The Essential UnderLYING Science-Ejected Vitalism of BINM By Way of BCNA By Way of BINM

here, I reach back into the archive.org repository to cite the 'essentially naturopathic science-ejected' by way of: the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine's [BINM] rather opaque NM description [see 001., below]; the British Columbia Naturopathic Association's [BCNA] rather opposite and opaque NM description [see 002., below]; the BINM's rather tucked-away but transparent NM description [see 003., below]:

001. BINM states in "Naturopathic Medical Training" [vsc 2010-06-21]:

"naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care profession founded in the time honoured belief in 'vis medicatrix naturae', the healing power of nature [VMN-HPN..] the following is a list of treatments commonly provided or prescribed by naturopathic physicians [...] homeopathy [...] Chinese Medicine."

Note: so, we have the claim of profession, and VMN-HPN. Yet the essential context of naturopathy, which these expressions represent, is not transparently communicated. Therefore, I call this opaque because you are not being informed, which is very unprofessional. Let me help. BINM is in British Columbia, so lets see what BCNA says regarding naturopathy and VMN-HPN.

002. BCNA states in "About Naturopathic Medicine -- The Nature of Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2010-06-21]:

"naturopathic medicine is science based natural medicine [...it is built upon upon] a science-based platform [...] the philosophy of naturopathic treatment [...] is threefold. First, vis medicatrix naturae: the body has the inherent capacity to heal in the proper therapeutic environment. NDs believe in the recuperative power of the organism, given the correct climate for healing. Determining the correct individualized therapeutic environment [in this context] is at the core of naturopathic medicine."

Note: so, we're actually told the OPPOSITE of what the essentially naturopathic is. That it is science. And we are not given a transparent definition of VMN-HPN. Very unprofessional and manipulative. As usual. I like this 1999 link for this particular article because it is the oldest so far that I've been able to find. This ruse has been going on for quite some time: eleven years plus.

003. but, back at BINM, you do get that often underlying / coded vitalism context quite transparently communicated in "Natural Selections: Focus on Allergies" (2008-10; vol. 1, iss. 1) [vsc 2010-06-21]:

"we all have an innate ability to heal called the 'vital force'. When this force is weak you are susceptible to disease [...and the sidebar states that the] principles of naturopathic medicine [...include #3] vis medicatrix naturae, the healing power of nature [...] acupuncture stimulates your vital force and promotes drainage [...] homeopathic remedies will desensitize you to your allergen, relieve your symptoms, promote drainage, and stimulate your vital force."

Note: so, there's the full context, assembled piecemeal from various BINM web pages. You often don't get that science-ejected essential naturopathic sectarian premise stated so up-front. It is usually underLYING.

Yet -- absurdly, simultaneously -- BINM states in "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Only Naturopathic Medical School in Western Canada Opens New Campus" [vsc 2010-06-21]:

"naturopathic medicine is a science-based alternative medicine approach to healthcare that combines state- of-the-art scientific research with evidence-based traditional healing systems."

As I often say, "Danger Will Robinson, unethical sectarian pseudoscience."

Naturopathy As Coded Cultic Pseudoscientific 'Thought Reform' - BINM 2010 Homepage:

here, I quote from the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine's [BINM] homepage and its rather peculiar "thought reform" like language:

001. BINM states at their homepage [vsc 2010-05-07]: 

"the naturopathic physician of tomorrow [...] will have a passionate belief in the efficacy of complementary medicine [...and they speak of] ethical ideal [...] to make a difference [...] practicing what we preach [...] a cultural transformation [...] the inherent worth and dignity of our common humanity [...] the natural healing power of the body, mind and spirit [coded vitalism...] to go forward, immersed in science."

Note: let's examine that language.

002. is this the language of "thought reform?"

talk of "tomorrow," "difference" and "cultural transformation" remind me of the language of Scientology and other proselytizing religions.  There is "belief," "preach," "ideal" and "spirit", which further reminds me of the religious / belief systems that PRESSURE. Science is posed as the context.  Now, naturopathy's "healing power" is a coding for their vitalistic science-ejected figment. The supernaturalism is science-exterior as well. So, what I take out of this: some kind of cultic-like / mindframe mission / flavor, a huge lack of transparency concerning the 'essentially naturopathic sectarian,' all falsely posed as science.  Therein, I think this is harmful stuff, though societal concern is equally postured.

