Homeopathic nutritionist?
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MABMomma
Posts: 36 Member
My family has recently made some major dietary changes & wanted to consult a nutritionist to ensure that our choices were suitable for our 4 year old son. We are new to the area that we live in & found what we believed was a nutritionist online.
The appointment was today & it was very interesting to say the least.
I knew something was off while I was filling out the new patient paperwork. One of the questions was "are you missing the last 1/3 of your eyebrow?" Huh?? Although this was strange I've never been to a nutritionist & didn't want to make any assumptions.
My son & I are taken into a tiny room where a woman rolls a scanner up & down his spine. She says that the machine is taking pictures of his spine to see if one side of his body is more "stressed" than the other. Pictures, what?
Then we meet the "nutritionist". She tells me that she doesn't agree with the changes that we've made. She wanted to make sure that we wouldn't be difficult patients because of her stance on things. I told her that I never wanted to be the type of mom to go doctor hopping because I didn't hear what I was expecting.
So now that she's gotten it down that I'm in her office for health & not whatever else she assumed, she pulls out this strange machine. My son holds what looks like a gold pen wrapped in a paper towel while she holds what seems to be a pen without a tip. She then rubs the pen up & down my kids big toe 250 times or so.
Once she's done she gets really close to me & tells me that my son is:
Gluten intolerant
Has issues with:
Amino acids
Brain chemistry
Prostate
Testes
Pancreas
Pineal gland
Calcium deficiency
& these are the most important on a list about the size of my torso.
The machine she used is called an EAV & only after I asked about the machine did she say that she was a homeopathic doctor. I was clearly confused & asked if she was a nutritionist also & she replies "I only prescribe herbs."
WHAT?!
I continue to ask her questions like "how accurate is this machine?" "How do these results compare to a scratch or blood tests?" "Why haven't you asked us anything about our diet?" "How can you make any conclusions when you don't even know my son's height or weight?"
I'm going to make an appointment with another nutritionist however, homeopathy? What're your thoughts? Can I trust this lady & her magical machine?
She also claimed that my son has irregularities in his reproductive organs because of all of the soy that he eats. The kid has never touched soy in his life, won't go near the stuff. This conclusion left me even more puzzled.
The appointment was today & it was very interesting to say the least.
I knew something was off while I was filling out the new patient paperwork. One of the questions was "are you missing the last 1/3 of your eyebrow?" Huh?? Although this was strange I've never been to a nutritionist & didn't want to make any assumptions.
My son & I are taken into a tiny room where a woman rolls a scanner up & down his spine. She says that the machine is taking pictures of his spine to see if one side of his body is more "stressed" than the other. Pictures, what?
Then we meet the "nutritionist". She tells me that she doesn't agree with the changes that we've made. She wanted to make sure that we wouldn't be difficult patients because of her stance on things. I told her that I never wanted to be the type of mom to go doctor hopping because I didn't hear what I was expecting.
So now that she's gotten it down that I'm in her office for health & not whatever else she assumed, she pulls out this strange machine. My son holds what looks like a gold pen wrapped in a paper towel while she holds what seems to be a pen without a tip. She then rubs the pen up & down my kids big toe 250 times or so.
Once she's done she gets really close to me & tells me that my son is:
Gluten intolerant
Has issues with:
Amino acids
Brain chemistry
Prostate
Testes
Pancreas
Pineal gland
Calcium deficiency
& these are the most important on a list about the size of my torso.
The machine she used is called an EAV & only after I asked about the machine did she say that she was a homeopathic doctor. I was clearly confused & asked if she was a nutritionist also & she replies "I only prescribe herbs."
WHAT?!
I continue to ask her questions like "how accurate is this machine?" "How do these results compare to a scratch or blood tests?" "Why haven't you asked us anything about our diet?" "How can you make any conclusions when you don't even know my son's height or weight?"
I'm going to make an appointment with another nutritionist however, homeopathy? What're your thoughts? Can I trust this lady & her magical machine?
She also claimed that my son has irregularities in his reproductive organs because of all of the soy that he eats. The kid has never touched soy in his life, won't go near the stuff. This conclusion left me even more puzzled.
0
Replies
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Homeopathy is a scam and she's a total quack/crackpot. If it were me, I'd run away as far and fast as I could - and I definitely wouldn't trust my kid's health to her.37
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I don't mind homeopathic methods if the person chooses, and I have seen success in some people with them, but they're not for me. I like a little more science to back up claims.
With that being said, she sounds like a quack.7 -
Thanks for confirming.
I'm disgusted at how much money she's making off of scamming people. You're a nutritionist who isn't concerned with our diet?!
Red flag!8 -
Here's what sciencebasedmedicine.com has to say about homeopathy: https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/reference/homeopathy/
[ETA:] And here's what quackwatch.com has to say: http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/homeo.html
Of particular notice is the section about electrodiagnostic devices:Some physicians, dentists, and chiropractors use "electrodiagnostic" devices to help select the homeopathic remedies they prescribe. These practitioners claim they can determine the cause of any disease by detecting the "energy imbalance" causing the problem. Some also claim that the devices can detect whether someone is allergic or sensitive to foods, vitamins, and/or other substances. The procedure, called electroacupuncture according to Voll (EAV), electrodiagnosis, or electrodermal screening, was begun during the late 1950s by Reinhold Voll, M.D., a West German physician who developed the original device. Subsequent models include the Vega, Dermatron, Accupath 1000, and Interro.
