician's Oath. I dedicate myself to the service of humanity as a practitioner of the art and science of naturopathic medicine [...]";

here's where I argue a naturopath is by-oath committed to falsely posing the science exterior as science.

"with my whole heart, before these witnesses, as a doctor of naturopathic medicine, I pledge to remain true to this oath [...] I will honor the principles of naturopathic medicine: first, to do no harm; to cooperate with the healing powers of nature [...]";

so, a commitment to vitalism.  And I'd argue a commitment to coded vitalism.  A commitment to opacity and pernicious manipulation.

004. meanwhile, ND Parker, an ND who "requested" NMW in her town 2018
[2019 archived]:

004.a. has an article up in humboldtjournal.ca, "Parker Brings Health and Wellness to the Community" [2019 archived], which states:

"I graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a bachelor of science degree in physiology in 2009 [...] naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care system that combines modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine [...] this includes extensive training in both medical sciences and naturopathic modalities [...]";

so, science.  But combining science with other things doesn't mean what's then there is categorically science, logically speaking.  And it's quite an admission to state that modern sciences are then added to naturopathic medicine in the sense that therein naturopathic medicine is different from science.  Duh.  Quite in contradiction to the Major's "science-based" and "valid" decree. 

"I have received training in a variety of treatment modalities including: clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, lifestyle counseling, homeopathic medicine, Bowen therapy, naturopathic manipulation, hydrotherapy techniques, reiki, exercise therapy, and mesotherapy [...]";

well, merely what I just bolded above [minimally], do not pass muster in terms of what's "science-based."

"the naturopathic doctor aims to stimulate the healing power of the body and to treat the underlying cause of disease [...]";

and ye old coded vitalism.  Quite not the language I pointed out at SANP.

004.b. and generally, in perusing her web pages either at her practice or her column, I haven't found "medicatrix" or any transparent communication of naturopathy's vitalistic core; 

005. meanwhile, ND Charity Thiessen appears to be a 2018 NUNM ND graduate;