Vitalistic Oncology - CTCA's Naturopathic Medicine:

here, I quote from Cancer Treatment Centers Of America's Naturopathic "Bone Cancer" web page [see 001., below]:

001. CTCA states in "Bone Cancer Treatments - Naturopathic Medicine":

"naturopathic medicine centers on using the least invasive, most physiologically supportive methods possible to treat illness and diseases such as bone cancer [...] to assist in maintaining your physical well-being, building strength, and reducing the side effects of conventional bone cancer treatments [...] the naturopathic scope of practice [...is based on] the[se] six naturopathic principles of healing [...] the practice of naturopathic medicine is based on the following principles: [#1] the healing power of nature.  Your body is designed to inherently establish, maintain, and restore health. The healing process is ordered and intelligent; nature heals through the response of the life force. The role of the naturopathic practitioner is to facilitate and augment this process [...] naturopathic practitioners respect and work with the healing power of nature in bone cancer diagnosis, treatment and counseling [...] naturopathic therapies seek to leverage the inherent ability of the body to achieve wellness [...] the practitioner must strive to inspire hope as well as understanding."

002. what's so interesting about all this is that this "life force" premise is hugely science-ejected, a huge fiction & superstition.  Yes, the human body can heal -- but, that's not how.  The same page tells us that homeopathy is powerful.  Enough said.

ND D'Adamo's New Supplement Store - For Premises That Are Not Scientifically Supported:

here, I quote from a recent press release from D'Adamo incorporated, who has opened a retail store based upon his 'theories' [see 001., below]; and, I quote from reputable sources regarding the nonscientific status of those 'diet blood-type / diet genotype' premises and therapeutics [see 002., below]:

001. a press release by D’Adamo Personalized Nutrition states in "D'Adamo Personalized Nutrition Store To Open in Wilton":

"the D’Adamo Personalized Nutrition Store guides the shopper in understanding why blood type matters for health and weight loss [...] Dr. Peter D’Adamo, a second-generation naturopathic physician and international author, whose books have been translated into over 65 languages has written the New York Times best seller, 'Eat Right for Your Type' and the Blood Type Diet [ERFYBT / BTD] series of books. He is also the author of 'The GenoType Diet' [TGTD], the first book that examines the possibilities of epigenetics and the use of diet and nutrition to profoundly alter gene function."

002. what reputable sources say about the ERFYBT / BTD and TGTD:

002.a. the Mayo Clinic states in "Is There Any Merit to the Blood Type Diet?" by Zeratsky, K. (RD ?, LD ?):

"there's no scientific evidence to support the so-called 'blood type diet,' in which different diets are recommended based on a person's blood type. At this time, eating or avoiding certain foods according to your blood type isn't thought to have any favorable influence on weight or overall health. In fact, a 'blood type diet' may not meet your nutritional needs."

002.b. Time Magazine states in "The Genotype Diet":

"naturopathic physician and researcher D'Amamo [sp., D'Adamo] has identified six 'genotypes': the Hunter, the Gatherer, the Teacher, the Explorer, the Warrior, and the Nomad. [Quoting D'Adamo:] 'yes, your genotype is the product of the genes you inherited from your family, but it's also the result of your prenatal experience.' In analyses that sound a bit like horoscopes ('explorers who maintain a detoxifying diet that also nourishes the blood and bone marrow will have few health problems and usually will have very little trouble attaining a healthy weight'), the author gives food dos and don'ts for each genotype. If there's anything scientifically sound about any of this, we haven't seen the signs."

003. caveat emptor!

Naturopathy's Superscience Claim - Wolfe, P. (ND CCNM 1987) BINM 2009:

here, I cite the numbers naturopaths use to imply that they have science-expertise:

Wolfe, P. (ND CCNM 1987) states in "An Eight Year Accredited Medical Degree Program":

"[per] the average number of hours of basic sciences studied by naturopathic (ND), allopathic (conventional MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical students [...] naturopathic [...] 1225 [...] allopathic [...] 1079 [...] osteopathic [...] 976 [...] there is today a considerable and growing body of evidence-based research validating naturopathic methods in peer-reviewed scientific journals [...] Patricia Wolfe, ND. President and Executive Director Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine."

Note: modern medicine is not allopathic, that is a false label. The biggest question I have is how come then, if so science-steeped, NDs still claim that the profoundly nonscientific is in fact science?

Because they're naturopaTHICK.

