Naturopathic Medicine - inquiry from a skeptic

[doublevision1]

Does anyone here see a naturopathic doctor?  Since they don't graduate from accredited medical schools - or at least I don't think they do - how can they call themselves Doctor?

I am about as skeptical as can be; you know me, I'm quite fond of clinical studies and hard evidence when it comes to medicine, actually when it comes to just about everything in life.  But I know so many people who feel they have benefitted from naturopathic treatments, that it makes me think it's worth a shot.  Or, is believing in it from the get-go half the battle (placebo effect)?

I have no expectations WHATSOEVER that this would affect my disease course.  But, if it does offer me ideas of how to improve my overall health (which is actually quite good and nothing that a 20lb weight loss wouldn't cure) then perhaps it's worth a shot?


What does one gain from testing such as the following:
- Heavy Metal Testing
- Urinalysis for nutritional markers
- Hair tissue mineral analysis
- Evaluation of acid-base balance


I haven't seen much talk of this topic here...what are your thoughts?  This is directed at both the MS dx'ed and limbo'ers.

thanks!

db

[monotreme]

Kathy,  so sorry to hear about your apartment.  How scary.  Terrible.

Wonko, your post wasn't inappropriate.  I just believe that alternative approaches to care are ok if you research who you are going to for the care.

Elaine

[Fluffysmom]

My tremors sure put and end to my coffee consumption!  I think that Starbucks stock dropped!  Just kidding, I didn't go there that often.  I even had to give up tea, at least the kind with caffeine.

Congrats on changing a bunch of bad habits to good ones for your body!

Kathy

[wonko]

I share your concerns about poisoning, whether from an obvious source (like that incident in your apartment) or from sources we can't see, taste, or smell.  

Everyone needs to decide for themselves what lifestyle choices and professional care offer them the best future.  I know when my symptoms re-appeared a couple of months ago, it was out with the cigarettes and lots of other habits and foods.  I decided it was the least I could do for my body, which was sending me signals that something was wrong!


Monotreme, I hope you did not find my above post inappropriate.  I did hedge all of my remarks by admitting my ignorance in regards to naturopathic medicine.  My feet also love to jump in my mouth, and I tend to kid around too mcuh.  I do hold the view that some GP's underestimate the links between nutrition and health, and that perhaps popular culture in general is too quick to assume that taking a prescription pill is the best, if not only, option for treatment.  

Humbly,
~W

[Fluffysmom]

Wow, the country (or actually the world!) needs more people like that naturopath!

There were big headlines here in Portland a few months ago about the extremely high levels of benzene in the air, showing the worst neighborhoods, which included mine.  
My apartment is not far from where several freeways intersect, plus an industrial area.   Not to mention the hazardous waste disposal sight.

I don't take long walks through my neighborhood anymore (well, like I could anyway with my pain issues!).

I wonder if any studies have been done here about the health effects of those findings.  If I could find some energy, I would research it and become an advocate.

Last year my apartment was treated to a "willfully negligent" application of the pesticide Deltamethrin.  My cat was in the apartment at the time.  When I came home, I put my cat in his carrier, stormed down to the managers office, and demanded to know what had been used.  The ineffectual manager tried calling a few people, then told me it was probably boric acid and I could just vacuum it up.

I made her come up and see the mess that had been made of my home. My cat and I moved in with a friend.

I tried vacuuming it up the next day, wearing a mask, and before long my eyes and lips were burning and I was having trouble breathing and my heart was pounding wildly. I dropped the vacuum and fled.  My voice sounded like I was gargling gravel.

It took many months and many government agencies getting involved before my apartment was cleaned (twice, because they went cheap), and I got some compensation for my cabinets, vacuum,  cookware, etc. that were all destroyed by the poison, as well as my cat's visit to an internal medicine vet and a prescription to help get my breathing back to normal.

I still get headaches and irregular heartbeats when I stay in my apartment.  

I'm on this rambling rant because I think that more people need to consider what poisons are being tossed about daily (herbicides, pesticides, exhaust from leaf blowers, you name it) without a thought to the effects on peoples health.

