By Andrée Noye Reading Time: 3-4 minutes I understand that this post might be controversial within my circle. I want to clarify that I hold no judgment towards individuals who have found satisfaction in alternative health treatments. However, I am outlining C+M's stance on (not) offering certain services within the context of a community wellness center and private/public health regulations.
Whether it is due to liability concerns, professional integrity, core values, or understanding one’s scope of practice, it's crucial to establish clear boundaries for the services we believe will yield the most positive outcomes for our community.
I will not address fraudulent practices or individuals who exploit others. However, even with the best interest at heart, it has been shown that alternative medicine can sometimes interfere with conventional medical treatments, leading to undesirable and sometimes dramatic outcomes. While there may be instances where alternative treatments show promise, their effectiveness is typically recognized only after all conventional options have been exhausted.
Conversely, complementary care can be highly beneficial for managing chronic illnesses where conventional medicine focuses on symptom management rather than a cure. We firmly believe that complementary therapies can offer additional support and enhance overall well-being when used alongside standard treatments.
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) applies the scientific method to healthcare and aims to ensure that healthcare professionals make "conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence" in their practice. This approach guarantees that patient care is based on the most reliable and up-to-date scientific data. At C+M, every service, product, and application are meticulously prepared, founded on years of experience and training, countless hours of continued education, and a commitment to critical thinking.
There is a clear distinction between alternative and complementary medicine. Most medical professionals accept and even encourage the use of complementary treatments, provided they are used in conjunction with conventional treatments. When integrated with evidence-based medical practices, complementary medicine can enhance the patient’s overall healthcare experience and outcomes.
Professional Services Not Offered at C+M Community Wellness Centre
Complementary Medical Systems: Any approach that is provided without proper and informed consent (I'm looking at you Mr. Physician who waited until the anesthetist showed up to make me sign a consent form that had some dodgy legalese)... Read this article from the Canadian Medical Protective Association.
Physical Manipulation Interventions: Ionic foot soaks (we offer proven and more economical methods for cellular waste removal, such as lymphatic drainage), cranio-sacral therapy (still a contentious topic, even among osteopaths).
Herbal and Nutritive Interventions: Vitamin injections (also illegal if not regulated by Health Canada), detox supplements (I will link my opinion here very soon), restrictive diets, HTMA-p and Live Blood Analysis to sell supplements, any multi-level marketing (MLM) products (e.g., DoTerra essential oils, Isagenix and Zija, Immunotec). While we value kitchen and food companies, we advise avoiding MLM products for the purpose of health and wellness. The following blog, in French, echoes my position on the matter - I will share its translation very soon)
Mind-Body Interventions: Any mind-body interventions used in lieu of conventional medical treatment. I recognize the limits of my professional scope and urge reporting any practitioner who suggests abandoning conventional medicine for alternative approaches without proper advocacy. C+M remains committed to supporting integrative healthcare.
Read more
Charlie Northcott, Helen Spooner & Tamasin Ford (2024). TB Joshua exposé: How the disgraced pastor faked his miracles. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67944614
Christopher Dwyer (2019). Open-Mindedness and Skepticism in Critical Thinking. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/thoughts-thinking/201904/open-mindedness-and-skepticism-in-critical-thinking
Maria La Ganga (2016). Pay-to-pray scam finds families caught between faith and desperation. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/mar/20/pay-to-pray-scam-washington-christian-prayer-center-online