Naturopathy

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[[File:Irradiated_scrofulous_children.jpg|thumb|right|250px|An early naturopathic treatment: children getting imprecise doses of radiation for scrofula (tuberculosis of the lymph nodes)]]
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{{cquote|Naturopathy is a cornucopia of almost every [[quackery]] you can think of. Be it [[homeopathy]], [[traditional Chinese medicine]], [[Ayurvedic medicine]], [[applied kinesiology]], [[Anthroposophy|anthroposophical medicine]], [[reflexology]], [[craniosacral therapy]], Bowen Technique, and pretty much any other form of unscientific or prescientific medicine that you can imagine, it’s hard to think of a single form of [[pseudoscientific]] medicine and quackery that naturopathy doesn’t embrace or at least tolerate.|||David Gorski<ref>[http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/here-we-go-again-a-bill-licensing-naturopaths-rears-its-ugly-head-in-michigan/ ''Here we go again: A bill licensing naturopaths rears its ugly head in Michigan''] by David Gorski (February 4, 2013) Science-Based Medicine.</ref>}}
'''Naturopathy''', or naturopathic medicine, is a field of practice in healing and maintaining health wherein practitioners use various "[[Appeal to nature|natural]]" remedies to treat their patients. The main idea behind naturopathy is that it supposedly helps the body's own self-healing process; this is based on the pre- and pseudo-scientific theory of [[vitalism]], according to which the body has some sort of "energy" that is necessary for one's health. Naturopathic medicine disfavours surgery and drugs, preferring more friendly and fuzzy treatments like [[Herbal supplements|herbal medicine]] or outright [[woo]] such as "[[Subtle energy|natural energy fields]]". Unlike medical or osteopathic doctors (M.D. and D.O, respectively), naturopathic doctors (N.D.) are not universally regulated,<ref name=legguide>[https://www.naturopathicdiaries.com/legislation-guide-naturopathic-medicine/ Legislative Guide] by Britt Hermes (28 January 2015; Latest updates: 7 Jan 2018) ''Naturopathic Diaries''.</ref> so on this page the term naturopath is used for both licensed and unlicensed practitioners of naturopathy.

Naturopathy doesn't have any real standards; what therapies one can expect from naturopathic care can vary wildly from practitioner to practitioner,<ref>"The practices we encountered in our survey of the occupation ranged from the generally supportable to the improbable to the disproved. The list includes: […] Some naturopaths we interviewed laughed at certain items in the list but embraced others that had even less credibility." [http://www.naturowatch.org/general/beyerstein.html ''Naturopathy: A Critical Analysis''], Barry L. Beyerstein, PhD, Susan Downie, [[Quackwatch]].</ref> and are very often contradictory. Some naturopaths, like [[nutritionist]]s, may give quite good advice ("eat fruits and vegetables"), mixed with concepts that have no basis in reality, such as homeopathy, [[Reiki]], unproven [[Nutritional supplement|supplements]], or whatever [[fad diet]] they happen to believe in. (The practice of naturopaths themselves selling their patients supplements is widespread and in fact encouraged by naturopathic organizations.<ref name=aanmc>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111023180618/http://www.aanmc.org/naturopathic-medicine/naturopathic-medicine-faq/your-questions-answered.php#salary Your Questions Answered], Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges.</ref> No [[conflict of interest]] there at all.)

Naturopaths also very frequently claim to be [[Holistic medicine|holistic]], meaning that they listen to their patients and sympathize with them, rather than just coldly treating them without any regard for their feelings. They "focus on the patient, not the disease". Which is actually pretty accurate, given that more often than not the "treatments" have no effect on the disease anyway.

==History==
===Benedict Lust===
[[File:Benedict Lust.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Benedict Lust]]
Naturopathy [[Appeal to ancient wisdom|claims ancient roots]] based on the Hippocrates quote, {{wpl|Vis medicatrix naturae|"''vis medicatrix naturae''"}} ("the healing power of nature"),<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151129215028/https://www.cand.ca/History_of_Naturopathic_Medicine.51.0.html?&L=1&L=0 Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors: History of Naturopathic Medicine]</ref> but in reality it was cobbled together by a [[German]] immigrant to the [[United States]] named Benedict Lust. Lust used "Dr." before his name and claimed to have a degree from the New York Homeopathic Medical College in 1901 and a degree in [[osteopathy]] in 1902 from the Universal College of Osteopathy in [[New York]],<ref name=lust>''Collected Works of Benedict Lust ND, Founder of Naturopathic Medicine'' (2006) Healing Mountain Publishing. ISBN 1-933350-04-0.</ref> but there was no evidence that he was licensed for anything in the state of New York and he was convicted there of practicing medicine without a licence.<ref name=fishbein>[https://archive.org/details/1932FishbeinFadsAndQuackeryInHealing ''Fads and Quackery in Healing: An Analysis of the Foibles of the Healing Cults, with Essays on Various Other Peculiar Notions in the Health Field''] by Morris Fishbein (1932) Blue Ribbon Books, 382 pp.</ref>{{rp|122}} Lust was aware of the German {{wpl|Lebensreform|''Lebensreform''}} movement that had begun in the 1870s (he had translated one of the movement's books in 1903<ref>[https://archive.org/details/returntonaturetr00just/page/n7/mode/2up ''Return To Nature! The True Natural Method of Healing And Living and the True Salvation of the Soul''] by Adolf Just, translated by Benedict Lust (1903) B. Lust.</ref>) and the movement was undoubtedly an inspiration for his own writings.

The term "naturopathy" was coined by Lust's colleague, John Scheel, in 1900. Lust popularized the term through his publications, by opening the first naturopathic school (the American School of Naturopathy in [[New York City]]), and from the establishment of health resorts known as "Yungborn" in Butler, [[New Jersey]] and Tangerine, [[Florida]].<ref name=lust/>

Lust credited several men who preceded him for the development of naturopathy, including Sebastian Kneipp (popularizer of the [[Water Cure]]), Friedrich Eduard Bilz (who wrote the book ''Das Neue Naturheilverfahren''<ref>''Das neue Naturheilverfahren: Lehrbuch der naturgemässen Heilweise und Gesundheitspflege'' by Friedrich Eduard Bilz (1888) F.E. Bilz.</ref> (translated as ''The Natural Method of Healing'' in 1898<ref>[https://archive.org/details/b20417081_001 ''The Natural Method of Healing''] by Friedrich Eduard Bilz (1898) F.E. Bilz.</ref>), and Louis Kuhne (see below).<ref name=universal>[https://archive.org/details/universalnaturop00lust ''Universal Naturopathic Encyclopedia, Directory and Buyers' Guide: Year Book of Drugless Therapy for 1918-19] by Benedict Lust (editor and publisher).</ref>

