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 MS TOOLKIT - The Patient's & Caregivers' Guide to Multiple Sclerosis
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Magician Prescriptions: Ontario Poised to Let Naturopaths Prescribe
Naturopaths shun vaccine, says
Why did Laura Margaritis, a Hamilton, Ontario naturopath tell the Hamilton Spectator that she believes that people should not let their children get the H1N1 vaccine? | |||
Dr. Paul Offit's amazing new book about the history of the anti-vaccine movement and the international brigade of corrupt researchers, ambulance chasing lawyers, politicians and advocacy groups who helped manipulate the parents of those children who were autistic. The anti-vaccine movement has caused significant harm to public health efforts around the world. The publication of this book may signal the beginning of the end to their position. Time will tell whether or not this will stop their insanity and manipulation of science.
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Most Canadian Provinces, and most U.S. States have absolutely no regulation over naturopathic practitioners. Even when there are laws or regulations in place, most of these clinics are unsupervised. If these were medical clinics that operated this way, they would either lose their funding, or be out of business in a hurry. Naturopathic clinics for the most part use bogus screening tests, dubious "natural medical" devices, unproved laboratory tests, and non-standard treatments for serious conditions, like cancer.
The main problem is not whether people are just wasting their money on alleged preventative health care, the "natural way", the crux of the matter is that patients are regularly lured into these clinics to pursue aggressive, non-therapeutic, possibly toxic interventions that are not regulated under any laws. They are taking their lives into their hands, and may have no protection under the law.
To trust any naturopathic regulatory college in Canada to review web sites for health claims, or to inspect their members' clinics is a serious mistake. Regulators have proved time and time again that they are basically either not interested in doing their job, or are damn incompetent. Laws are meant to protect the public from maltreatment, or abuse, and unless a naturopath kills or molests someone their practices are basically ignored. In those Provinces where naturopathic "associations", not "colleges", are at the top of the heap, there is no protection for the public.
In an attempt to pursue this serious breech of trust, HealthWatcher.net has a pet project and we would like you to help. Following the resources below, if any of you have had cancer, and have been treated by Canadian based naturopaths (or even people who claim to be naturopaths).
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Trick or Treatment:
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Did you know that you can become a naturopathic doctor in 18 months, studying from home via correspondence, and that naturopaths have an average C+ GPA in high school. They're not exactly the cream of the intellectual crop.
Note to self... naturopathic doctors are not actually doctors.
| Margaret Prange, NDOn August 18, 2007 this advertisement appeared on page A2 of The Record in Kitchener, Ontario. In my opinion, and of those in the pediatric community in our area, this ad goes way over the top. There is absolutely zero reliability for hair analysis for lead levels in infants and toddlers. When Prange, a naturopath, placed this ad it was right after the lead scare in Mattel toys. The links below are a great resource for those who need factual information about hair analysis screening. |
Naturopathic Tragedies
In his opening address in the NSW Supreme Court today, prosecutor Paul Leask told the jury that Vecko Krsteski, 37, had agreed to pay naturopath Jeffrey Dummett $3000 for a live-in detoxification program.
On February 13, 2002, Mr Krsteski moved into a granny flat attached to Mr Dummett's premises at Oatley in Sydney's south.
By February 23 he had lost 11kg and two days later he was found dead of a heart attack in the flat.
Mr Dummett, 39, has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.
Mr Leask said Mr Dummett had been "grossly negligent" in his treatment of Mr Krsteski and breached his duty of care to him.
"The crown case is the accused filled Vecko with false hope for profit," he said.
John Doris, counsel for Mr Dummett, told the jury a post-mortem examination revealed Mr Krsteski had a previously unknown severe heart disease.
The trial continues.
Mr Dummett, who advertised on a website called Findacure.com and in alternative lifestyle magazines and at shopping centre booths, was prosecuted in 2002 for several breaches of the Fair Trading Act in relation to making false claims. He was ordered to pay $33,950 in fines and costs.
John E Curran - fake ND and MD
The Victim
Dead from malnutrition and pneumonia is Lorie Atikian. Eight months before her death on September 25, 1987, Lorie was a perfectly healthy baby. When she died she was nearly bald, covered with deep red rashes, and so emaciated that the paramedics thought they were being tricked by being given a doll to treat.
