Alternative Medicine Education

{{altmed}}
List of [[alternative medicine]] "credentials".

==Doctor of Naturopathy==
{{main|Naturopathy}}
'''Doctor of Naturopathy''' (usually abbreviated '''ND''' for "Not a Doctor", or less frequently '''NMD''' for "Not a Medical Doctor") is a title claimed by many practitioners of [[woo]]. 

As awful as the idea is, there are actually 7 [[Academic accreditation|accredited]] institutions in North America that award this degree (as of 2012), 5 in the [[United States]] ([[Bastyr University]], National College of Natural Medicine, National University of Health Sciences, [[Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine]] and University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine) and 2 in [[Canada]] (Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, and Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170420041851/http://www.gutenberg.us/articles/list_of_accredited_schools_of_naturopathic_medicine_in_north_america List of accredited schools of naturopathic medicine in North America]</ref> For those who want a shorter route, it is also widely available from [[diploma mill]]s.

Holders of this degree are likely to make obsessive use of the title "Dr." though they are not, in many jurisdictions, entitled to use this title.

These are not the doctors who don't tell you [[What Doctors Don't Tell You]].

As of 2021, naturopathic physicians were regulated in several [[US]] jurisdictions: [[Alaska]], [[Arizona]], [[California]], [[Colorado]], [[Connecticut]], [[District of Columbia]], [[Hawaii]], [[Kansas]], [[Maine]], [[Maryland]], [[Massachusetts]], [[Minnesota]], [[Montana]], [[New Hampshire]], [[North Dakota]], [[Oregon]], [[Pennsylvania]], Puerto Rico, [[Utah]], [[Vermont]], Virgin Islands, [[Washington]].<ref name="naturopathic">[https://archive.ph/Vkk3V Regulated States & Regulatory Authorities]. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Archived from [https://naturopathic.org/page/RegulatedStates the original].</ref> Legislation is pending in several other jurisdictions.<ref name="naturopathic" /> The practice of naturopathy is specifically banned in [[Tennessee]] and [[South Carolina]].<ref name="naturopathybanned">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160629235905/http://www.legis.state.ak.us/BASIS/get_documents.asp?session=26&docid=5692 AMA Scope of Practice Data Series: Naturopaths].  American Medical Association. Archived from [http://www.legis.state.ak.us/BASIS/get_documents.asp?session=26&docid=5692 the original].</ref>

==Doctor of Chiropractic==
{{main|Chiropractic}}
The credential Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) is for those who practice chiropractic medicine. Training includes four years of schooling and a residency in a chiropractic field. These residencies include [[Functional neurology|Chiropractic neurology]], primary care, and [[Nutritionist|nutrition]].<ref>[https://www.nuhs.edu/academics/college-of-professional-studies/chiropractic-medicine/ Doctor of Chiropractic, National University of Health Sciences].</ref> There are dangers of going to a chiropractor. Chiropractic is regulated by the American Chiropractic Association.<ref>[https://www.acatoday.org/ American Chiropractic Association]</ref>

Chiropractic is regulated in all 50 US states and in 30 countries.<ref>[https://www.chirobase.org/05RB/AHCPR/05.html Chiropractic in the United States: Training, Practice, and Research. Chapter V: Licensure and Legal Scope of Practice] by Ruth Sandefur & Ian D. Coulter. Chirobase</ref>

==Homeopathy education==
{{main|Homeopathy}}
To clear the air, Homeopathy [[Placebo effect|is no different from]] drinking a glass of [[water]], that being said, there are institutions offering education in homeopathy. The number of [[Academic accreditation|accredited]] schools offering courses in homeopathy are slim in the US. Homeopathy classes are plentiful at schools such as [[Bastyr University]] in the United States. In [[India]], homeopathy classes are extremely plentiful,<ref>{{wpa|Regulation and prevalence of homeopathy#India}}</ref> because the government regulates homeopathy.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201022013659/https://www.nhp.gov.in/regulatory-system_mtl Regulatory System]. ''National Health Portal, Government of India''. Archived from [https://www.nhp.gov.in/regulatory-system_mtl the original].</ref> There are entire medical schools in India devoted to homeopathy. Requirements for certificates in homeopathy vary in the US. An example of homeopathic education in the US (from the [[New Eden School of Natural Health|New Eden School of Natural Health & Herbal Studies]]) includes: anatomy and physiology, [[chemistry]], natural health, [[Bach flower remedies]], "[[cell salts]] homeopathic remedies" and business practices.<ref>[http://www.newedenschoolofnaturalhealth.org/energy-medicine-programs Energy Medicine Programs] New Eden School of Natural Health & Herbal Studies</ref>