By 1918, Lust included the following fields of 
treatment
 [[quackery]] within naturopathy in his book ''Universal Naturopathic Encyclopedia'': electro-medicine, [[Radiation|radiology]], [[ozone therapy]], [[magnetic field therapy]], light therapy, vibration therapy, [[milk]] diet, [[chiropractic]], [[raw foodism]] ("apyrtrophy"), [[fasting]], hydrotherapy ("The Water Cure"), "astroscopy" ([[Astrology|astrological]] medicine), [[phrenology]], [[Christian science]], [[iridology]], diagnosis by facial expression, and "chromopathy" ([[color therapy]]).<ref name=universal/> The main ideas during the Lust-era of naturopathy (roughly 1900 to 1945) were all-inclusiveness &mdash; all natural "cures" were of value and to be included under the umbrella of naturopathy, and "drugless healing" in the form of strong opposition to the medical establishment.<ref name=universal/>

Lust's views on what is and is not naturopathy leads to [[irony]] both during and after the Lust era, when:
# Radiation therapy was promoted (natural, though ostensibly a drug) for use by non-physicians despite it being well-known (even before 1917 and even by its naturopathic advocates) that radiation ''caused'' cancer.<ref name=universal/><ref>[https://archive.org/details/principlesofelec00mati ''Principles of electro-medicine, electrosurgery and radiology: A practical treatise for students and practitioners. With chapters on mechanical vibration and blood pressure technique''] by Anthony Matijaca (1917). Butler, NJ: Dr. Benedict Lust</ref>
# Some modern naturopaths prescribe synthetic pharmaceuticals, including Benadryl,<ref name=nstdf>[https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/what-naturopaths-say-to-each-other-when-they-think-no-ones-listening/ ''What naturopaths say to each other when they think no one’s listening''], Science-Based Medicine, David Gorski. Includes examples of naturopaths using things like Benadryl and hydrochloric acid.</ref> hydrocodone,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140801125713/http://www.naturopathic.org/article_content.asp?edition=101&section=156&article=908 AzNMA Scores Two Legislative Victories] ''The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians''</ref> oxycodone, anabolic steroids, Proscar, Finasteride and Propecia, Clomiphene, Phetermine, DHEA-7 Keto, SSRIs, Phentermine, Adderol, and Fentanyl.<ref name=disciplinary>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150910125938/https://nd.az.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/Discplinary%20Actions.pdf Disciplinary Action: Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board] Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board (archived from September 10, 2015).</ref> As of 2013, Arizona naturopaths were allowed to prescribe morphine (Schedule II) as well as all Schedule III, IV and V drugs.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20161223040845/https://pharmacy.az.gov/sites/default/files/editors_choice/attachments/prescriptive%20authority%20chart%20(02-2013).pdf Prescriptive Authority of Health Professionals in Arizona] ''Arizona State Board of Pharmacy'' (archived from December 23, 2016).</ref> These prescriptions would be antithetical to Lust's view of naturopathy.

===Louis Kuhne===
[[File:Louis Kuhne.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Kuhne]]
The 1918 ''Universal Naturopathic Encyclopedia'' also includes within it a posthumously published book by Louis Kuhne {{lived|1835|1901}} titled, ''The New Science of Healing or The Doctrine of the Unity of Diseases'' (pages 223-488).{{efn|Originally self-published as ''Die neue Heilwissenschaft'' in 1896<ref>[http://www.archive.org/stream/dieneueheilwiss01kuhngoog#page/n6/mode/2up ''Die neue Heilwissenschaft''] by Louis Kuhne (1896).</ref>}} The book contains some remarkable 
cures
 treatments that amount to a combination of vitalism, [[germ theory denialism]] and [[antivax]].<ref name=universal/> For [[measles]], scarlet fever, diphtheria, [[smallpox]], whooping cough, scrofula (lymphadenopathy), rheumatism, gout, and sciatica, the treatment consists of combinations of friction sitz-baths, cold baths and steam baths.<ref name=universal/> Other ailments that Kuhne claimed could be treated include: cold extremities, hot head, nervous and mental diseases, lung inflammation, tuberculosis, pleurisy, lupus, [[venereal disease]]s, bladder and kidney disease, diabetes, uremia, bed wetting, liver disease, gall stones, intestinal diseases, heart disease, dropsy (edema), spinal cord diseases, hemorrhoids, chlorosis (anemia), epilepsy, anemia, epilepsy, agoraphobia, [[eye]] and ear diseases, dental diseases, head colds, influenza, throat diseases and goiter, headache and migraine, brain inflammation, typhus, dysentery, cholera, diarrhea, tropical fevers, [[malaria]], yellow fever, leprosy, scabies, worms and [[parasite]]s, hernia, cancer, wounds, and "diseases of women".<ref name=universal/> The total lack of understanding of disease causes and treatment by Kuhne would seem to be evident simply by his placement of wildly unrelated diseases within the same chapter (e.g., "Epileptic Fits. Agoraphobia", p. 366).<ref name=universal/>

===Other founders===
[[File:Johann Schroth.jpg|thumb|right|165px|A portrait of Schroth]]
*Vincenz Priessnitz {{lived|1799|1851}} was a German peasant farmer. He created the [[Water Cure]], and with Johann Schroth created the "Nature Cure".<ref>[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.528596/page/n17 ''Everybody's Guide to Nature Cure''] by Harry Benjamin (1941) Health for All Publishing. p. 5.</ref>
*Johann Schroth {{lived|1798|1856}} was a haulage contractor. He promoted an austere diet and [[fasting]], cold compresses, and steam baths.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110718201322/http://www.badfallingbostel.de/staticsite/staticsite.php?topmenu=156&menuid=161 Cure branches: The Schroth-Cure] (18.07.2011) Bad Fallingbostel (archived from July 18, 2011).</ref>
*Sebastian Kneipp {{lived|1821|1897}} was a German [[Catholic]] priest who promoted the Water Cure, sometimes known as the Kneipp Cure. The cure was part of Kneipp's five principles of water, plants (herbal medicine), exercise, nutrition and balance.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180903133403/https://www.kneipp.com/us_en/natures-expert/kneipp-philosophy/five-pillars/ Kneipp's Five Pillars] Kneipp USA (archived from September 3, 2018).</ref>
*Emanuel Felke {{lived|1856|1926}} was a Protestant priest from Prussia. He advocated iridology and the "Felke Cure", which consisted of sitz-bath, light-and-air bath ([[nudity]]), clay bath and sleeping on the bare ground overnight.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180816044556/http://www.hevert.com/market-uae/en_US/my_health/naturopathy-in-the-tradition-of-emanuel-felke/light-air-water Light, air, water] Hevert Arzneimittel (archived from August 16, 2018).</ref>
*Henry Lindlahr {{lived|1862|1924}} graduated from National Medical University, a "low-grade medical college" which is no longer extant.<ref name=fishbein/>{{rp|118}} Lindlahr promoted quackery in the form of "strange diets, airbaths, water cures, [[Light woo|light treatments]], chiropractic, osteopathy, homeopathy, herbals, [and] [[psychoanalysis]]".<ref name=fishbein/>{{rp|119}} Lindlahr was the author of ''Nature Cure'', a foundational text of Naturopathy.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/naturecure00lindgoog ''Nature Cure: Philosophy and Practice Based on the United of Disease and Cure''] by Henry Lindlahr (1914) Nature Cure Publishing Co.</ref>