BINM Naturopathy's Occult Essential Science-ejected Vitalism, & Nonprofessionalism:

here, I decode naturopathy's latinized principles [in part] from the homepage of the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine [BINM], a recently "accredited" Canadian ND-granting school that, par for naturopathy, does not inform us honestly about the central / essential science-ejected, sectarian premise / foundation of naturopathic medicine -- the vitalistic, spiritistic, teleological article of faith known as "the vis", a 'purposeful life spirit bioagency' -- instead such belief kind is falsely postured, par for naturopathy, as scientific fact & misrendered in naturalistic language:

001. BINM states in 'homepage':

"[as part of a jpg] primum non nocere, vis medicatrix naturae [VMN], tolle causam, tolle totum, docere [...] the naturopathic physician will be a leader in a cultural transformation [...] the physician of the future [...] will be a visionary [...adhering to] the belief in the natural healing power [NHP] of the body, mind and spirit [BMS...and will be] immersed in science."

Note: Latin -- per the listed ND principles -- is so sophisticating! And it is a great opportunity to obscure. NDs do this well. The public is told, quite falsely, that naturopathy's "belief" amalgam -- VMN-NHP & BMS -- is all is within "science." Nowhere on this page is VMN actually, explicitly illuminated.

002. lets decode / unobscure that second phrase particularly, VMN, 'from the inside':

002.a. the Textbook of Naturopathic Medicine states, per [pdf version] "The Textbook of Natural Medicine. Chapter 03. A Hierarchy of Healing: The Therapeutic Order, The Unifying Theory of Naturopathic Medicine" (ISBN 0443073007; 2005):

"the uniqueness of naturopathic medicine is the way the naturopath thinks about illness and healing [...this is] based upon the first defining principle: vis medicatrix naturae. It is based on the understanding that disease can be seen as a process, as well as an entity [...] working definition of naturopathic nutrition [...] naturopathic medicine is distinguished by the principles that underlie and determine its practice. These principles include the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae) [...] the vis medicatrix naturae, the vital force, the healing power of nature [VMN=VF=HPN...] the therapeutic order [...directive #2] stimulate the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae): the self-healing processes [...] the underlying recognition of the vis medicatrix naturae, the tendency of the body to be self-healing [...#3] harmonize with your life force [...] many naturopathic modalities can be used to stimulate the overall vital force [...] entire physiologic system [includes] (immune, cardiovascular,detoxification, life force, endocrine, etc.)."

Note: so, VMN = VF = HPN -- an "entity" labeled with the science terms "force" and "power" is responsible for healing.

002.b. the Federation of Naturopathic Physician Licensing Authorities states in "Philosophy" [the 2002 archived page is here]:

"[these ideas are what licensure requires of an ND IN PRACTICE] naturopathic medicine emphasizes 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 [INHP...] six principles of healing form the foundation for naturopathic medical practice: [#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 [LF]. The physician's role is to facilitate and augment this process [...#3] first do no harm. Primum no nocere. Illness is a purposeful [teleological] 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 [THP]. The physician's actions can support or antagonize the actions of the vis medicatrix naturae."

Note: VF = INHP = HPN = VMN = LF = THP.

002.c. BINM in "Natural Selections" (2008-10; vol. 1, iss. 1):

"[per BINM ND student Long, M. (? ?)] we all have an innate ability to heal [IAH],called the 'vital force'. When this force is weak you are susceptible to disease [...& the sidebar states that the] principles of naturopathic medicine [...include #3] vis medicatrix naturae, the healing power of nature."

Note: IAH = VF = VMN = HPN. I think it's safe to assume that Long has been taught this within the last couple years as a student pursuing an ND at BINM. And WOW, calling 'the naturopathic' after the scientific fact of "natural selection" is devious.

003. and lets look at vitalism's nonscientific status via eminent scientist Richard Dawkins in "The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing" (ISBN 0199216800; 2008):

"what neither Mendel nor anyone else before 1953 knew was that genes themselves are digital, within themselves [...] life is the execution of programs written using a small digital alphabet in a single, universal machine language [DNA!; it's not a force or entity!]. This realization was the hammer blow that knocked the last nail in the coffin of vitalism and, by extension, of dualism. The hammer was wielded, with undisguised youthful relish, by James Watson and Francis Crick [p.030...] for me, the greatest achievement of Watson and Crick was to turn genetics from a branch of wet and squishy physiology into a branch of information technology, in the process slaying, as I suggested above, the ghost of vitalism [p.226]."

