Did not realize the last post linked to a scientology sponsored video….it is deleted….oops now it is here again, (my woman’s prerogative!): YOU DECIDE!!!!….YOU ARE FREE TO  CHOOSE!

http://www.cchr.org/#/videos/making-a-killing-side-effects

http://www.cchr.org/#/videos/making-a-killing-introduction

Two new studies conclude that a review which claimed that homeopathy is just a placebo, published in The Lancet, was seriously flawed. 

George Lewith, Professor of Health Research at Southampton University comments: ‘The review gave no indication of which trials were analysed nor of the various vital assumptions made about the data. This is not usual scientific practice. If we presume that homeopathy works for some conditions but not others, or change the definition of a ‘larger trial’, the conclusions change. This indicates a fundamental weakness in the conclusions: they are NOT reliable.’

The background to the ongoing debate is as follows:

In August 2005, The Lancet published an editorial entitled ‘The End of Homeopathy’, prompted by a review comparing clinical trials of homeopathy with trials of conventional medicine.  The claim that homeopathic medicines are just placebo was based on 6 clinical trials of conventional medicine and 8 studies of homeopathy but did not reveal the identity of these trials.  The review was criticised for its opacity as it gave no indication of which trials were analysed and the various assumptions made about the data. 

Sufficient detail to enable a reconstruction was eventually published and two recently published scientific papers based on such a reconstruction challenge the Lancet review, showing that:

·       Analysis of all high quality trials of homeopathy yields a positive conclusion. 

·       The 8 larger higher quality trials of homeopathy were all for different conditions; if homeopathy works for some of these but not others the result changes, implying that it is not placebo.

·       The comparison with conventional medicine was meaningless. 

·       Doubts remain about the opaque, unpublished criteria used in the review, including the definition of ‘higher quality’.

The Lancet review, led by Prof Matthias Egger of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine at the University of Berne, started with 110 matched clinical trials of homeopathy and conventional medicine, reduced these to ‘higher quality trials’ and then to 8 and 6 respectively ‘larger higher quality trials’.  Based on these 14 studies the review concluded that there is ‘weak evidence for a specific effect of homoeopathic remedies, but strong evidence for specific effects of conventional interventions’.

There are a limited number of homeopathic studies so it is quite possible to interpret these data selectively and unfavourably, which is what appears to have been done in the Lancet paper.  If we assume that homeopathy does not work for just one condition (Arnica for post-exercise muscle stiffness), or alter the definition of ‘larger trial’, the results are positive.  The comparison with conventional medicine was meaningless: the original 110 trials were matched, but matching was lost after they were reduced to 8 and 6.  But  the quality of homeopathic trials was better than conventional trials.

This reconstruction casts serious doubts on the review, showing that it was based on a series of hidden judgments unfavourable to homeopathy.  An open assessment of the current evidence suggests that homeopathy is probably effective for a number of conditions including allergies, upper respiratory tract infections and ‘flu, but more research is desperately needed.

Prof Egger has declined to comment on these findings.

References

Lüdtke R, Rutten ALB. The conclusions on the effectiveness of homeopathy highly depend on the set of analyzed trials. J Clin Epidemiol 2008.  doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2008.06.015

Rutten ALB, Stolper CF. The 2005 meta-analysis of homeopathy: the importance of post-publication data. Homeopathy 2008.  doi:10.1016/j.homp.2008.09.008.

The majority of homeopaths and consumers enjoy sensible homeopathy. Sensible homeopathy is the combining of carefully chosen, effective homeopathic treatments with conventional therapies.

Sensible homeopaths support the consumer/client when they choose vaccinations and other conventional medical interventions. In fact, homeopathy can help with the side effects of such medications and vaccines.

In spite of homeopathy having some very good outcomes during epidemic diseases, sensible homeopaths do not use homeopathic remedies preventatively especially when it is months or even years prior to a possible disease outbreak. Sensible homeopaths do not recommend stopping pharmaceutical medications except under the guidance of a medical doctor.