===Early debunking===
By 1932, Morris Fishbein {{lived|1889|1976}} had recorded an A-to-Z of quackery that fell within the naturopathy umbrella.<ref name=fishbein/>{{rp|128-139}} Fishbein was an M.D. and was editor of the ''Journal of the American Medical Association '' from 1924-1949.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170714091341/https://www.nytimes.com/1976/09/28/archives/dr-morris-fishbein-dead-at-87-former-editor-of-ama-journal.html Dr. Morris Fishbein Dead at 87; Former Editor of A.M.A. Journal] by Robert McG. Thomas Jr. (Sept 28, 1976) ''The New York Times'' (archived from July 14, 2017).</ref> The quack treatments that he documented have since mostly fallen into obscurity:<ref name=fishbein/>
{{collist|2|
*Aerotherapy &mdash; "the patient is baked in a hot oven", and hence treated with [[Bullshit|hot air]]
*Alereos system &mdash; treatment with heat and vibrations (with reference to osteopathy and chiropractic
*Astral healing &mdash; an astrological reading followed by "medical" advice
*Autology &mdash; a moderation-in-all things regimen developed by E. R. Moras, M.D., which also [[ironically]] recommended the exclusion of physicians
*Auto-science &mdash; psychology, serums, "suggestive therapeutics", and "The Law of Creative Energy"
*Autotherapy &mdash; a self-cure therapy developed by Dr. Charles H. Duncan; examples of "cures" included eating the boiled pus from boils to cure boils, and eating one's own filtered sputum from for tuberculosis
*Biodynamochromatic diagnosis and therapy &mdash; Developed by George Starr White, M.D. F.S.Sc., D.C., Ph.D., LL.D. Disease is diagnosed by a "'sympathetic Vagal Reflex.' To elicit the said phenomenon, the patient faces east or west and his abdomen is thumped until a dull area is found. Then colored lights are thrown on the abdomen and the thumping is continued. A ruby and blue light with associated dullness means one thing and a green light combination another."
*Christos &mdash; a form of "blood washing" that involved purging the intestine by consuming herbal tonics
*Chromopathy and Chromatherapy &mdash; variants on biodynamochromatics (above)
*Electro-homeopathy &mdash; a combination of electrotherapy and homeopathy
*Electro-naprapathy &mdash; a combination of electrotherapy and naprapathic chiropractic
*Electrotherapy &mdash; "The use of electric devices has a definite place in the treatment of disease. It should not be thought, however, that any electrician or machinist is competent to use such methods." One can safely presume that some electrotherapists may have fewer qualifications than an electrician.
*Geotherapy &mdash; application of small pads of earth for treatment of disease
*Irido-diagnosis &mdash; more commonly known nowadays as "[[iridology]]"
*[[Kneipp Cure]] &mdash; also known as water therapy
*Limpio comerology &mdash; "clean eating" in combination with proprietary preparations, "Q-33" and "Q-34"
*Pathiatry &mdash; a formerly trademarked treatment that combined self-administered "spinal adjustment, traction, manipulation, deep massage, etc."
*Poropathy &mdash; "manipulative surgery" that involved applying lotions to the skin, which were claimed to then be absorbed into the diseased organs, thus treating "internal cancer, cerebrospinal meningitis, epilepsy, tuberculosis of the joints and heart disease".
*Practo-therapy &mdash; naturopaths who use [[colonics]]
*Quartz-therapy &mdash; naturopaths who use quartz mercury vapor lamps
*Sanatology &mdash; treats the "two basic causes of all disease": acidosis and toxicosis
*Somapathy &mdash; Developed by Dr. C. H. Murray, "The diagnostician feels around in the place where the nerves emerge from the spinal cord and adjusts them. Then he continues his good effects by applying ice cold, or material heated up to two hundred degrees [Fahrenheit] at the place of adjustment."
*Spectrocromists &mdash; advises individuals to wear garments based on prescribed colors (see [[color therapy]])
*Vita-O-Pathy &mdash; Orrin Robertson, Ph.D., D.M., M.D., developed an amalgam of 36+ surgery-free systems based on geometry, ancient science, philosophy and religion.
*Zodiac therapy &mdash; a combination of aerotherapy, astral healing (see above) and herbs
*Zonotherapy &mdash; Developed by Dr. Fizgerald of Hartford, [[Connecticut]], who divided the body into zones. "For instance, a toothache on the right side may be 'cured' by fastening a little spring around the second toe of the left foot."
}}

==Definition==
{{cquote|The things naturopaths do that are good are not special, and the things they do that are special are not good.|||[[Harriet Hall]], MD<ref>[http://skepdic.com/natpathy.html The Skeptic's Dictionary: naturopathy]</ref>}}
As has been noted, naturopathy doesn't really entail anything very specific, and practitioners can run the gamut from slightly dubious lifestyle counselors to completely crazy [[germ theory denialist]]s.<ref name=germdenialism>[http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/germ-theory-denialism-a-major-strain-in-alt-med-thought/ Germ theory denialism: A major strain in "alt-med" thought] by David Gorski (August 9 2010) ''[[Science-Based Medicine]]''.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150930230713/http://blog.phoreveryoung.com/2015/09/29/the-new-biology-the-science-of-dr-rob/ The New Biology – The Science of Dr. Rob] by Robert O. Young (09/29/2015) ''pHorever Young'' (archived from September 30, 2015).</ref> Nevertheless, there are some positions which can be considered to be quite common among naturopaths as a whole. There is the [[appeal to nature]], which is ubiquitous (although, as "natural" is a pretty vague term, the conception of which therapies are natural or not can vary depending on the practitioner)<ref name=nstdf/><ref name=versusnatural>[http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/natural-versus-natural-in-camworld ''Natural versus "natural" in CAMworld'',] by David Gorski (January 19, 2009) ''Science-Based Medicine''.</ref><ref name=sns>[https://web.archive.org/web/20141017055735/http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2014/10/08/sht-naturopaths-say/ Sh*t Naturopaths Say] by Orac (October 8, 2014) ''[[ScienceBlogs]]''.</ref>; a [[Anti-vaccination movement|distrust of vaccines]] and other "[[Chemophobia|synthetic]]" products; use of herbs and [[vitamin]]s; a tendency to prefer exotic, Eastern medicine (the more expensive and obscure, the better!) such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM); and the belief that our bodies are full of [[toxin]]s like [[lead]] and [[mercury]], which need to be purged by means of [[detox]]ing or [[chelation therapy]]. [[Irony|Ironically]], Ayurveda and TCM actually consider mercury, lead, [[arsenic]], and [[asbestos]] to be legitimate medical remedies, even as naturopaths wholeheartedly recommend these systems of "medicine". In addition, the [[America]]n ''Textbook of Natural Medicine'' lists [[Unani]] (in addition to Ayurveda and TCM) as an acceptable form of naturopathic treatment,<ref>[http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/naturopathy-embraces-the-four-humors/ Naturopathy Embraces the Four Humors] by Jann Bellamy (December 27, 2012) ''[[Science-Based Medicine]]''.</ref> even though [[bloodletting]] and [[leeching]] are integral parts of it (even more so than in Ayurveda and TCM).