I'll get off my soapbox now, and turn this post back over to it's regularly scheduled program.

:o)

Kathy

[monotreme]

Speaking of pollution, DE has a cancer epidemic.  A naturopath in our state noticed that a high number of her patients from a small area around a power plant had high levels of lead and mercury in their urine.  She also saw alot of cancer from the same several mile radius.

She petitioned the state to make the cancer clusters in our state available to the public.  She also was the driving force in having the state further study emissions from the plant and the utility company has agreed to investigate emission reduction options.  It's a start anyway.

Elaine

[Fluffysmom]

This is a good topic.

I have considered going to a naturopath, because I got very tired of being told to take some pills or some shots to deal with my pain, without anyone really looking for causes outside the obvious, and slapping me with "fibromyalgia" years before I discovered through determination that old injuries and degeneration were causing a lot of issues.

Considering all the pollution we are exposed to in this day and age, I would think that heavy metal testing would be valuable.  A lot of people do not eat a healthy diet.  I've never heard of checking for nutritional markers in urine, but it does make some sense to me.  

I know from watching CSI ( :o)) that hair holds many clues about what has been going on in the body; drug use, poisoning, malnutrition, etc.  

I have an Ayurvedic (sp?) cookbook that mentions the acid and alkaline balance in the body (plus a lot of other stuff I can't remember right now), so this has been a part of medicine for many centuries.

There is so much to learn beyond the normal evidence-based medicine that it just boggles the mind.  Not that regular medicine isn't mind-boggleing enough!

Unfortunately, insurance doesn't usually (ever?) cover naturopaths.

My two cents,

Kathy  

[monotreme]

Naturopathic Doctors do have a Ph.D.  That is why they legally call themselves  "doctor".  Now if you want to talk about people who casually use the word "doctor" you can look at optometrists and chiropractors.  That is where the nonsense comes in IMHO.

   I have looked into becoming a naturopath and it is alot of work.  Many courses, practicum hours, and you must work with a naturopath and get qualified to treat patients.   There is a famous naturopath here in DE named Alan Tillotson.  He has several patents on supplements, He speaks worldwide at conferences and has even spoken at medical conferences to M.D.'s.   He is very well respected and doctors here recommend him to their cancer and Multiple Sclerosis patients.

   Of course, family practice docs CAN order those above mentioned tests, but they usually DON'T.   In fact, I spoke to one person with MS today and the relative of a MS patient last Sunday whose neuros refuse to even order a vitamin D blood level.

  Naturopaths offer an alternative route to care.  There is nothing wrong with getting tested for micronutrients, which, by the way, average family practice docs don't even know a thing about.  But they will be happy to take care of you when you are sick!!!!

  Craig has a Ph.D in chemical engineering, a MBA and is an attorney.  However, he has never used "Dr." or  "ESQ".  He just goes by Mr.  

  Elaine

[wonko]

I think this is a great post!  Here's my two cents:

"Naturopathic medicine" is not a term I've heard of before, and I think your skepticism may be valid!

I think your GP could check your blood and urine, and you could trust them to do so.  So, I don't see a need for this naturopathic doctor to do this?  The 3rd and 4th tests sound a little funny to me, but I may just not know better!

I think EVERYONE, self included, likes to downplay the connection between diet, disease, and disease course.  Being near a healthy weight is great, and you're way closer than me!  Good for you.  Still, I think ppl of any size/age/health can benefit their health by taking a closer look at their diet.

Dietitians and nutritionists need at least a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, foods and nutrition.  Seeing either of these professionals may be an alternative you'd like to consider.

Potentially off topic and/or controversial, you may want to look up "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease" by C.B. Esselstyn, M.D., and/or "The China Study" by T.C. Campbell, Ph.D.  Both are well documented and contain research findings from peer-reviewed scientific literature.

As for if naturopathic doctors can call themselves doctor?  Haha, I have no idea what level of training they have, but I'd surely check that out!  I have a Ph.D., but let it slide if I'm called "Ms."

Looking forward to other responses on this one!