Proponents claim these devices measure disturbances in the flow of "electro-magnetic energy" along the body's "acupuncture meridians." Actually, they are fancy galvanometers that measure electrical resistance of the patient's skin when touched by a probe. Each device contains a low-voltage source. One wire from the device goes to a brass cylinder covered by moist gauze, which the patient holds in one hand. A second wire is connected to a probe, which the operator touches to "acupuncture points" on the patient's foot or other hand. This completes a circuit, and the device registers the flow of current. The information is then relayed to a gauge that provides a numerical readout. The size of the number depends on how hard the probe is pressed against the patient's skin. Recent versions, such as the Interro make sounds and provide the readout on a computer screen. The treatment selected depends on the scope of the practitioner's practice and may include acupuncture, dietary change, and/or vitamin supplements, as well as homeopathic products. Regulatory agencies have seized several types of electroacupuncture devices but have not made a systematic effort to drive them from the marketplace.
For more information about these devices and pictures of some of them, click here. If you encounter such a device, please read this article and report the device to the practitioner's state licensing board, the state attorney general, the Federal Trade Commission, the FBI, the National Fraud Information Center, and any insurance company to which the practitioner submits claims that involve use of the device. For the addresses of these agencies, click here.13 -
Run. Just... run away.
ETA: Sorry, I'm trying to hold in just how much these types of people bother me. But they can not tell those things by scanning a toe. They can't.
Good on you for looking for another nutritionist. Try one with a degree in an actual science.15 -
Thanks for confirming.
I'm disgusted at how much money she's making off of scamming people. You're a nutritionist who isn't concerned with our diet?!
Red flag!
This is why you should search for a dietitian, not a nutritionist. Dietitians need to be certified by the state; nutritionists can be anyone, as you clearly have witnessed.
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Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. Maybe you should look for a registered dietician.5
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Sounds like you're a scammers dream come true...
Seriously, just try to eat more whole, nutritious foods and stop worrying about making something simple seem complicated.
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Um, go to a REGISTERED DIETICIAN. Homeopathy can be strange to straight up crazy with no way to scientifically prove what they're saying is correct.
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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10
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"Homeopathy found to be effective for 0 out of 68 illnesses: a systematic review concluded the controversial treatment was no more effective than placebo drugs."
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/homeopathy-works-0-out-68-illnesses/2938612/
ETA: I usually don't link news articles but I'm lazy today.5 -
Listen. Google tricked me! I'm new to my area & I've never been to a dietitian or a nutritionist or a total wack job.
I also wasn't aware of what I had gotten myself into until the wierd toe scan started. I'm just a concerned parent that got steered in the wrong direction.15 -
Listen. Google tricked me! I'm new to my area & I've never been to a dietitian or a nutritionist or a total wack job.
I also wasn't aware of what I had gotten myself into until the weird toe scan started. I'm just a concerned parent that got steered in the wrong direction.
I'm not judging, live and learn as they say.
Nutritionists tend to have their own set of rules and have arbitrary guidelines they can (and often) make up on the spot.
As mentioned find a reputable dietician.0 -
Reminds me of Linda Hazzard...
The problem is with these quacks, is that they don't rely on making every patient a good "customer". They rely on the small percent of people who will get sucked into the blab, and by the time they have realized it's a scam, they have bought $$$$ worth of "magical products/herbs"
Keep looking, but your son should be fine. If he isn't losing weight and is still active, happy and healthy, it shouldn't be an issue. If the changes to your diet are increasing intake of vegetables, and fruit and making generally "more healthy" choices, there shouldn't be much to worry about.2 -
Sorry to hear you were misled/scammed
How about you ask the bank to reverse the payment - and drop her a note explaining that leaving the payment in her account for only a short time actually makes it more effective
Agree with others - take a look for a Registered Dietitian - maybe your GP could refer you to one, if you're now put-off looking online?8 -
Brand new rules just put in place by the Federal Trade Commission:
"Over the counter homeopathic remedies sold in the US will now have to come with a warning that they are based on outdated theories ‘not accepted by most modern medical experts’ and that ‘there is no scientific evidence the product works’."
https://scientificamerican.com/article/homeopathic-medicine-labels-now-must-state-products-do-not-work/?WT.mc_id=SA_FB_HLTH_NEWS
7 -
First, let's at least learn the difference between a naturopath and homeopath. They are NOT in any way, shape or form the same thing. A naturopath will use diet, supplements, herbs, and various other products to treat a person. Some NDs are licensed to use blood work, X-rays, and other medical testing to diagnose a patient. I've seen multiple types and prefer the one that used medical testing. It depends on the state they are in and the school they went to in terms of what they were trained to do if they can prescribe testing, antibiotics, etc. Most NDs are trained only to use hpathy in acute cases. It's the equivalent or a bit more of what little doctors get trained in nutrition. NDs predominantly do not use hpathy. Hpaths only use hpathy (unless they are adding to their practice) but that doesn't make what they are adding homeopathic in nature.