Quite a few naturopaths seem to have no problem prescribing pharmaceuticals or synthesized supplements, despite the anti-[[Big Pharma]] rhetoric of many. Chelation drugs, Benadryl®, colchicine, and various other pharmaceuticals are prescribed by naturopaths on a regular basis.<ref name=nstdf/><ref name=versusnatural/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160410213349/http://www.drmcclanen.com/naturopathic-news.htm Naturopathic News: Paging Dr. Alternative: State pushing naturopaths to fill shortage in primary care] by Peter Korn (Apr 1, 2010, Updated May 7, 2010) ''The Portland Tribune'' via ''Naturopathic Family Medicine'' (archived from April 10 2016).</ref><ref name=sns/> It seems each individual naturopath just arbitrarily mixes and matches "synthetic" and "natural" treatments with no real rhyme or reason, depending on what "feels right". What is a toxic synthetic pharmaceutical for one naturopath may be a perfectly acceptable naturopathic treatment for another. To give just one of many examples, some blast [[Botox]] (which, incidentally, is completely natural) as being a horrible poison,<ref>[http://archive.ph/my3Na Botox and Fillers: The Case Against] ''The Natural Recovery Plan'' (archived from 22 Nov 2015 20:53:30 UTC).</ref><ref>[http://stonetreeclinic.com/our-services/anti-aging/ Anti-Aging] ''Stone Tree Clinic'' (archived from March 3, 2013).</ref><ref>[http://www.mindfood.com/article/9-tips-your-naturopath-wants-you-to-know-about-flawless-skin/ 9 Tips your Naturopath wants you to know about flawless skin]. Tip 5: "My advice would be to avoid Botox as it is the most deadliest poison for the skin."</ref> while others use it quite happily.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180815124832/http://www.salveoclinic.ca/botox.html Botox] '''Salveo: Naturopathic & Skin Care'' (archived from August 15, 2018).</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180812212906/http://thewrightdoctor.com/2011/10/05/naturopathic-botox-support/ Naturopathic Botox Support] ''The Wright Doctor'' (archived from August 12, 2018).</ref>

==Principles==
The principles of modern naturopathy according to the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges are:<ref>[https://aanmc.org/6-principles/ The 6 Principles: Naturopathic medicine celebrates the healing power of nature.] ''Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges''.</ref>
{{cquote|
#The Healing Power of Nature: Trust in the [[Spontaneous remission|body's inherent wisdom to heal itself]].
#Identify and Treat the Causes: Look beyond the symptoms to the underlying cause.
#First Do No Harm: Utilize the most natural, least invasive and least toxic therapies.
#Doctor as Teacher: Educate patients in the steps to achieving and maintaining health.
#Treat the Whole Person: View the body as an integrated whole in all its physical and spiritual dimensions.
#Prevention: Focus on overall health, wellness and disease prevention.
}}
These may sound like [[common sense]], but because they are not [[Evidence-based medicine|evidence-based]], there is little understanding by naturopaths about what is less harmful or what is more effective. Why, for example do naturopaths eschew vaccines for their invasiveness (generally very safe and effective), but recommend invasive colonics (ineffective and potentially dangerous{{efn|"Side effects of colon cleansing include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, acute kidney insufficiency, pancreatitis, bowel perforation, heart failure, and infection."<ref name=mishori>[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21814639/ The dangers of colon cleansing] by Ranit Mishori et al. ''J. Fam. Pract.'' 2011 August;60(8):454-457.</ref>}})? Why are vaccines considered to be unnatural by naturopaths (originally performed with cowpox and a simple lance<ref>[https://norkinvirology.wordpress.com/2014/09/16/edward-jenner-and-the-smallpox-vaccine/ Edward Jenner and the Smallpox Vaccine] by Leonard Norkin (September 16, 2014).</ref>) but colonics are considered to be natural (which use plastic tubing and modern plumbing)?

==Modern treatments==
There is no single list of what constitutes naturopathic treatment, but common treatments are covered at accredited naturopathic universities. The list of treatments has changed substantially from the olden days, perhaps because [[evidence-based medicine]] is not used there is no clear pathway between evolving treatments as there is in [[Western medicine]]. Common diagnostics and treatments include:<ref>[http://bastyr.smartcatalogiq.com/2015-2016/2015-2016-Academic-Catalog/Courses Courses] ''Bastyr University''.</ref><ref>[https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/naturopathy Naturopathy] ''Victoria State Government''.</ref><ref>[https://nccih.nih.gov/health/naturopathy Naturopathy] ''National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health''.</ref><ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC529271/pdf/1472-6882-4-14.pdf Practice patterns of naturopathic physicians: results from a random survey of licensed practitioners in two US States] by Heather S. Boon et al. (2004) ''BMC Complement. Altern. Med.'' 4:14. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-4-14.</ref><ref>[https://aacijournal.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/1710-1492-7-14 Supported by science?: What Canadian naturopaths advertise to the public] by Timothy CaulfieldEmail & Christen Rachul (2011) ''Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology'' 7:14. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-7-14.</ref>
{{collist|2|
*[[Acupuncture]] and acupressure
*[[Ayurvedic medicine]]
*[[Chelation therapy]]
*[[Chiropractic]], [[craniosacral therapy]] or {{wpl|Bowen technique}}
*[[Detoxification]] and [[Colonics]]
*Diet, possibly including [[diet woo]], [[fasting]], and [[vitamin and mineral supplements]]
*[[Herbal medicine]]
*[[Homeopathy]]
*[[Hydrotherapy]]
*[[Iridology]]
*[[Kinesiology]]
*Lifestyle counseling
*[[Live blood analysis]]
*[[Massage]]
*[[Meditation]]
*[[Reflexology]]
*[[Rolfing]]
*[[Traditional Chinese medicine]]
}}

==Criticism==
{{cquote|Naturopathic theory and practice are not based on the body of basic knowledge related to health, disease, and health care that has been [[Scientific consensus|widely accepted by the scientific community]]. Moreover, irrespective of its theory, the scope and quality of naturopathic education do not prepare the practitioner to make an adequate diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment.|||Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (1968)<ref>[https://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Naturopathy/hew.html ''Independent Practitioners under Medicare: A Report to the Congress''] by Wilbur J. Cohen (1968) Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.</ref>}}