Jeffrey Dummett charged in death of Australian man
This case has been dragging on since 2002. What in the world has taken the courts in Australia so long to finish this quack's prosecution?
John Curran fake ND and MD sentenced to 150 months
It obviously doesn't take much to set up a holistic medical center in the U.S. nowadays. And it doesn't take much time or energy to find others to help you scam the public with fake certifications and membership. The funny thing about John E. Curran's practice at the Northeastern Institute for Advanced Natural Healing in Providence, Rhode Island is how in the hell he was able to procure laboratory equipment, and convince other professional suppliers that he was for real.
"Doctor who planned 'Cancer Cell Terminator' ordered to quit practice
Brian O'Connell sentenced in manslaughter death in Colorado
By Sue Lindsay, Rocky Mountain News
Daily Telegraph - Australia - Feb. 14, 2004
NATALIE WILLIAMS
A SUPREME Court Judge has warned the state's naturopaths they will face the full weight of the law if their use of alternative medicines leads to patient tragedy.
Stephen Barrett, M.D.
112 Adelaide Street East Toronto, Ontario M5C 1K9 TEL: 416 866 8383 FAX: 416 866 2175 Toll-free: 1-877-361-1925 (in Ontario)In reality this group is not regulated under Ontario's present RHPA (Regulated Health Professions Act). In addition they are not part of HPRAC (Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council). Instead their profession is regulated under their own Bloodless Practitioners Act - Naturopathy. This basically insulates the naturopaths who claim to be registered from any and all actions, or sanctions that could be imposed on any of their members by HPRAC or the RHPA. That allows them to do almost anything, say almost anything, and hide behind the BDDT-N.
The Board's web site had this to say about the potential to bring them under the RHPA prior to the last election.
The legislation that enabled naturopaths to claim official status, outside of the regulated health professions came from the early part of the 20th Century. Many of those who officially call themselves naturopathic doctors in Ontario have demonstrated a lack of concern about how they practice. They use bogus methods of diagnosis, treat patients with unproved invasive techniques, and make false claims for their treatments.
Because of the real lack of effective regulation and oversite by the former BDDT-N many in the government of Ontario felt that is was imperative to call for a complete overhaul of the old system. The result was the introduction of Bill 171, Health System Improvements Act, 2007.
Complete Bill in Adobe .pdf format: Go to page 13 to see the naturopathy section.
The Board of Naturopathic Medicine, the name that they now want to known as, lauded this Act in a press release on June 5, 2007.
In the submissions made to the legislature even the CPSO (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) supported it with some caveats.
The OAND (Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors) issued this press release. Some naturopathic doctors have what they call in Ontario "dual designation". What that means is that naturopaths can also be registered as chiropractors, dentists, why even medical doctors should they choose to finish their education in a recognized health profession. What generally happens in Ontario is that chiropractors who seem to be unhappy with their chosen profession decide to attend a naturopathic school and then sit for their exams. They utilize chiropractic techniques when they choose, and just put on another hat when they use naturopathic techniques.
Some or these naturopathic techniques include invasive and unproved medical procedures like intravenous chelation therapy. The Ontario Board states that certain invasive procedures are not approved, and these include chelation therapy using EDTA, DMSO or DMPS, hydrogen peroxide, ultra violet or neural therapy. The problem is that this ban which has been in effect since December 2003 does not appear to be working. It is easy to locate naturopaths who have set up holistic clinics to treat seriously ill patients who use one or more of these procedures on the internet. In other Provinces it is even a worse situation.
In the matter of "dual designation", the big confusion is that whenever a patient or their family decides to file a complaint against a particular naturopath who is also a chiropractor, the CCO usually says that the chiropractor is really a naturopath, and begs off any complaint. The BDDT-N generally ignores most complaints about any naturopath of course when it comes to unapproved therapies, even though it would be clearly be a violation of their policies. This leaves the grieving relatives or the injured party without any effective recourse. It would then be up to a malpractice lawyer, assuming that the naturopath has obtained coverage from some company that would defend them in court.