But sensible homeopaths and consumers are also aware of the fact that medical doctors and their recommended treatments are not infallible, and can lead in some cases to unwanted problems, even mortality. This awareness is also sensible and essential for fording the bridge of disease towards cure.

Having a sensible homeopath in your corner is a great choice for your health care. Ask your homeopath their views on working with conventional medical doctors and medicine before making your sensible choice.

This blog is an attempt to make sure you have the right to many different kinds of therapy including alternative ones. Many are trying to make sure that you only use one type of medicine restricting your choices and options.  It is in response to attacks made on your freedom to choose health.

Remember, even if you don’t use homeopathy its still important for you. It gives everyone extra options and prevents only one type of medicine being practiced. Homeopaths are well intentioned individuals who have devoted their lives to curing illnesses in a deep and long lasting way. Support them and their struggle to maintain this viable alternative. 

Here is something from the UK Society of Homeopath’s Web Site:

What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a gentle, holistic system of healing, suitable for everyone, young and old. Homeopathy focuses on you as an individual, concentrating on treating your specific physical and emotional symptoms, to give long lasting benefits.       The therapy is based on the theory of treating “like with like”. Homeopathic remedies are diluted natural substances that if given to a healthy person,

would produce the symptoms the medicine is prescribed for. In the assessment of you, the patient, homeopaths will take into account the range of physical, emotional and lifestyle factors in order to prescribe the right medicine(s).

Homeopathy is a complementary therapy
Homeopathy has been widely used throughout the world for more than 200 years. In 2000, the House of Lords’ Select Committee on Science & Technology cited homeopathy as one of the five Group One therapies, having “an individual diagnostic approach” along with osteopathy, chiropractic, herbal medicine and acupuncture. (1)

Homeopathy can be safely used alongside most conventional medicines.

How long has Homeopathy been used?
Homeopathy has been used in the UK for over two hundred years, but has an honourable tradition dating back to ancient Greece. It was Samuel Hahnemann, a brilliant doctor working in 1796 who developed the scientific and philosophical foundations of this gentler way of healing. These scientific principles form the basis of successful homeopathic practice today.

Are homeopathic remedies safe?
Homeopathic remedies are a unique, potentised energy medicine, drawn from the plant, mineral and animal worlds. They are diluted to such a degree that not one molecule of the original substance can be detected (after the 12c potency).

They work by gently boosting the natural energy of the body, and are very safe, even for pregnant and sensitive patients. There is no danger of addiction or toxicity.(2)

How are the remedies discovered?
The clinical indications of our medicines are discovered in all of three ways:

• The toxicity symptoms (or poisoning picture, eg. vomiting and diarrhoea caused by arsenic)

• The ‘signature’ of the medicine, an ancient medical idea based on the ‘affinities’ of certain substances (eg. Deadly Nightshade, Atropa belladonna has large shiny black berries that resemble the dilated pupils of the eyes in high fever)

• The ‘proving’, in which the highly diluted substances are tested blind on a group of healthy volunteers who then record the symptoms they experience. Where there is agreement amongst provers, the symptoms are documented in a Repertory.

All this information is used to match the remedies with your symptoms.

How are the remedies made?
There are five regulated homeopathic pharmacies in the UK (see Find a Pharmacy). The raw extracts (from plants or animals) or triturations (from minerals and salts) are made into a ‘tincture’ with alcohol which forms the basis of the dilution procedure. Dilutions are made up to either 1 part tincture to 10 parts water (1x) or 1 part tincture to 100 parts water (1c). Repeated dilution results in the familiar 6x, 6c or 30c potencies that can be bought over the counter: the 30c represents an infinitessimal part of the original substance.