{{cquote|In our inquiry, we provided naturopaths and their professional associations ample opportunity to refute the conclusions of several major commissions of inquiry over the years that deemed their therapeutic rationale lacking in scientific credibility. None of our informants was able to convince us that the field had taken these earlier critiques to heart; in fact, precious few seemed to recognize that a problem still exists. Throughout, we found underestimation of the power of the [[placebo]]. At the same time, our own bibliographic searches failed to discover any [[Randomized controlled trial|properly controlled clinical trials]] that supported claims of naturopathy, except in a few limited areas where naturopaths' advice concurs with that of orthodox medical science. Where naturopathy and biomedicine disagree, the evidence is uniformly to the detriment of the former.
<BR>
We therefore conclude that clients drawn to naturopaths are either unaware of the well-established scientific deficiencies of naturopathic practice or choose [[Willful ignorance|willfully to disregard them on ideological grounds]].|||{{wpl|Wallace Sampson}} & Lewis Vaughn (2000)<ref>''Science Meets Alternative Medicine: What the Evidence Says About Unconventional Treatments'' by Wallace Sampson & Lewis Vaughn (2000) Prometheus Books. ISBN 1573928038.</ref>{{rp|159}}}}
{{cquote|"Naturopathic medicine" is an eclectic assortment of pseudoscientific, fanciful, and unethical practices. Implausible naturopathic claims are still prevalent and are no more valid now than they were in 1968.|||{{wpl|Kimball C. Atwood}} (2003)<ref>[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14745386/ Naturopathy: A Critical Appraisal] by Kimball C. Atwood (2003) ''Medscape General Medicine''. 2003;5(4).</ref>}}

{{cquote|Naturopathic medical school is not a medical school in anything but the appropriation of the word medical. Naturopathy is not a branch of medicine. It is a combination of nutritional advice, home remedies and discredited treatments.<BR>
…<BR>
Naturopathic practices are unchanged by research and remain a large assortment of erroneous and potentially dangerous claims mixed with a sprinkling of non-controversial dietary and lifestyle advice.|||The Massachusetts Medical Society (2015)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151127074334/http://www.massmed.org/Advocacy/MMS-Testimony/MMS-Testimony-in-Opposition-to-H--1992-and-S--1205,-An-Act-to-Create-a-Board-of-Registration-in-Naturopathy/#.VlgJqJHP32c MMS Testimony in Opposition to H. 1992 and S. 1205, An Act to Create a Board of Registration in Naturopathy] (November 17, 2015) ''The Massachusetts Medical Society''.</ref>}}

==Universities that teach naturopathic medicine==
[[File:National College of Naturopathic Medicine (Portland, Oregon).jpg|thumb|right|165px|National College of Natural Medicine]]
{{cquote|Accredited naturopathic schools are disguising the naturopathic education of nonsense as a distinct, and better, form of primary care medicine. Sadly, these schools are getting away with what I consider to be education fraud. The truth is that naturopathic education is riddled with pseudoscience, debunked theories, and experimental medical practices.|||Britt Hermes, naturopathic apostate<ref>[http://www.naturopathicdiaries.com/should-i-go-to-naturopathic-school/ Naturopathic Diaries: Should I go to naturopathic school?] June 10, 2015 by Britt Hermes</ref>}}

[[Bastyr University]], which is accredited by the Western Association of Colleges and Schools, offers a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine as well as [[acupuncture]] and other natural healing degrees. Other accredited universities include &mdash; National College of Natural Medicine, [[Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine]], University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine and Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090704112813/http://cnme.org/programs.html Accredited Programs] Council for Naturopathic Medical Education</ref> Education does include actual science (general biology and chemistry, anatomy/physiology, physics etc.) but these colleges generally reject vaccinations or the use of actual medicine. In many states the use of naturopaths is restricted or illegal.{{fact}} Some unaccredited schools also offer "degrees" in naturopathy, including Clayton College of Natural Health;<ref>[https://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/Nonrecorg/clayton.html Clayton College of Natural Health: Be Wary of the School and Its Graduates] by Stephen Barrett (January 18, 2015) ''Quackwatch''.</ref> the Trinity School of Natural Health, which is "accredited" by an accreditation mill;<ref>[https://www.trinityschool.org/about About] Trinity School of Natural Health</ref><ref>[https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/teens-death-hastened-by-practitioner-who-had-bogus-diplomas/ Teen's death hastened by practitioner who had bogus diplomas] by Christine Willmsen & Michael J. Berens (Originally published November 20, 2007 at 12:00 am Updated March 19, 2016 at 12:58 pm) ''The Seattle Times''.</ref> and the Natural Healing Institute, which is also "accredited" by an accreditation mill.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180728190232/http://nhicollege.net/naturopathic-practitioner/ Naturopathic Practitioner] ''Natural Healing Institute (NHI)'' (archived on July 28, 2018).</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180404190146/http://nhicollege.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/AADP-Cert-of-Accreditation-17123705.pdf American Association of Drugless Practitioners Commission on Accreditation: Natural Healing Institute of Naturopathy] (archived from April 4, 2018).</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160925222419/http://www.geteducated.com/college-degree-mills/204-fake-agencies-for-college-accreditation Fake College Accreditation Agencies] ''GetEducated.com'' (archived from September 25, 2016).</ref>

In 1987, the Council for Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) was approved by the US Department of Education as an [[accreditation]] agency.<ref name=accreditation>[https://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Naturopathy/accreditation.html Naturopathic Accreditation Agency: Loses Federal Recognition — But Reapproval Seems Likely] by Stephen Barrett (June 13, 2003) ''Quackwatch''.</ref> In 2001, the approval was withdrawn based on evidence that the CNME "had not responded appropriately to violations of its standards at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences."<ref name=accreditation/> CNME approval was apparently restored in 2003.<ref name=accreditation/><ref>[http://www.cnme.org/ Council for Naturopathic Medical Education]</ref><ref>[https://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Naturopathy/naturopathy.html A Close Look at Naturopathy] by Stephen Barrett (November 26, 2013) ''Quackwatch''.</ref>

In 2001, Arnold S. Relman, Emeritus Professor of Medicine and of Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of ''The New England Journal of Medicine'', reviewed the primary textbook on natural medicine, eponymously called ''Textbook of Natural Medicine'', which was then in its second edition.<ref name=relman>[https://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Naturopathy/relman1.html Textbook of Natural Medicine] by Arnold S. Relman (January 9, 2001) ''Quackwatch''.</ref><ref>''Textbook of Natural Medicine'' edited by Joseph E. Pizzorno & Michael T. Murray (1999). Churchill Livingstone, 2<sup>nd</sup> ed. ISBN 0443059454.</ref> As of 2017, the textbook is in its fourth edition.<ref>''Textbook of Natural Medicine'' edited by Joseph E. Pizzorno & Michael T. Murray (1999). Churchill Livingstone, 4<sup>th</sup> ed. ISBN 1437723330.</ref> The textbook has been edited by Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr. (currently emeritus president of Bastyr University)<ref>[https://www.webmd.com/joe-pizzorno-jr-nd Joseph E. Pizzorno Jr., ND] WebMD</ref> and Michael T. Murray (former faculty at Bastyr University and currently on its Board of Regents).<ref>[http://doctormurray.com/about-dr-murray/ About Dr. Murray] DoctorMurray.com</ref> Relman found serious problems with the textbook, including:<ref name=relman/>
*Treatment of covered health problems are disorganized and deficient. 
*Recommended treatments are often not likely to be effective, while proven medical treatments are often ignored or deficient. This is so even for serious medical conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, epilepsy, [[HIV/AIDS]], [[syphilis]], asthma, tuberculosis, and meningitis.