The naturopathic situation in Ontario, as if it isn't bad enough, is particularly confusing because there are a significant number of fake naturopaths who have set up shop around the Province. Some of them go by the name "natural medicine doctor", or even use the designation ND which of course they have earned from an on-line diploma mill. These people are not only quacks, they are probably criminals, too. The BDDT-N has a vested interest to promote their own, and when reports have been filed that there are fake naturopaths, they are basically powerless, or have no resources to clear this up.
Despite the fact that the State of Florida has universities that would train naturopaths, they will not be able to be licensed in their own State. Here are some of their conclusions
As with chiropractic and acupuncture, the scope of practice for naturopathy varies widely by state. For example, naturopaths with appropriate specialty training can assist in childbirth in Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Utah in some states, they can practice acupuncture.
Intraprofessional disputes include objections to licensure requirements by individuals who use the title of naturopath but who have little (or no) training, particularly in states lacking naturopathic licensure, and whether to actively recommend standard immunization procedures Although naturopaths are not required to obtain postgraduate (that is, residency) training or supervision, they are described as primary caregivers in some of their licensing statutes and are seen as health care providers of first contact by many patients.
Conclusion
This is the first article in a mainstream medical journal that critically
summarizes the field of "naturopathic medicine." If physicians continue
to consider naturopaths and other "alternative" practitioners as
inconsequential -- or, if the only articles on CAM that most physicians
read are uncritical -- pseudoscience will continue to make inroads into
patient care and health policy. The information presented herein
illustrates why official sanctioning of naturopaths as health care
providers, including their appointments to the MCAC, should be
considered unwise.
Dr. Barrett adds, "I believe that the average naturopath is a muddlehead who combines commonsense health and nutrition measures and rational use of a few herbs with a huge variety of unscientific practices and anti-medical double-talk."
Naturopathy is based upon a belief in the body's innate God-given natural ability to heal itself when given an appropriate internal and externalhealing environment. Naturopaths are not involved in the practice of medicine and do not use drugs or pharmaceuticals, nor do they perform abortions or surgery (other than minor first aid). They have traditionally been referred to as "drugless doctors." In reality, naturopathy deals with wellness and relief from conditions which are the result of stress whether from mental, nutritional, environmental or physical factors.
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On January 22, 2008 the Complaints Review Committee of the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy - Naturopathy of Ontario sent me a letter in regards to disciplinary proceedings that will be taken against Prytula. The funny thing about this is that the actions actually place June 5, 2007. That's over six months ago. So why did they finally decided to proceed against Michael Prytula for his use of, promotion of, and making false or unproved claims about the use of EDTA for chelation therapy. Since there had been other complaints on file about his use of unapproved substances the Board will this will be added to the disciplinary process that was already underway.
In addition, his use of testimonials on his web site is not allowed and the Board will issue a written caution to him. They decided that the Christian content on his web site where he warns people not to adopt alternate religious or spiritual practices is not an item that they can deal with. They claim that he has the right to say whatever he wants because it is guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom to have a Christian content on his web site. [Nowhere in this Act does it state that, but they didn't want to go there.]
The Board however, decided to issue a warning to him and the stated:
At NaturoMedic.com we use a number of natural treatment therapies in a unique way. We believe that your body has its own inherent healing mechanisms that function very effectively when properly supported. Our major focus is to isolate factors that inhibit these healing mechanisms. Factors needing to be isolated include: stress, diet, hormones, emotions, inadequate internal organ functioning, structural damage, weather, viruses, bacteria and other micro-organisms, chemicals, allergens (food & environmental), vitamin & mineral deficiencies, geopathic stress, enzyme deficiency & lifestyle. In order to isolate these factors we utilize naturopathic medication (Homeopathic, Chinese and Western Botanical) and prescribe various therapies from dietary cleansing to fasting, bio-oxidative therapy, IV therapies* (including ozone, hydrogen peroxide, vitamin/mineral, and chelation), stress management, acupressure, NAET, NET and lifestyle management.
