Jul 2010
Top 10 things to know before you're 30
30/Jul/10 02:19 PM Filed in: Philosophy
Great quote #17
22/Jul/10 09:43 PM Filed in: Quotes
“Cease trying to work everything out with your minds, it will get you nowhere. Live by intuition and inspiration and let your whole life be a Revelation.” Eileen Caddy
The Story of Stuff
13/Jul/10 06:30 PM Filed in: Philosophy
This video has been around since 2007 and is still relevant! Every time I watch it I am still disgusted with how disposable our “stuff” has become. It is hard to change the quality/disposability of the things we buy (cell phones, iPods, computers, appliances) but we can definitely disconnect from the “newer is better” mindset and make use of these things longer and recycle as much as possible.
Alternative medicine debate on the Michael Coren show
07/Jul/10 10:14 PM Filed in: Conventional medicine | Natural medicine
by Kate Whimster, BCom, MIFHI, ND
Check out this debate on the Michael Coren show about “Alternative Medicine.” Incidentally, I prefer the term natural medicine (versus conventional medicine), since for many people, there is nothing “alternative” about it...
A few of my thoughts (in chronological order with the video):
Check out this debate on the Michael Coren show about “Alternative Medicine.” Incidentally, I prefer the term natural medicine (versus conventional medicine), since for many people, there is nothing “alternative” about it...
A few of my thoughts (in chronological order with the video):
- What do NDs do that MDs don’t? A lot! See my blog Top ten reasons you need a naturopathic doctor.
- For a comparison of the training of an MD versus and ND, see my blog Curriculum comparison.
- There is research on homeopathy and evidence to support its efficacy as a healing modality. Just because most people are ignorant of this does not mean it doesn’t exist! For more about that, see my blog Homeopathy literature review.
- Many conventional medical interventions actually lack research evidence. I wrote about this in my blog Mythology of science-based medicine.
- I’m not a chiropractor and cannot speak to much in this area, however one example of when a chiropractor may require an x-ray is not to diagnose, but to screen for/rule out any conditions that are contraindications for chiropractic treatment. This is a basic safety procedure which is prudent and responsible. Another example may be to confirm a diagnosis before proceeding with treatment, which is another valid and reasonable use of such technology.
- One of the major problems in conventional medicine is the idea of “standard of care” which denies individuals care that targets the cause of illness, which may be different for the same “disease.” The “standard of care” in conventional medicine is often inferior to even the most basic common sense... For example, if high cholesterol is caused by poor dietary habits and lack of physical activity, how does the “standard of care” prescription of statin drugs solve these issues?
- Michael Coren makes a great point that many of the cases against alternative medicine are “hysteria.” In any profession, there are practitioners who are not ethical or safe. Naturopathic medicine is a regulated health profession in most provinces and therefore naturopathic doctors are held to a professional standard of safety and ethics. For more info on naturopathic medicine, read more on my Naturopathic Medicine and FAQ pages. This marks a major difference between NDs and many other “alternative” practitioners.
- Why aren’t naturopathic doctors MDs? Because there is a fundamental philosophical difference. This is not to say that we can’t work together and that patients cannot take advantage of both, but the training and approach to treatment are vastly different. Specialization leads to greater and deeper expertise in all kinds of professions which provides value to the consumer.