==Licensing==
As of 2017, several states and territories within of the [[United States]], and every province in [[Canada]], license naturopathic physicians.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090415011600/http://www.naturopathic.org/content.asp?contentid=57 Regulated States & Regulatory Authorities] The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians</ref> Legislation is pending in several other states within the US.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170517033414/http://www.naturopathic.org/files/AANP-State-Regulation-Map.pdf Regulation of Naturopathic Doctors in the United States] The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians</ref> [[Britt Marie Hermes]] provides a guide to legislation of naturopathy in US states and Canadian provinces.<ref name=legguide/> According to Hermes, as of 2015 [[Arizona]] has the "broadest naturopathic scope of practice" and "may be the worst-case scenario of any state licensing pseudoscience as medicine."<ref name=wildwest>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151011211738/http://www.naturopathicdiaries.com/wild-west-naturopathic-ethical-review-board The Wild West: Tales of a Naturopathic Ethical Review Board in Arizona] by Britt Hermes (13 April 2015) ''Naturopathic Diaries''.</ref> Problems in Arizona include:
*Naturopaths have used dangerous treatments under the guise of pseudo-research with the cover of private naturopathic institutional review boards.<ref name=wildwest/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150910125938/https://nd.az.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/Discplinary%20Actions.pdf Disciplinary Action: Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board] (Last Revised 7/18/2014) Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board</ref>
*Naturopaths have the ability to write prescriptions for Schedule II drugs, which include opiates and [[amphetamines]].<ref name=wildwest/><ref name=disciplinary/><ref>[https://www.drugs.com/schedule-2-drugs.html Schedule 2 (II) Drugs] Drugs.com</ref>
*Naturopaths can perform minor surgery.<ref name=wildwest/>
*Naturopaths can administer substances intravenously.<ref name=wildwest/>

There are currently seven colleges and universities that offer a "ND" (
Not Doctor
 [[Doctor of Naturopathy|Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine]]) degree in North America.<ref>[http://www.aanmc.org/ Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges]</ref>

==Diagnostic practices==
The following is an example of naturopaths trying to make diagnoses based on a case study that was presented at the Institutional Review Board of the International American Naturopathic Clinical Research Institute/Naturopathic Oncology Research Institute/International Naturopathic Clinical Research Institute.<ref name=case>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170213082932/http://naturopathicstandards.org/2014/11/14/minutes-20/ Minutes – February 13, 2017] Institutional Review Board of the International American Naturopathic Clinical Research Institute/Naturopathic Oncology Research Institute/International Naturopathic Clinical Research Institute (archived from September 18, 2015).</ref>

In real medicine, case studies are intended to have an educational purpose, either for medical students or for fellow-doctors; case studies are used to determine a proper diagnosis, differentiate between possible diagnoses and/or to determine a proper course of treatment.<ref>[https://www.nature.com/articles/ncprheum0256 Case Studies with an educational purpose] by Julie Solomon (2006) ''Nature Clinical Practice Rheumatology'' 2(8):399.</ref> Naturopaths also use case studies, but they often look amateurish; compared to medical case studies, they often lack detail and focus. To compare the case below to an actual medical case study, see for example "Case Study in Del(17p) Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia".<ref name=PER>[http://archive.ph/4sbIz#selection-1033.0-1067.42 Case Study in Del(17p) Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia] Physicians' Education Resource (PER)</ref>

Note that all the "Dr."s below are actually NMDs ([[Alternative Medicine Education##|Naturopathic Medial Doctors]]) — not actual medical doctors.

