Scope of Practice
January 24, 2005
Ms. Judith Peters
Office of the Attorney General
6 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0006
RE: Adjoining document for letter addressed to Ms. Judith Peters
Scope of practice of traditional naturopaths vs. scope of practice of conventional naturopaths.The practice of (N.M.D.’s) or conventional naturopathic medicine includes the following methods of healing: “(1) Counseling and (2) the practice of mechanical and material sciences of healing as follows: The mechanical science such as mechanotherapy, articular manipulation, and orthopedic gymnastics, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy and phototherapy; and the material sciences such as nutrition, dietetics, phytotherapy, treatment by natural substances and external applications.” Chapter 373 Sec. 20-34 State of CT. Dept. of Public Health. This scope of practice is also in accordance with the definition of the U. S. Department of Labor.
The scope of practice of naturopathic physiciens does not include any mechanical or body based practices nor electrotherapy, phototherapy and mind-spirit practices. The practice of the Doctor of Naturopathy (N.D.) or traditional naturopaths includes the following: (1) Counseling and (2)the practice of analytical nutritional biochemical sciences such as: iridopathology, functional hematology, functional immunology and functional endocrinology, traditional gynecology, reams urinalysis, thermography, hair mineral analysis, oxidative stress test and the health assessment practices of myophysics, and computerized analyzers. (3) Health analysis based on quantum physics as follows: Kinesiology body field analysis and computarized body field analysis. (4) Material sciences of healing as follows: Naturopathy, nutrition, dietetics, phytotherapy, orthomolecular nutrition, homeopathy, nutritional psychotherapy, nutritional lymph therapy, oral chelation therapy, colon hydrotherapy, detoxification therapy and cold laser inflammation reduction therapy. External applications with natural substances as follows: Hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, neuro-reflexology, sunlight therapy, fresh air therapy, exercise therapy and rest therapy.
Mechanical sciences or body-based practices not included in the practice of traditional naturopaths:
Rolfing structural integration, chiropractic manipulation, massage therapy, medical massage, bowen therapy, tui na, alexander technique, stone therapy with body massage, acupressure with body massage, therapeutic massage, lymph-body massage therapy, feldenkrais, sujok acupuncture, body esthetics, cranio-sacral therapy, ayurvedic body therapy, trager body work, osteopathic manipulation, bodywork, mechanotherapy, articular manipulation, orthopedic gymnastics,
physiotherapy.
Metaphysical or holistic energy practices (mind-spirit) not included in the practice of traditional naturopaths:
Hypnosis, visual imagery, transcendental meditation, yoga, tai chi, qi gong energy healing, taiji, neurolinguistic programming, energetic healing, reiki, DNA theta healing, orion technique, guided imagery, healing touch, chaldean astrology, crystal therapy, magnetic therapy, breathwork, thought field, therapeutic touch, magnotherapy, johrei, polarity therapy, intuitive medicine, spiritual healing with light and color, kundalini healing energy, cellular energy healing, astral healing, chakras energy healing, vortex healing, sound energy healing etc.
Phototherapy and Electrotherapy practices not included in the practice of traditional naturopaths:
T.E.N.S. therapy (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator), neural therapy, color and light therapy for affective disorders, pulsing electromagnetic field (PEMF).
Sincerely,
Beverly Betancur, N.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Cc: All states
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