55 of 59 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Historical Summary, September 2, 2001
This review is from: Combining Old and New : Naturopathy for the 21st Century (Paperback)
This long-awaited title will interest all who wish to learn about the historical roots of naturopathy, the writings of its founders on a variety of natural therapies, and the modern applications and validations of naturopathic techniques.
Dr. Thiel is well-qualified to author such a book. In addition to his Ph.D. in Nutrition Science from the Union Institute and his doctor of Naturopathy from the International College of Naturopathy, Dr. Thiel is current president of the California State Naturopathic Medical Association. Thiel has also had a number of papers published in various alternative medical journals (including the Townsend Letter) and currently has a paper in press with the prestigious British journal Medical Hypotheses.
The book begins with an overview and definition of just what naturopathy is. Drawing from the writings of Drs. Bendict Lust and John Schnell, as well as the defining Congressional Act of 1931, Thiel presents naturopathy as a drugless, non-invasive, non-surgical, non-medical discipline that should only use natural interventions to correct bodily and mental imbalances.
In chapter two, titled "Naturopathic Philosophy," Thiel draws from early naturopathic writings to demonstrate the basic foundations of the art: Premum no nocere ("First, do no harm"), Vis medcatrix naturae ("the healing power of nature"), and Tolle causum ("all causes," or what makes people get sick). Peculiar to this chapter is the presentation of the nine naturopathic standards adopted by the profession at the Golden Jubilee meeting in 1947. Something Thiel repeatedly draws attention to in this chapter is the importance of approaching the person in their totality and not just their symptoms. Thiel accurately points out that alternative therapists sometimes commit the same error of allopaths: they treat the disease and not the patient. Proper attention to correcting the causes of disease are paramount to the naturopathic approach to health.
What makes this book unique is the effective and thorough "round-up" of early writings on a variety of naturopathic modalities such as heliotherapy, hydrotherapy, herbalism, homeopathy, massage, exercise, rest and sleep, fasting, etc. Thiel has done an outstanding job of finding and organizing assorted excerpts from the profession's founders to define what those modalities are and what their possibilities are in helping others. Thiel then makes conclusions as to how these modalities are still effective today, often reporting on recent studies or research that validate naturopathic techniques.
Most striking, however, is Thiel's stance on synthetic and natural vitamins and minerals. Citing the Golden Jubilee's Standards of 1947, Thiel argues that synthetic supplements have no place in naturopathic practice and devotes considerable space in the book to demonstrating that natural, food-complexed nutrients are superior to synthetic ones. Several of Thiel's published papers on fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and other subjects fill out the book's appendices.
Thiel concludes the book with a warning to the naturopathic profession: "If naturopaths embrace allopathic medications as part of their modalities, not only will they betray their naturopathic foundation, they will cease to be naturopaths. Naturopaths who prescribe medications are telling their clients that they do not feel they can be helped through naturopathic methods. Naturopaths who routinely prescribe medicines are not, in my opinion, being true to this profession." In these days where some naturopaths feel that they should have the legal right to dispense drugs as allopaths do, Thiel's words are quite pertinent and should be heeded.
Naturopathy for the 21st Century should be required reading of all present and future Nds, as well as the lay public who are interested in natural health. In its masterful combining of old and current writings and research on the art and science of naturopathy, the book offers readers invaluable insights into the healing power of nature.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent overview of Naturopathy, January 6, 2008
This review is from: Combining Old and New : Naturopathy for the 21st Century (Paperback)
Dr. Robert J. Theil's book combines old and new practices of naturopathy to teach readers about preventing imbalances that lead to disease, the healing abilities of natural substances, and time-tested therapeutic practices. His easy-to-understand and well-researched book appeals to many types of readers as it strives to educate people on the workings of the human body. Readers come in three flavors.
Most readers will be those who are disenchanted with the deficiencies of the allopathic medical model. (That is, wait for something to go wrong and then see what the doctor can do to fix it using invasive, risky, and expensive solutions.) Many are clamoring for information on how to prevent illness and they have learned that mainstream medicine focuses on treatments and cures rather than education and prevention. This book answers the question, "Why do we get sick?" and answers with natural approaches involving diet, nutrition, vitamin supplementation, exercise, fasting, sleep, and many other non-surgical and non-pharmaceutical modalities. In addition, sections deal with esoteric naturopathic practices such as magnetic and electro therapy, iridology as a diagnostic tool, color therapy, healing powers of sound and music, homeopathy, mineral salts, and mud baths. In my humble opinion, an open-minded reader seeking advice on disease prevention and natural remedies will find a wealth of helpful information whether they wish to chart their own course or become better-informed patients.
The next category of reader is the health enthusiast considering a career in naturopathy. This book is arguably the best overview available and should be required reading for all budding NDs. In fact, it is used as an introductory textbook in several naturopathic colleges. For each chapter there are one or more entire books which the serious student should read, study, and master, but as an introductory overview, I feel this book can't be beat.
The final category of potential reader is the mainstream medical professional who wishes to do more for his/her patients by making a commitment to patient education in the prevention and non-invasive treatment of diseases. Unfortunately, however, none of the information contained in the book has FDA endorsement. Any time a practitioner recommends a non-FDA approved treatment plan and something causes the plan to go awry, he opens himself to a medical malpractice lawsuit. In my more optimistic moments, I wish that doctors will do right by their patients by recognizing the value of the naturopathic approach, but realistically, there is far more money for the practitioner in surgical or pharmaceutical intervention than in prevention or natural treatments. Also, there is less liability by sticking to FDA-approved treatment AND it takes a lot less time to dispense a pill compared to getting a patient to overcome a lifetime of bad habits. So it seems unlikely that the medical establishment will genuinely embrace patient education and non-mainstream prevention practices any time soon.
That puts the onus on the patient to take personal responsibility by becoming a highly educated patient, which brings us back to the concept of naturopathy and this book. Anyone who buys this book, reads it, follows up with diligent Internet research, and vows to mend their unhealthy lifestyles in accordance with they learn, will be taking a HUGE step toward leading a longer, healthier, happier life.
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