{{sbs|title=1|Case Presentation:<ref name=case/>|[[RationalWiki]] Comments:}}

{{sbs|1=Dr. [Cheryl] Hamilton presented the case of a 39-yo clinically obese male patient with a chief complaint of low blood testosterone but high exogenous testosterone use and leukemia. He had a white blood cell count that grew to 50,000. He came in on an already prescribed high dose of testosterone.
|2=This is a remarkably vague description of the case compared to an actual medical case study, which normally would include detailed test diagnostics, e.g., for blood and [[genetics]].<ref name=PER/>}}
{{sbs|1=Dr. [Robert] Waters said that in testicular tissue a statin interferes with testosterone production.
|2=This is true,<ref>[https://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/news/20100416/statins_may_lower_testosterone_libido#1 Statins May Lower Testosterone, Libido: Men With Erectile Dysfunction on Statin Therapy Are Twice as Likely to Have Low Testosterone, Study Finds] by Kathleen Doheny (April 16, 2010) ''WebMD''.</ref> but it is not clear what relevance it has since the patient was not described as having taken statins.
}}
{{sbs|1=Dr. [Andrew] Dickens said he is convinced that a high cholesterol is from a low functioning thyroid, and that measuring thyroid levels in the blood is as useless as appraising a car by the amount of gas in the tank. In other words, blood levels of thyroid hormones are simply residual left over from organ uptake. So thyroid is perhaps low. Also, this patient does seem to have burned out adrenals, and I would check his cortisol.
|2=Curiously, Dickens gives a car analogy, as if he and/or his colleagues do not have a lot of medical expertise. This is not how medical professionals speak to each other when diagnosing patients.<ref name=PER/> Why is Dickens speculating about thyroid levels when a test could have been ordered? This is not the only time that Dickens has made a car analogy for a medical condition;<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180727093738/https://www.cancertutor.com/thyroid-blood-test/ Thyroid: Measuring the 'unmeasurable'] by Andrew Dickens (Updated April 20, 2017) ''Cancer Tutor'' (archived from July 27, 2018). "Back to the blood test. Is the blood test like buying a used car based on how much gas is in the gas tank? Does one need gas in the gas tank? Sure but without tires, motor, transmission, etc. a tank of gas does not do much good. Now it is readily evident for a car that just having a tank of gas is not enough, it is not an 'end point measurement.' The endpoint measurement for a car is to drive it: can it start, get up to speed, stop? — all the things that make a car a car."</ref> was he a used car salesman once?
}}
{{sbs|1=Dr. [Kenneth] Proefrock said please switch the vitamin D2 out to D3. Check his prolactin. The more testosterone that gets pushed into him, the more his liver is going to process it. Plus due to previous breast reduction, he must have been aromatizing a lot of the testosterone. Consider switching him to a ketogenic diet.
|2=What the hell is Proefrock{{efn|As of 2017, Proefrock practices at the Total Wellness Medical Center, and is Vice-President for the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners and the chairperson for the biochemistry portion of the Naturopathic Physician's Licensing Exam.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180313194842/http://www.totalwellnessmedicalcenter.com/about.html Our Doctors] ''Total Wellness Medical Center'' (archived from March 13, 2018).</ref>}}{{efn|In 2004, Proefrock had his license restricted. "Consent Agreement for License Restriction.  Failure to have patient sign 'consent to treat" form, a recognized standard of the naturopathic profession.  Harming a patient by performing Prolotherapy treatment into cervical spine region without the required credential qualifying him in this procedure.  License restricted to performing Prolotherapy of the extremities until he completes no less than 32 hours of training in Prolotherapy of the spinal region in an approved program."<ref name=disciplinary/>}} saying?
*There was no indication that the patient was even taking [[vitamin D]], why is Proefrock saying to switch from D2 to D3? Although there is some inconclusive evidence that vitamin D can prevent some diseases,<ref>[https://www.sciencenews.org/article/vitamin-d-supplements-lose-luster Vitamin D supplements aren’t living up to their hype: Recent studies say taking extra amounts of the nutrient may not be a boon for every body] by Laura Beil (6:00am, January 27, 2019) ''Science News''.</ref> it is not clear what issue Proefrock thinks that vitamin D would address in this case.
*Does Proefrock realize that high doses of testosterone can cause liver toxicity?<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2701485/ The benefits and risks of testosterone replacement therapy: a review] by Nazem Bassil et al. (2009) ''Ther. Clin. Risk. Manag.'' 5: 427–448.</ref> Breast reduction in males causes aromatized testosterone appears to be a case of [[PIDOOMA]] because nothing about that appears in PubMed as of 2019.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190317195714/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=%22aromatized+testosterone%22+breast "'aromatized testosterone' breast"] search in ''PubMed'' (archived from March 17, 2019).</ref>
*[[Low-carb diet|Low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diets]] can lower body weight in the short term, but staying on a low-carbohydrate diet long term can have negative health consequences.
}}
{{sbs|1=Dr. Proefrock said that for treating leukemia it is a situation of watch and wait. Here is a guy who's always vigilant. No wonder he has such a high WBC count, when you consider that the immune system is the vigilant police force of the body. If he could get somebody to help him work through all of his emotional issues, he may be able to undergo a profound enough transformation to break through his current state.
|2=Here we have two bizarre assertions by Proefrock:
#"…leukemia it is a situation of watch and wait". In fact there are two kinds of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), one that is slow growing and may not need immediate treatment, and one that is fast growing and is more serious. The two can be differentiated by a lab test.<ref>[https://www.cancer.org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/about/what-is-cll.html What Is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?] American Cancer Society</ref> Proefrock clearly does not know what he's talking about.
#That if the patient works "through all of his emotional issues", he will be cured. Here we have a type of "[[blaming the victim]]" argument, implying without any substantiation that the patient got cancer because of a bad emotional state.
}}
{{sbs|1=Dr. [Glen] Ozalan agreed. He got into this because he is in red alert. Get him over to a Brain State therapy, to help get him out of a sympathetic state over to a parasympathetic state. So he’s gotten into an addictive cycle in the sympathetic state and the adrenal overdrive. In the long run, over 35 years of practice, I have seen the pattern of everything outside of work on transformational levels as only a band aid.
|2=Brain state therapy is an unproven experimental therapy used for pain, [[sleep]], stress, gait,<ref>[http://mit.applysci.com/2017/07/ai-driven-music-triggered-brain-state-therapy-for-pain-sleep-stress-gait/ AI driven, music-triggered brain state therapy for pain, sleep, stress, gait] (July 10, 2017 at 12:05 pm) ''ApplySci (MIT)''.</ref> none of which are among the patient's symptoms. It is not clear what Ozalen is trying to treat or whether there was even a measurement of adrenal gland function. There was no indication from the presentation that the patient was addicted to anything.
}}
{{sbs|1=Dr. [Andrew] Dickens said that EMF and EMDR all work in such a way to unhook the neurological loops that are self-sustaining.
|2=EMF is electromagnetic field. EMDR is {{wpl|Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing||.}} EMDR has been recommended for [[Post-traumatic stress disorder]], a condition that was not one that the patient was known to have. There is currently debate about whether EMDR is effective even for PTSD because the [[meta-analyses]] on EMDR were [[Garbage in garbage out|based on poor-quality studies]].<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3901120/ The Evolving Construct of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): DSM-5 Criteria Changes and Legal Implications] by Lori A. Zoellner et al. (2013) ''Psychol. Inj. Law.'' 6(4):277–289.</ref><ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23266601 A meta-analysis of the contribution of eye movements in processing emotional memories] by C. W. Lee & P. Cuijpers (2013) ''J. Behav. Ther. Exp. Psychiatry.'' 44(2):231-239. doi: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2012.11.001.</ref>}}
{{sbs|1=Dr. Proefrock said that Robert Sapolsky wrote a very good essay, "The Trouble with Testosterone." It's about the psychological problems with excess testosterone. The patient being considered seems to be having this problem. Blood testosterone levels are also a poor indicator of actual testosterone use in the body, a left over residual.
|2=&nbsp;}}
{{sbs|1=Dr. Dickens said that a big problem with police forces is sometimes underground steroids.
|2=How is this relevant? The patient was prescribed testosterone; it was not stated that he was abusing it.}}
{{sbs|1=Dr. Proefrock said, I'm seeing the testosterone as the biggest problem.
|2=Unless Proefrock somehow knows that the CLL that the patient has is not the fast growing type, he is wrong.}}
{{sbs|1=Dr. [Cheryl] Kollin said, I would look at environmental stuff. Some lead toxicity.
|2=[[Lead]] does cause several health problems, but — surprise! — the patient's health problems are not among them.}}
{{sbs|1=Dr. Proefrock said yes, I have seen high lead in people who are long-term shooters.
|2=Is Proefrock referring to testosterone users as "shooters", implying that they're abusing the testosterone? This patient was prescribed the drug.}}
{{sbs|1=Dr. [Colleen] Huber said that she thinks CLL is one of the more challenging cancers to actually have some effect on; often there seems to be a well-entrenched, chronic, latent pathogen involved. His shingles, the zoster virus; this could be something addressed.
|2=Shingles was not mentioned as one of the patient's conditions. There is some evidence that the zoster virus that causes shingles (and chicken pox) is associated with increased risk of hematologic cancers generally, of which CLL is one.<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3593559/ The risk of a subsequent cancer diagnosis after herpes zoster infection: primary care database study] by S. J. Cotton et al. (2013) ''Br. J. Cancer.'' 108(3):721–726. doi:10.1038/bjc.2013.13.</ref>}}
{{sbs|1=Dr. Waters said, Sometimes stem cells are absent with Agent Orange, to which this patient has been exposed. Most of the people with that have neurodegenerative conditions. In many cases this is the case, even with no dioxin left in them. We do a fat biopsy to see what is going on.
|2=Again, we have another piece of information about the patient appear of out of thin air: in this case, past exposure to [[Agent Orange]]. [[TCDD]] is a human carcinogen that is found in Agent Orange, however it is not specifically known to cause CLL in humans.<ref>[https://publications.iarc.who.int/123 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-''para''-dioxin, 2,3,4,7,8-Pentachlorodibenzofuran, and 3,3′,4,4′,5-Pentachlorobiphenyl] International Agency for Research on Cancer, Monograph 100F.</ref>}}
{{sbs|1=Dr. Proefrock mentioned that food poisoning can lead to off the wall blood counts.
|2=Infections, such as food poisoning, will increase white blood cell counts. However, the patient was already diagnosed with leukemia, not diagnosed with food poisoning!}}

At the end of this discussion, we still have no idea about '''what''' condition the NMDs thought was important to treat. There were no clear explanations on '''why''' any of the proposed treatments would be useful. And, there was no consensus on '''how''' to treat the patient. One is left to wonder whether each naturopath had [[Golden hammer|their own pet treatment that they always recommended]], and just happened to be offered at their own clinic.