Note: yet, naturopathy maintains dualism [vitalism, spiritism & kind], per entities that inhabit the physical body -- and claims such articles of faith are "in fact" scientific.

004. the false professional posture of BINM:

004.a. BINM claims, in "BINM Research Department, Research Fellowship, Call for Applicants - February, 2009":

"BINM is committed to educate students in the art and science of naturopathic medicine premised on the ethical foundations of responsibility, integrity, professionalism, respect for persons and benevolence [...] the successful candidate will assist the director of research and work on initiatives aimed to enhance evidence based practice for naturopathic medicine."

Note: me arse! The naturopathic is postured as scientific & caring a frak about evidence & rigor, but the essentially naturopathic is HUGELY actually science-ejected. Naturopathy's incompetence, manipulation, and overall deception therein cannot be claimed to met the ethical standards of the "professional." As the recent paper "How Can Chiropractic Become a Respected Mainstream Profession? The Example of Podiatry":

"one of the problems that we encounter frequently in our interaction with chiropractic educational institutions is the perpetuation of dogma and unfounded claims. Examples include the concept of spinal subluxation as the cause of a variety of internal diseases and the metaphysical, pseudo-religious idea of 'innate intelligence' [a synonym for vital force, in sCAM] flowing through spinal nerves, with spinal subluxations impeding this flow. These concepts are lacking in a scientific foundation and should not be permitted to be taught at our chiropractic institutions as part of the standard curriculum. Much of what is passed off as 'chiropractic philosophy' is simply dogma, or untested (and, in some cases, untestable) theories which have no place in an institution of higher learning [...] the professions, which classically included medicine, law and the ministry, are vocations whose members 'profess' to have knowledge that the laity do not comprehend. Given the asymmetry of knowledge between professionals and the laity, society has granted to the professions a certain degree of autonomous control over themselves [...] this social contract demands that each profession, and each professional, place the well-being of society and the patient, client or parishioner ahead of the profession and professional. Lay persons put their faith in the professional following the dictum credat emptor (let the buyer have faith) rather than caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) [...] when an individual consults a member of any of the medical professions, it is reasonably expected that the advice and treatment that he or she receives is based in science, not metaphysics or pseudoscience [...] patients place their faith in the professional, and trust that they will not be subject to fraud, abuse or quackery. This is the social contract as it applies to chiropractic physicians [as part of 'medical professions'...the naturopathic!!! &] the chiropractic profession[s] has [have] an obligation to actively divorce itself from metaphysical explanations of health and disease as well as to actively regulate itself in refusing to tolerate fraud, abuse and quackery [...] in this way the profession can fulfill its responsibility to the social contract."

Note: ironically, one of the authors is a former University of Bridgeport professor I had, a Connecticut institution which claims that science includes the science-ejected!!!

004.b. yet, BINM states in "2008-2009 Academic Calendar":

"naturopathic medicine is a distinct, primary health care profession [!!!] founded on the time-honored belief in vis medicatrix naturae, 'the healing power of nature' [...] naturopathic physician[s] must [...] be visionaries who know we must return to our roots in nature, to the belief in the natural healing power of the body, mind and spirit [{vitalism, spiritism & kind} p.003...] our mission statement: to provide an outstanding and distinctive education in the art and science of naturopathic medicine [p.004...] our goals: to be faithful [!!!] to the principles of naturopathic medicine and to recognize and validate the contributions of the sciences [...] biomedical science provides a common language for describing the structure and functioning of the human body. The rigor of science has, through inquiry based on the scientific method, produced a valuable representation of occurrences in the body [p.017...] History and Philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine. Several models of health and disease are explored, and the unique philosophy of naturopathic medicine is introduced and traced from its historical origins through modern science-based theory and practice. The vis medicatrix naturae is discussed in depth as the basis for naturopathic concepts of health and disease and principles of practice, and as the unifying principle that distinguishes naturopathic practice from other forms of medicine and underlies naturopathic therapeutic modalities [p.019...] it is recommended that students take the NPLEX part I basic sciences licensing examinations prior to clinic entry but it is not required."

Note: the root "scien" shows up 81 times in this document; "medicatrix" twice; "force" never; "Naturopathic Clinical Arts & Sciences" 25 times; "profession" and kind, 59 times.

Caveat emptor, folks.