* only available to members of The Naturopathic Healing Therapies Association (NHTA)- www.NaturoMedic.com
Chelation has been used in the treatment of the following; Atherosclerosis (blocked blood vessels) Cardiovascular disease Coronary artery disease (blocked arteries in the heart) Stroke Senile dementia and Alzheimer's Autism Autistic Spectrum Disorders Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Early gangrene Essential hypertension (high blood pressure) Peripheral vascular occlusive disease (decrease blood circulation in the extremities - especially the legs, as with diabetic patients) Osteoarthritis Fibromyalgia Multiple sclerosis Diabetes Some cases of Parkinson's disease
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He's treated 5,000 cancer patients using such unproved techniques such as "far infrared heat therapy". He says this about it:
(Almost the entire English language Careseng.com web site was recently taken down in late February 2004. This included a photo of the front of a building that they claim was the Careseng Cancer Centre and Institute in Richmond, B.C. We think that they removed it, not for "reconstruction", but because they got wind that there was an investigation into the promotion and claims made for the product in Canada. Some archives are available from their site. Click here for more of the story.
The tests and/or procedures in RED below are either questionable, or are a fine example of consumer health fraud. Those that are in GREEN are overpriced. Those that are in BLUE are not specified.
In particular they are wrong on Vitamin-C and the common cold. Their suggestion that you should megadose when you get a cold is preposterous. They are totally irresponsible, especially their links to two anti-vaccine web sites and books. Rogers Media and its publisher needs a shot in the arm, and they should should issue a public apology. The next best thing would be for readers to contact the Board of Directors of Bloodless Therapy - Naturopathy and file a complaint below. The flu epidemic was averted last year because of the Ontario government's free flu shot campaign. That saved the government hundreds of millions of dollars. If McLaren's column had appeared then, what would it have cost us all?
He's been on the talk show circuit for years and has in the past joined dozens of other CAM proponents at the Whole Life Expo in Toronto to sell Canadians on the idea that we are all somehow deficient in herbal capsules, and tinctures. A recent advertising blitz in Canadian newspapers actually solicited patients for his practice, and made unsubstantiated claims for an "anti-flu" and anti-viral" elixir made from Vitamin-C, echinacea, and elderberry. Wikenheiser joined other headliners and vendors, some of whom support the wild ideas flogged by Hulda Clark, vendors of radionics machines, anti-amalgam folks, and doctors who have had their medical license stripped by the Province of Ontario. Is naturopathy's attempt to join the mainstream really helped by this three ringed circus? This is a description of David's c.v. that appeared on a AIMS web site.
However, on Kitchener, Ontario's CKGL AM-570 broadcast on August 10, 2000, he shook the very foundations of science by either omitting facts, or bending the very essence of knowledge when asked basic questions by the host and by callers: He didn't mention that he is one of the speakers who is hawked on the TalkInternational web site in Toronto. That web site has recently come under fire because it has contributed to the spread of propaganda, and misinformation about allopathic medical doctors. TalkInternatioal.com says that they represents David Icke, a notorious anti-semitic crackpot, and also Len Horowitz, a conspiracy buff who wants to see all children run around the world without their immunizations. The rest of their posse of renegade fundamentalist quacks and politically right-wing folk reads like a Who's Who. Some of them don't want the government in anyone's face, even if that might mean violence and civil disobedience. This is hardly a group that would lend itself to support science, or even naturopathy. I can assume that none of them are "board certified" in anything, except of course Horowitz. But, on talk radio in Canada they are welcome with open arms and applause. She lives in Owen Sound, Ontario, in the Bruce-Grey county area. You might remember the Walkerton She has plenty of testimonials to go around - the trouble is, most of them are from students from CCNM. Her Immune Power formula contains pau d'arco a potentially toxic herb. Here is a quote from the book "Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines" by Fetrow and Avila. I consider this the best book on herbal medicine dangers. David Bonter uses these initials after his name - C.N.E. and he says he is an Allergy Specialist. Well David, why don't you go down to College St. and strut your stuff a the offices of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. I am sure that they might have a position for you. You are not a doctor, you don't seem to be a naturopath, at least not on your web site. The electodermal method of treating anyone of any age is totally and complete bogus, fraudulent, and to top it all off, you treat and diagnose disease, all without a license. How and why do insurance companies cover