==Alphabet soup==
Below is a list of alternative medicine certifications, some are regulated but most are not. It is not unusual for alternative medicine practitioners to list several of these after their name in an attempt at [[credentialism]]. Being regulated (e.g., [[chiropractic]] in some jurisdictions) does not mean that the practice is [[evidence]]-based. Some of these fields straddle the border between [[evidence-based medicine]] and alternative medicine (e.g. [[osteopathy]] and [[massage]]). The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine basically encourages credentialism ("It is puzzling to see the number of certified NCCAOM Diplomates who do not list their national certification credentials."), suggesting that people include their highest academic degree as well as all of their state licenses and professional certificates.<ref>[http://www.nccaom.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/NCCAOM%20Credential%20Doc.pdf Displaying Your Credentials Proudly and Properly] by Kory Ward-Cook, Ph.D., CAE, MT (ASCP), Chief Executive Officer and Mina Larson, M.S., Deputy Director of NCCAOM</ref>
{{collist|2|
*A.B.T. — Asian Bodywork Therapist
*Ac.D. — Acupuncture Doctor
*Ac.T. — Acupuncture Therapist
*A.M. — Alternative Medicine
*A.M.T. — Advanced Massage Therapist
*A.P. — Acupuncture Physician
*B.A.M.S. — Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine
*B.C.I.A.C. — Biofeedback Certification Institute of America
*C.A., C.Ac. — Certified Acupuncturist
*C.A.R. — Certified Advanced Rolfer
*C.A.R. — Certified Alexander Teacher
*C.A.S. — Clinical Ayurveda Specialist
*C.B.P.M. — Certified Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy
*C.B.T. — Certified Biofeedback Therapy
*C.C.H. — Certified in Classical Homeopathy ''or'' Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist
*C.C.N. — Certified Clinical Nutritionist
*C.C.S.P. — Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician
*C.H. — Chinese Herbalist
*C.H.O.M. — Certified Homeopathic
*C.H.T. — Certified Hypnotherapist
*C.L.M.P. — Certified Licensed Massage Practitioner
*C.L.M.T. — Certified Licensed Massage Therapist
*C.M.P — Certified Massage Practitioner
*C.M.T. — Certified Massage Therapist
*C.N.C. — Certified Nutritional Consultant
*C.N.P. — Certified Nutritional Practitioner
*C.R. — Certified Rolfer
*C.S.T. — Certified Structural Therapist
*C.T.P. — Certified Trager Practitioner
*C.V.A. — Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
*D.A. or D.Ac. — Doctor of Acupuncture
*D.A.B.C.A. — Diplomate American Board of Chiropractic Acupuncture
*D.A.B.M.A. — Diplomat American Board of Medical Acupuncture
*D.Ac. — Doctor of Acupuncture
*D.A.M.S. — Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery
*D.A.O.M. — Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
*D.C. — Doctor of Chiropractic
*D.C.H. — Doctor of Clinical Hypnotherapy
*D.C.M. — Doctor of Chinese Medicine
*D.H.A.N.P. — Diplomate of the Homeopathic Association of Naturopathic Physicians
*D.H.M.S. — Diplomate of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery
*D.H.O.M. — Diplomate of Homeopathic Medicine
*D.Ht. — Diplomate in Homeotherapeutics
*Dipl. ABT or Dip. A.B.T. — Diplomate in Asian Bodywork Therapy
*Dipl. C.H. — Diplomate in Chinese Herbology
*Dipl. O.M. or Dip. O.M. — Diplomate in Oriental Medicine
*D.N.B.A.O. or Dip C.H. — Diplomate, National Board of Acupuncture Orthopedics
*D.O. — Doctor of Osteopathy
*D.O.M. — Doctor of Oriental Medicine
*D.T.C.M. — Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine
*E.E.M.-C.P. — Eden Energy Medicine Certified Practitioner
*E.E.M.-A.P. — Eden Energy Medicine Advanced Practitioner
*F.A.S.A. — Fellow, Acupuncture Society of America
*F.I.A.M.A. — Fellow, International Academy of Medical Acupuncture
*G.C.F.P. — Guild-Certified Feldenkrais practitioner
*H.H.P. — Holistic Health Practitioner
*H.M.P. — Homeopathic Medical Doctor
*I.A.C.A. — International Academy of Chiropractic Acupuncture
*L.Ac. or Lic. Ac. — Licensed Acupuncturist
*L.M.T. — Licensed Massage Therapist
*L.N. — Licensed Nutritionist
*L.N.C. — Licensed Nutritionist Counselor
*M.Ac. — Master of Acupuncture
*M.A.O.M. — Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
*M.A.T.I. — Teaching members of Alexander Technique International
*M.B.W. — Master Bodyworker
*M.D.H. — Medical Doctor of Homeopathy
*M.H. — Master Herbalist
*M.O.M. — Master’s Degree in Oriental medicine
*M.S.O.M. — Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine
*M.S.T.C.M. — Masters of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine
*M.S.T.O.M. — Masters of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine
*M.T. — Massage Therapist
*M.T.O.M. — Masters of Traditional Oriental Medicine
*N.A.S.T.A.T. — Member of the North American Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique
*N.C. — Diploma in Nutritional Consulting
*N.C.T.M.B. — Nationally Certified Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
*N.D. or N.M.D. — Naturopathic Doctor or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
*O.B.T. — Oriental Bodywork Therapist
*O.M.D. — Oriental Medical Doctor
*P.K.S. — Panchakarma Specialist
*P.P. — Polarity Practitioner
*Q.M.E. — Qualified Medical Examiner
*R.A. or R.Ac. — Registered Acupuncturist
*R.C.T. — Registered Craniosacral Therapist
*R.Hom. — Registered with National Union of Professional and Trained Homeopaths
*R.M.T. — Registered Massage Therapist
*R.P.P. — Registered Polarity Practitioner
*R.S.Hom., N.A. — Registered Member of the North American Society of Homeopaths
*S.T. — Somatic Therapist
*T.C.M.D. — Traditional Chinese Medical Doctor
}}

==See also==
*[[Credentialism]]
*[[Diploma mill]]
*[[Gillian McKeith]]
*[[Michael Uzick]]
*[[Osteopathy]] — The doctor of osteopathy (DO) is the equivalent of an MD but additionally includes training in physical manipulation. DOs are more likely to be involved in [[quackery]] than regular MDs.
*[[Protected term]] — titles that you can't use without earning them

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

[[Category:Alternative medicine lists]]
[[Category:Glossaries]]
[[Category:Education]]

Categories: Alternative medicine lists, Glossaries, Education