If they are so dilute, how can they work?
After each dilution the mixture is vigorously agitated in a machine that delivers a calibrated amount of shaking. This is called succussion. It is thought that this process imprints the healing energy of the medicinal substance throughout the body of water (the diluent) as if a message is passed on. The message contains the healing energy. Even in ultra-molecular dilutions, information specific to the original dissolved substance remains and can be detected. (3)

What can homeopathy treat?
Homeopathy has a wide application, from acute fevers, sore throats and toothache, to chronic illnesses such as arthritis, eczema, asthma, anxiety, mild depression and chronic fatigue syndrome. There has been some very good research evidence to support this (see Research section).

What happens when you see a homeopath?
Your homeopath understands that establishing good health involves treating both mind and body, so time is taken to listen to your emotional and physical symptoms. To stimulate your body’s own healing process, a remedy closest to your individual symptom picture is prescribed. Healing beings from within your body, strengthening your health and immune system, without any danger of damaging side effects. (2)

Where can I find a qualified homeopath?
The Society of Homeopaths produces a frequently updated register of professionally trained homeopaths, who work to the Society’s Code of Ethics & Practice. You can find one in your area by consulting the register available on this website (See Find a homeopath in your area). Enter your postcode to find homeopaths closest to you.

Or you can call 0845 450 6611 The Society of Homeopaths will send you a list of professional, registered homeopaths nearest to your home, and answer any of your questions.

Or you can put your request in writing to The Society of Homeopaths, 11 Brookfield, Duncan Close, Moulton Park, Northampton NN3 6WL.

References:
(1) House of Lords Select Committee on Science & Technology. ‘Complementary & Alternative Medicine.’ Session 1999-2000, 6th Report. The Stationery Office, 2000
(2) Dantas F, Rampes H. Do homeopathic medicines provoke adverse effects? A systematic review. Br Hom J 2000;89,p.35-8
(3) Belon P, Cumps J, Ennis M, et al. Histamine dilutions modulate basophil activation, Inflammation Research 2004: 53; 181-188

 

Here is an excerpt from an article published by Christopher Kent, D.C., J.D in the United States.

The manual and numbers he refers to are official diagnostic conditions and categories which are used for both government purposes and insurance purposes in the United States and other countries.

“The Definition of a Medicalized Society

Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary 2 defines “medicalize” as follows: “To handle or accept as deserving of or appropriate for medical treatment.”

Sato offers a more specific definition for medicalization: “A process or a tendency whereby the phenomena which had belonged to other fields like education, law, religion, and so on have been redefined as medical phenomena.”

Examples abound in psychiatry’s code book for psychiatric disorders and “conditions or problems … which may be a focus of clinical attention and require appropriate coding …”

This remarkable tome is DSM-IV4. DSM-1 was first published in 1952, titled Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

My journey into DSM-IV made me think I had fallen into Alice’s rabbit hole.

Normal Human Experience Now Masqueraded as “Disorders”

Do you have difficulty sleeping after drinking coffee? The problem isn’t a product of your poor judgment in guzzling java immediately before retiring. You are a victim of 292.89 — Caffeine-Induced Sleep Disorder F15.8.

If you reflect on your shyness while tossing and turning, the problem could be the epidemic of 300.23 — Social Phobia F40.1. Don’t worry. Drug treatment is available.

Unfortunately, if you’re thinking about your place in the cosmos or spiritual issues, you’ve got V62.89 — Religious or Spiritual Problem Z71.8, and I couldn’t locate a drug for that.

Bad parenting is about to become a thing of the past. It’s not your fault, or your child’s fault. Besides the ubiquitous pandemic of ADHD, there are other disorders you may not be aware of.
Your ill-behaving child may be suffering from 313.81 — Oppositional Defiant Disorder F91.3.

If your child often argues with adults, loses their temper, deliberately annoys people, etc., you’re dealing with ODD. Of course, this must be differentiated from 312.8 — Conduct Disorder F91.8, and 312.9 — Disruptive Behavior Disorder Not Otherwise Specified F91.9.

Should the problem be getting along with a brother or sister, the condition is V61.8 — Sibling Relational Problem F93.3.

And should you argue with your spouse about whether the child should be grounded or drugged, you might be looking down the barrel of V61.1 — Partner Relational Problem Z63.0.