A homeopath uses only homeopathy to treat a person using HPUS certified made homeopathic remedies.
Either of these practitioners can (and many do) add other things to their practice but that does not make what they added "naturopathic" or "homeopathic" in nature. It means they've added to those practices other modes of practicing what they like or push for whatever reason. A medical doctor that practices satanism doesn't make all medicine satanic. Just because someone adds something to their practice does not change the pure definition of the practice.
These two modes of healthcare are HUGELY different. The person this gal saw is a naturopath. Homeopaths do not use energetic equipment to diagnose bc an hpath will not generally make diagnosis. A naturopath will diagnose.
None of you may agree with either of these methods and that's your choice. But being ignorant of the differences between the two makes your objections mean less bc you're making statements about things you obviously know nothing about.
All of that said, just like there are crappy doctors (and no one seems to have an issue telling people to find a new doctor), there are crappy ND's, Hpaths, dietitians, and yes, even dreaded nutritionists. I've had horrible doctors and great hpaths and NDs and I've had great doctors and horrible NDs and hpaths. I've seen better nutritionists then dietitians and vice versa. The moral of the story is regardless of what type of provider you choose, always do a thorough vetting. I now interview everyone we see either over the phone or in person before agreeing to see the person as a patient. I would recommend everyone do this as you can target your questions in such a way to see if the person will walk beside you and guide you in your healthcare or if they are the type that wants you to shut up, listen, and do what they say. You will end up in a vastly better working condition with your providers by doing so.
OP, do not feel bad. It happens. It's life. We learn from it and move on. You can attempt to stop payment or call the provider and be honest with her and try asking for your money back. Tell her if you had known and understood she was a naturopathic nutritionist you would have never scheduled with her as that is not the direction your family leans. A reputable practitioner will often refund at least the cost of the appt less any supplements, etc. They will all be different in their approach to customer service but the worst they can say is "no." If you paid with a credit card you can request to dispute the charge with your CC company and they will hold her payment until the dispute is settled. This gives you another opportunity to try and get her to respond positively. Unfortunately, I have had to do this with an hpath that ended up not being good. You do what you have to do to feel like you've righted the situation the best you can. I guess that's where I learned to do some major interviewing. I swore I'd never go through that again. It's a frustrating spot to be in. And I've had to do this with medical doctors as well- twice in fact. I won one and lost one in those cases. They come in all forms.
This is not a debate over whether or not the rest of you agree with any form of natural medicine or not. I couldn't give a rats *kitten* what you think. But OP wasn't happy and I offered her a couple of ways to deal with it. The rest of you just need to at least know the differences bc the ignorance really detracts from whatever point you're trying to make.7 -
Wynterbourne wrote: »Brand new rules just put in place by the Federal Trade Commission:
"Over the counter homeopathic remedies sold in the US will now have to come with a warning that they are based on outdated theories ‘not accepted by most modern medical experts’ and that ‘there is no scientific evidence the product works’."
https://scientificamerican.com/article/homeopathic-medicine-labels-now-must-state-products-do-not-work/?WT.mc_id=SA_FB_HLTH_NEWS
This does not sound accurate. The label changes made recently pertain only to how remedy vials are sealed. I am forwarding the article to someone I know that operates in that arena for their verification. There are a number of things that are very inaccurate coming out of Australia of late that many are taking to apply to the US. I'll see what I can find out about this.
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ronjsteele1 wrote: »Wynterbourne wrote: »Brand new rules just put in place by the Federal Trade Commission:
"Over the counter homeopathic remedies sold in the US will now have to come with a warning that they are based on outdated theories ‘not accepted by most modern medical experts’ and that ‘there is no scientific evidence the product works’."
https://scientificamerican.com/article/homeopathic-medicine-labels-now-must-state-products-do-not-work/?WT.mc_id=SA_FB_HLTH_NEWS
This does not sound accurate. The label changes made recently pertain only to how remedy vials are sealed. I am forwarding the article to someone I know that operates in that arena for their verification. There are a number of things that are very inaccurate coming out of Australia of late that many are taking to apply to the US. I'll see what I can find out about this.
I've read multiple news reports that report essentially the same thing as this Scientific American article. Do you have any reason to doubt these multiple reports, based on this 24-page FTC report (https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/federal-trade-commission-staff-report-homeopathic-medicine-advertising-workshop/p114505_otc_homeopathic_medicine_and_advertising_workshop_report.pdf), aside from your feeling that it doesn't "sound accurate"?9 -
Ugh.
I will say this much... the eyebrow thing? I can happen to people with thyroid issues. I've lost a lot of mine thanks to them.
Other than that? Sorry you had to go through all that. Just run.2
https://youtu.be/HMGIbOGu8q0
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