your services? Natalie Bonter says that she is a naturopath and uses the designation N.D. We don't know if she graduated from CCNM in Toronto. We somehow can't find it anywhere on her site, even on her own biographical site. The fees for a pediatric visit rival the amount that OHIP would pay a FRCP(C) pediatric visit, or about four times the amount one would bill for a routine well-baby visit to your family doctor. Mind you, that a certified pediatrician has 8 years of school before they even become eligible to actually call themselves a real doctor. Then they would have to go through four or more years to call themselves a pediatrician. It would seem that the naturopathic professiona skips over most of that, but still charges more than an M.D. If you really want to grab on to your wallet, just imagine having to take out a cool $22 every time junior has a hiccup, and you have to report in to the office for a phone consult. And, don't forget, they can check your little rug rat out by using an unproved and unregulated device and they only charge you from $50-$150 for that privelege. Plus, don't pass up that Vitamin B-12 shot for your infant or toddler. The bottom line would appear to be that the fee schedule is based on your ability to pay. The more neurotic you are, the more you will pay. There is no science in the use of EAV metres, there no indication for a B-12 shot in infancy or childhood, there is no reason to have a blood type done. Why does this type of clinic thrive? Because the public doesn't know what it's all about. The government doesn't care, the regulators don't care. What we have here folks is a gold mine. They test for non-existent allergies or sensitivites with electrodermal testing devices, then they sell you the stuff to "cure" your deficiency, or to purge your system of some mysterious toxin or maybe even a yet to be discovered parasite. All of this they say may be billable under your supplemental insurance. Well, what if YOUR insurance company knew that unnecessary procedures were being done and billed as if a licensed naturopath were doing them. And what, by the way would the billing code actually read? Would you like to pay hundreds of dollars to any office that operates in this manner? Certainly if this was medical office, there would be guidelines that they would have to follow. Do Naturopaths have codes of ethics? Do they have restrictions on their licenses? Ask them, why don't you. Would you be surprised if your insurance plan would pay for the following unproven diagnostic tests?: (Ask Mark Percival what he means by doctors. Who regulates his employees, who trains them, and why should you go to their clinic, especially if you belong to the Type-A blood group?) Want to spend $249.95 to learn about your digestive system? "70% or more of your immune system is focused on your digestive and elimination system...areyou ready to lend it a helping hand? Even subtle intestinal dysfunction and hidden food" If that's not quite what you expected from your chiropractor or naturopath, you can spend hundreds of dollars on supplements, books, tapes per month until you feel better. Then again you could to to Pizza Hut and order the 6 cheese special and live just as long, couldn't you? Maybe it's safer than getting your neck manipulated, then again, maybe not?
Naturopathic University in Hamilton?
Little or no regulationWhat do Provincial governments intend to do with quacks and charlatans who also happen to hold a license in a regulated profession?The government of Ontario has regulated the practice of naturopathy since 1925, when the legislature enabled the passage of Ontario the Drugless Practitioners Act. It wasn't until the later part of this century that there have been any substantial changes in the Act.The Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1990 Chapter D.18 is the present Act today. The Ontario Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (HPRAC) actually sent a report to the Minister of Health in August 1996, and there it sits today, with not a single bit of legislation underway, or even being considered to update the Act. It seems that Elizabeth Witmer has more important things to consider, than to address the alternative health care situation in Ontario. Naturopaths are indeed supposed to be regulated by their own body, separate from the other regulated health professionals. They may be reached at: President - Angela Moore, ND 112 Adelaide St. E., Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1K9 Tel: 416-866-8383 Fax: 416-866-2175 E-mail: ndboard@passport.ca British Columbia, one of the few Provinces that regulates naturopaths, presented a detailed Legislative Review in February 1998 that made the following recommendations: Residents of British Columbia are protected from errant naturopaths by the The College of Naturopathic Physicians of B.C. Naturopathic schools
Naturopathic lawsuits
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) Graduates
Naturopathic Research
Naturopathic lobbying groupsNaturopathic critics
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What is organized medicine doing about it?
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If you have a story to tell about a quack doctor or therapist in your area, please let us know. |
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