If math homework is a challenge, be sure to check for 315.1 — Mathematics Disorder F81.2. You must be careful not to confuse this with a V62.3 — Academic Problem Z55.8.

If things are OK in the math department, but you have a teen experiencing uncertainty about life goals, career preferences, values, loyalties, etc., you’re dealing with 313.82 Identity Problem F93.8. This has been downgraded from a “disorder” in DSM-III-R, to a mere “problem” in DSM-IV. I’ll bet that makes you feel better.

A Pill for Every Issue You Don’t Want to Face

A plethora of sexual issues are described as “disorders.” We are all familiar with Bob Dole making erectile dysfunction a household word, with the blue pill offering a solution. But that’s just the tip of the, um, iceberg. If the target of your libidinal interest is ignoring you, the problem may be 302.71 Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder F52.2.

Lest anyone be offended, I will not address the other disorders codified in Chapter 20. Simply be happy that there are solutions that do not require you to address issues in your relationship.

Men can obtain testosterone cream if a doctor determines that it’s “right for you.” The stuff is said to work well. According to an ad in JAMA5, “Sexual enjoyment and satisfaction with erection duration were improved vs. baseline, but these improvements were not significant compared to placebo.” The ad shows a couple dancing, a couple riding a motorcycle, and two pictures of men swinging golf clubs (alone) and smiling.

Perhaps the next version of DSM will have a category for “golf disorders.”

REFERENCES
1. Wood H: Retail therapy. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 2003;4:700.
1. Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary. Barnes and Noble. New York. 1996.
1. Sato A: Medicalization and medicalization theories.
1. Reed WH, Wise MG: DSM-IV Training Guide. Brunner/Mazel, Inc. Philadelphia, PA. 1995.
1. JAMA 2003;290(11):1427.”

But in a recent rage-filled post Bad Science Cult spokeman, the Gimpy, exploded that the Society of Homeopaths are “scumbags”. Scumbag means condom- they prevent AIDS!

Oh well, another baaaaad science flip flop. Stick to busting frog-whisperers. (But then again the poor, poor frogs!)

I’m glad because his shrill rhetoric has gotten to the stage of hysteria such that pragmatic and good people will now see it for what it is: baaaad science cult hysteria.

Of course everyone knows what really caused the AIDS epidemic- the pharmaceutical industry!!!!

Check this horrific video of an interview with the former head of Research for Merck:

Click here to go to the goodscience.wordpress.com blog and see the discussion and a link to the video.

Of course, maybe, just maybe, a widdle biddy virus might be causing it. (I put this in the language that I think, but of course I can’t scientifically prove, that Ben Goldacre and his bad science cult members might understand).

I even see that for every barrage of news reporting some deficiency or dangerous discovery about the effect of some conventional medication(s) THEY do the damage control. Why is that?

Here’s one of the reasons: if you actually admitted that the problems with modern medicine are on such massive proportions as they appear to be then you would have to admit that the scientific methodology that underpins it is also seriously FLAWED.

With recalls of medications on such massive scales it appears to the more pragmatic amongst us that the double blind placebo controlled trial is NOT a good predictor of efficacy nor safety.

Vioxx

Sinusitis

Cough

and so much more!

How Do You Get Anything Dark and Heavy?

Get baad science cult members to swarm and comment on it.

“A sense of humor is not scientific”

OK, Swarm that comment….

For those of you new to this scene: Why do I call them a cult of quackbusters, debunkers and bad science?

Because…

they definitely fit the definition of a Cult:

1. followers of an exclusive system of religious beliefs and practices
2. an interest followed with exaggerated zeal

But also, my apologies to you of lightness and mirth because if you want to see how to make something light heavy read some of the comments here in- but only if are on a strong chair because eventually you will get heavier and heavier and heavier and heavier…

Because….

response Mode of major cult members epitimized by Simpson/Gimpy et all can be summed up in one word-

Pedantic

Definition of pedantic:

1. ostentatious in one’s learning.
2. overly concerned with minute details or formalisms