Will the True ND
Prevail?
It
is my fervent hope that the true, Traditional Naturopath will be
allowed to continue to help people develop optimal personal health
throughout the entire United States of America! However, this personal
health choice and freedom will only be available if
we stand up
and are counted! We need to educate our state representatives in each
state to the issue confronting us... that of forced licensing. With
forces such as the AANP trying to legislature their own "brand" of
Naturopathy (with drugs and surgery) as the "new standard," as opposed
to the traditional, classical Naturopathic standard, our work is "cut
out for us!" They are well organized, well funded, and have a
vested interest in making their voice the ONLY voice in the Natural
Health field! If I were a state legislator,
personally, I would
want to help the Allopathic Medical Profession stay separate and
distinct from those of us that simply want to teach natural health
practices to clients that only want guidance in maintaining optimal
health! I would want to keep the Traditional Naturopath FREE
of requirements to embrace a practice NOT truly
their own (that of prescribing drugs and performing surgeries!)
I have many personal examples of cooperative work with the medical
profession. My own son was diagnosed with severe plantar warts that the
podiatrist said would require either "freezing" of the tissue (which we
were told would be very painful,) to minor surgery to "cut out" the
warts! As our son was only nine years old at the time; I did not relish
the thought of subjecting him to such treatment, and possible
"coloring" his view of the medical arts! So, in the two weeks
intervening between doctor's appointments, we used a simple,
non-invasive orthomolecular treatment that I had learned during my
Naturopathic training... my wife and I applied simple
(non-prescription) Vitamin A in 10,000 I.U. capsules directly to the
warts as a topical rub. We did this by breaking open two 10,000 I.U.
gelatin capsules and rubbing the contents on the warts. At the end of
the two weeks, when we took him to the doctor, the warts were gone! No
pain... no surgery, or "freezing" treatments required. The doctor was
pleased, we were pleased, and my son was relieved that no further
treatment was required as well (as you can imagine!) This is but a
simple example of the benefits of Naturopathic knowledge combined with
the medical profession in a synergistic fashion!
Traditional Naturopaths like myself should be allowed to share this
kind of beneficial knowledge with those that seek out such information
unimpeded by requirements of law to be licensed (yet, of course,
honoring existing laws!) We should NOT be required to go to schools
that teach contrary to Traditional Naturopathy (such as AANP
"certified" schools that teach surgery and prescribing drugs) to earn
and use an "ND" degree. Personally, I have no interest in an "NMD"
degree (Naturopathic Medical Doctor,) as I find that somewhat
contradictory to Traditional Naturopathic teaching! A doctorate in
Naturopathy should be simply a degree that qualifies one to teach
Naturopathic principles, not to "operate" or "prescribe," or
"practice." That is the venue of Allopathic (western medical)
practitioners. I suppose if an existing "MD" wanted to learn
and
practice Naturopathy, then an "NMD" might be warranted.
What can YOU
do to help educate your legislators and others interested in these
issues? Here is a simple list that should provide a few answers:
-
Contact
your legislative representatives in
your state (particularly in states like NC and CA that are attempting
to pass these laws that are requiring licensure of
Naturopaths,
and share this web site's URL (web address) with them. Encourage them
to read the information presented here with an open mind. The Internet
address of this site is:
http://www.classicalnaturopathy.org
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/sessions/2007/bills/house/html/h969v1.html
-
Also there is a Senate Bill that
you should also help defeat: NC Senate Bill 1080,
which is the same, essentially, as the House Bill. Here is a
link to that bill:
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/sessions/2007/bills/senate/html/s1080v1.html
http://www.traditionalnaturopath.com/?p=204
Together we CAN make a
difference in seeing that Traditional (TRUE)
Naturopathy remains free in our great nation!
-
Dr. Bill Bailey, Ph.D., MH, ND, CNHP
E-mail: drbill@healingpathways.com
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