The
Licensing Issue
Why license traditional Naturopathic Practitioners
at all? Haven't Traditional Naturopaths been teaching
wellness for many, many years without licensure? Well, there
are two main "drivers" for such licensure among the states considering
it.
One,
an organization, founded and primarily composed of one group of
so-called "Naturopathic Physicians" have been attempting to "stir up"
U.S. state legislatures with "dire warnings" of the practices of
"unlicensed health practitioners." They cite examples of
so-called "Naturopaths" that have recommended that individuals go off
their insulin, or other medications, with, of course, tragic
consequences. They incite fear and use the good will of men
and women in positions of influence in state governments to "drum up"
the call for licensure. The second reason stipulated as a
driver for licensure is to “control” the practice
of Naturopathy because the advocates of licensure liken Naturopathy to
Medical Practice. Which, by definition, Naturopathy IS NOT!
But
what is the real reason the these so-called “Naturopathic
Physicians” are doing this? In this author's
opinion it is to "co-opt" the term "Naturopath," "ND," and
"Naturopathic" as their own... to the exclusion of classical, and
traditional definitions of Naturopathy. This group, led by an
organization called the "AANP" (American Association of Naturopathic
Physicians) go from state to state, and, in so many words, say that THEY are, in fact,
the only TRUE
Naturopaths, and that THEY
are the ones that should define what Naturopathy is. This has
led many states to acquiesce to their demands and one-sided
proclamations and pass laws that, in effect, "shut out" the Classical
Naturopath from using the term "Naturopath," or "ND," when referring to
themselves. In effect, if one didn't go to the AANP's
"approved school list," then one can't use the term "ND!"
First,
let's examine some definitions. A "Naturopath" is
historically simply a teacher of wellness, that by traditional
definition DOES NOT
use surgery, drugs, or other harsh, or invasive methodology in their
consulting. In fact, the acknowledged founder of American
Naturopathy, Dr. Benedict Lust, told Naturopaths, "Remember:
Naturopaths are Doctors - minus Materia Medica and
Surgery". The "materia medica" Dr. Lust was
referring to was prescription drugs. The AANP, and those of
their ilk, have attempted to re-define Naturopathy to be a "poor man's
medicine" INCLUDING
the use of surgery and prescribing drugs! If one wants to be
an Allopathic Doctor (MD), then they should go to medical school and
get an MD! It is folly to re-define the traditional, classic
Naturopathic practices to include that which was never a part of the
practice to begin with! They have begun calling themselves
"NMDs" or Naturopathic Medical Doctors, and they wear white lab coats
to help foster the notion that they are "medical men and
women." And they are attempting to re-define a traditional
practice of teaching wellness, and are, at the same time, "cutting out
the competition," if you will, in one fell swoop!
Unfortunately,
on the surface, this plan to "steal" the term "Naturopathy" appears to
be working! The Traditional Naturopath is a simple teacher of
health practices and wellness, they are not organized and backed by
large organization that are lobbying state legislatures... and they are
being overrun!
The AANP even has a special web site that lists how to approach state
legislatures, gives "talking points" to introduce licensing (favorably)
to them, and then proceeds to "educate" their people about getting a
state to invoke licensure!
Have
there been extremes and bad advice given by so-called "Naturopaths"
that has been a detriment to individuals in the past? Yes, of
course. There are "bad apples" in any profession, and there
are laws in place to deal with such problems. My heart (and
prayers) go out to anyone that has received bad health information or
counsel. However, the vast majority of Traditional
Naturopaths would NEVER
counsel anyone to go off their medicines or go against a doctor's
advice! The common statement heard by reputable Naturopaths
is to "check with your doctor about any recommendations made or
supplements suggested." Our tradition is non-evasive and is
guided by the simple admonition of Hippocrates, "Above all, do no
harm." This, from a man who was himself a true
Naturopath. One that recommended nutritional therapies such
as herbs to remedy conditions of sub-health.
Now,
let's consider the question of using the term "ND." An "ND"
is one that has entered a field of study and earned a doctorate in the
field of Traditional Naturopathy. The AANP would assert that
only their short list of "approved schools" (approved only by this one
group) can award an "ND." They have even set up their OWN
accrediting organization to this end, the CNME. In this way,
they are an "authority" unto themselves! This is the
equivalent of, say, North Carolina State University suddenly declaring,
"Only our BAs (Bachelor of Arts) are real degrees! Any other
school is a sham!" If I had received a BA degree from the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill... would I still have a
"real" BA? (Of course I would!) What if NC State
petitioned the NC Legislature to legally bar the use of the term "BA"
by University of NC at Chapel Hill alumni? Oh, there would be
a hew and cry! But in fact, simply because people such as the
AANP have made an effort and have the financial backing that
allow them to co-op the term "ND" to be theirs and theirs alone, and
have misled well meaning legislators to support these efforts... they
have helped pass laws that bar other legitimate school's alumni from
even using the term "ND" after their name, they have effectively
"closed out" anyone that would claim an "ND" and practice Classical
Naturopathy! This is a shame, and is a sad turn of events!
I,
personally, am one of those that have studied Traditional Naturopathy
and reject the idea that a Naturopath would EVER perform
surgery, or prescribe medication. I have earned my Doctorate
in Naturopathy from the Trinity College of Natural Health (not one of
the AANP's so-called "approved schools.") I also
have a Ph.D. in Theology, and I am a Certified Natural Health
Professional. I am also a Board Certified Traditional
Naturopath, certified by the American
Naturopathic Certification Board. However, if the law pending in North
Carolina is passed, I will be LEGALLY
UNABLE to use the degree I have worked so hard to
earn! By "use," I mean I will be unable to use "ND" on a
business card... and I am not even clear if I will be able to hang the
degree on the wall of my home! This, in my opinion, is a
tragic injustice to those of us who are studying the true,
non-invasive, non-medical Traditional Naturopathy!
For more information, here is a link to a VERY enlightening
article concerning the truth behind the licensing issue, written by
Consumer Health Advocate Tim Bolen (ARTICLE)
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