==Why do people see naturopaths instead of real doctors?==
According to Hermes, medical doctors have historically struggled with making people feel heard, particularly women and people of color. In contrast the naturopoathic experience tends more towards empathy and learning about how people feel. To overcome this, medical doctors need to have a good bedside manner, to make patients feel like they've been heard and that they have the ability to make choices based on the medical evidence and the tools available to them (e.g. pharmaceuticals or lifestyle changes).<ref>[http://bigpicturescience.org/segment/britt-hermes-science-convert Britt Hermes / Science Convert] (November 25, 2019 - 08:53) ''Big Picture Science''. Time 11:30 onward.</ref>

==How naturopathic medicine can work==
In some cases naturopathic medicine has an effect, because it is an unrefined [[Protoscience|proto-medicine]] such as [[List of medicinal plants#Willow|willow bark]] (unrefined aspirin) or [[List of medicinal plants#Foxglove|foxglove]] (unrefined digoxin). In many other cases, it works because of either [[regression to the mean]] (people naturally get better sometimes) or the [[placebo effect]]. It is known for example that some types of placebos are more effective than others.<ref name=kihlstrom>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2582657/ Placebo: Feeling Better, Getting Better, and the Problems of Mind and Body] by John F. Kihlstrom (2008) ''Mcgill J. Med. 11(2):212-214.</ref><ref>"The placebo response in pain reduction" by F. J. Evans (1974) ''Advances in Neurology'' pp. 289–296.</ref>
{{cquote|In the treatment of pain, for example, big, dark-colored, bad-tasting placebos are more effective than small, brightly colored, good tasting ones; placebos delivered intravenously are more effective than placebos delivered intramuscularly, which in turn are more effective than placebos delivered orally.}}
Expensive placebos are likely to be more effective than inexpensive ones.<ref name=kihlstrom/><ref>"Commercial features of placebo and therapeutic efficacy" by Rebecca L Waber et al. (2008) ''JAMA'' 299(9):1016-7. doi:10.1001/jama.299.9.1016.</ref>
So there are several ways that naturopaths are enhancing the placebo effect — counsciously or not — using non-[[Evidence-based medicine|evidence-based]] but possibly-effective [[logical fallacies]]:
*[[Appeal to ancient wisdom]] — This treatment has been used since ancient times, so it must work.
*[[Appeal to nature]] — Natural medicine is claimed to be better and/or less harmful.
*[[Argument from authority]] — That ancient book on [[Traditional Chinese medicine#Pre-modern history|herbal medicine]] says that this works.
*''[[Argumentum ad baculum]]'' — That [[dry needling]] hurts worse than [[acupuncture]]: it must work! That [[Paida lajin|slapping therapy]] hurts like fuckall: it must work!
*''[[Argumentum ad fastidium]]'' — This herbal medicine tastes awful (just like [[Evidence-based medicine|real medicine]]<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3772669/ The Bad Taste of Medicines: Overview of Basic Research on Bitter Taste] by Julie A. Mennella et al. (2013) '"Clin. Ther.'' 35(8):1225-1246. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2013.06.007.</ref>), so it must work.
*[[Sunk cost]] — This medicine costs a bomb: if it doesn't work I'll be out all that money and still be sick! Some supplements can be marked up an extraordinary 1600%+<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190609053627/https://thehealthmoderator.com/supplements-youre-buying-marked-1600-manufacturing-cost/ The supplements you're buying could be marked up 1,600% or more] (August 6, 2014) ''The Health Navigator'' (archived from June 9, 2019).</ref> — particularly galling for something that has an extremely long shelf-life.
Despite being fallacious, these aspects of naturopathy can be effective because the placebo effect is primarily [[psychological]], ''not'' [[Physiology|physiological]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160316033624/http://media.virbcdn.com/files/ff/c03c6083cbcfe099-2014MigrainePlacebo.pdf Placebo and Medication Effects in Episodic Migraine] by Slavenka Kam-Hansen et al. (2014) ''Science Translational Medicine'' 6:218ra5. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3006175.</ref><ref name=harvard>[https://www.health.harvard.edu/mental-health/the-power-of-the-placebo-effect The power of the placebo effect: Treating yourself with your mind is possible, but there is more to the placebo effect than positive thinking.] (Updated: August 9, 2019; Published: May, 2017) ''Harvard Men's Health Watch, Harvard Medical School''.</ref>
{{cquote|Placebos may make you feel better, but they will not cure you. They have been shown to be most effective for conditions like pain management, stress-related insomnia, and cancer treatment side effects like fatigue and nausea.|||Ted Kaptchuk<ref name=harvard/>}}

==See also==
*[[Fun:Nina The Naturopath]]
*[[Acupuncture]]
*[[Treat the cause, not the symptom]]
*[[Homeopathy]]
*[[Herbalism]]
*[[Michael Uzick]], an example of a licensed naturopath.
*[[Joseph Mercola]]
*[[Heilpraktiker]], the German state-approved profession

==External links==
*[http://natureworksbest.com/ Naturopathic Medical Doctors of Arizona, LLC] is an example of a naturopathic clinic.
*[http://www.naturowatch.org/ Naturowatch], the naturopathy-related arm of [[Quackwatch]]
*[http://www.naturopathicdiaries.com/ Naturopathic Diaries: Confessions of a Former Naturopath]
*[https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/what-naturopaths-say-to-each-other-when-they-think-no-ones-listening/ What naturopaths say to each other when they think no one’s listening], an article which shows, among other things, that at least some naturopaths have no qualms about treating patients with "chemicals" like hydrochloric acid
*[http://www.ncahf.org/articles/j-n/naturo.html National Council Against Health Fraud: Fact Sheet on Naturopathy]
*[http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/the-deceptive-rebranding-of-aspects-of-science-based-medicine-as-alternative-by-naturopaths-continues-apace/ The deceptive rebranding of aspects of science-based medicine as "alternative" by naturopaths continues apace], Harriet Hall
*[https://www.naturopathicdiaries.com/ Naturopathic Diaries: Confessions of a naturopathic doctor] by Britt Marie Hermes. Hermes left naturopathy and as of 2017 was a doctoral candidate in [[evolutionary biology]].
*[http://whatstheharm.net/naturopathy.html What's the harm in naturopathy?] — 200 people who were harmed by naturopathy
*[https://www.reddit.com/r/medicine/comments/2cm43z/read_what_naturopaths_say_to_one_another/ Read what naturopaths say to one another. Conclusion: manipulative, poorly trained, and a threat to public health] by naturowhat (''Reddit'')
*[https://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Naturopathy/naturopathy.html A Close Look at Naturopathy] by Stephen Barrett, ''[[Quackwatch]]''

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|2|90%}}

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[[Category:Alternative medicine]]
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Categories: Alternative medicine, Herbal medicine, Nature woo, Pseudoscience, Side-by-side articles