When a skeptic (or homeopathy denier as we call them) sees through the 'game' they are playing with the truth, it has to be good news!
But when, as described here, the former skeptic provides a detailed and well-considered insight and analysis into the psyche of skepticism, particularly when it is spoken with such integrity, it is even better.
This is what he has to say about 'skepticism' and medical science.Medical science. In criticising homeopathy, chiropractic, faith healing and the like, skeptics tend to overstate the integrity of medical science, which for all its achievements is still rife with difficulties. I can't help but be suspicious of a field in which research is dominated by a handful of particularly large and unscrupulous corporations.
But even if Big Pharma doesn't bother you, you should consider, for example, the political assumptions inherent in the sciences of pathology and psychopathology. Symptoms can be empirically there, but the decision to categorise a set of symptoms as an illness is frequently a political call. Over the years, medical science has tended to pathologise those sets of symptoms which interfere with an individual's participation in the profit system (like physical disability), or which confirm existing social prejudices (homosexuality and female hysteria were once considered mental illnesses), or which can be profitably "treated", regardless of whether the symptoms are actually debilitating (a process known as disease-mongering).
It is conceivable that to a future society all these decisions might seem as barbaric as the decision to categorise a set of cranial measurements as characteristic of an inferior race. The analysis is much deeper than this, and for any social group (including homeopathy and CAM practitioners) that has had to go through the tiresome negativity of these people, this blog is certainly worth reading.
The power of Big Corp is certainly behind these people.
PROCESS AGAINST THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF CLASSICAL POLISH HOMEOPATHY (WSHLiF)
Dr. Jan Baranowski president of Classical Homeopathy in 2009 was tried by the Polish Supreme Court of medicine, for violating articles 2 of the Polish code of ethics of medicine: 1) to have used a therapy (homeopathic) that is not recognized in Poland (Article 57 / 1), 2) have used homeopathy as an additional method (Article 6 of the Code of Ethics). He was acquitted.
The call was instead found guilty by the Supreme Court of medicine because the code of ethics clearly states that: a doctor can not use methods that science has found harmful or worthless, or that have not been evaluated by science. Nor can a doctor to cooperate with people, dealing with the treatment of others who are not licensed properly.
While the Supreme Court does not believe that the homeopathic treatment is practiced in this case was harmful, it must still declare that this therapy has not been recognized in Poland as a valid method of science.
Homeopathic remedies have been used as an additional antibiotic.
The Supreme Court has considered that the treatment did not cause any harm to patients, in fact they have stated that homeopathy was effective and cured them.
The doctor has prescribed only under indictment remedies that his patients can be found on sale in pharmacies. But the Supreme Court reiterates that Article 6 of the Code of Ethics states: the doctor is free to choose the methods of procedure he considers most effective. But those measures should be used only when the patient really needs and that are consistent with the current state of knowledge of medicine. Prof. Mozikiewcz an expert, says that homeopathy is not a recognized method of treatment, and that is part of the so-called alternative medicine. There are no clinical or experimental evidence that can prove the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment. He added that the homeopathic method, though its efficacy has not been documented, it should not be used by a physician, but also pointed out that homeopathy can be used as an additional method, but without a recommendation from a doctor and patient risk.
The Supreme Court agrees with the first court (2009) that according to the law courts of medicine should not determine what is and what non'è the current knowledge of medicine, but must evaluate the conduct of a physician specific cases and try to find out if it was in accordance cn of specific standards determined by other bodies. And 'that's why the case should be reviewed.
Dr. Jan Baranowski sent this article to:
Unio Homoeopathica Belgica, Sociedade Portuguesa de Homeopatica; SHD Slovensko društvo homeopatsko; Verein Schweizerischer Ärzte Homöopatischer; Robert Ködel; Österreichische Gesellschaft für Medizin Homöopathische; michael frass; Magyar Homeopata Orvosi Egyesület; Leon Scheepers; KRUSE Sigrid; Lietuvos Homeopatu Asocijacija; Konstantos Ioannis, Hellenic Homeopathic Medical Association; FIAMO - Italian Federation of Associations and Homeopathic Doctors, Federacion Espanola de Médicos Homeopatas; Fédération Française des Médecins Homéopathes Classiques, Faculty of Homeopathy; für Klassische Homöopathie Ärtzegesellschaft, "Deutscher Zentralverein Homöop. Ärzte"
REFLECTION
IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES ALL ARE SUFFERING
Associations, clubs and more homeopathic representatives of this planet have been very compassionate with Dr. Jan Baranowski, but this is not enough for me. The legislature of each country on this planet, about the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment, he wants the evidence and reason. Experimental evidence, clinical cases where healing is confirmed by the instrumental Iindagini Conventional Medicine. (The expert Prof. Polish Mozikiewicz states that homeopathy is not a recognized method of treatment, and that there are no clinical or experimental evidence that can prove the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment).
I spoke with Dr. Baranowski and all the colleagues from Poland, 20,011 in the month of April, I was invited as a speaker at a seminar in Poznan Polish city, and I recommended to seek a confrontation with the Supreme Court of the medicine of his country. If the legislature wants to evidence about the effectiveness of classical homeopathy I can deliver more than one clinical case of acute and chronic recording of a serious nature where healing was confirmed by imaging techniques of conventional medicine. The video recordings are very important to have evidence of what they assert. The cases on paper are never as objective and live in video cases.
APPEAL
The classical homeopaths, have acute or chronic clinical cases where the healing and was confirmed by imaging techniques of conventional medicine, they can send them to: e-mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or at the following address: Ioannis Konstantos Rook-Thomas on 120 56122-Pisa-evaluated by the Scientific Committee to be homeopathic: Italian Association of classical-Pieria.CF9307160506
Dr. Ioannis Konstantos Unicisthomeopathhomeopathicand Chairmanof:Associationof classicalItalian-Pieria
I was invitedto PolandbyWSHLIF(Association ofClassicalHomeopathyPolish)twicetohold twoseminarsto bringmy experienceclinica. I showed to the polish colleguescasesof acute andchronicvideosof somegravity. I've founda greatinterest inthe clinic andI alsosaw a largeparticipation andgreat thirstto enrich theirknowledge. These are simple peopleandnothaughty,that immediatelyputs youat easegiving offsuch warmth. I thank thePresidentDr.JanBaranowski,thePresidentof theDr. GabrielaSniatataand VicePresidentDr.GrazynaMilewskiand their staff. THE SECOND SEMINAR IN POLAND
Wielkopolskie Stowarszyszenie Homeopatów Lekarzy i Farmaceutów
Seminarium dr J.Konstantosa 7-9.IV 2011
Walne Zebranie Sprawozdawcze 4 czerwca 2011r. godz.15.00 w siedzibie Wielkopolskiej Izby Lekarskiej w Poznaniu
Seminarium dr J.Konstantosa 7-9.IV 2011
Serdecznie zapraszamy na II spotkanie z dr J. Konstantosem- doświadczonym homeopatą praktykiem. Homeopatii uczył się pod kierunkiem G. Vitoulkasa. Jest dyrektorem Międzynarodowej Akademii Klasycznej Homeopatii „Pieria”w Piziewe Włoszech. W przygotowaniu jest tłumaczenie na język polski jego znakomitej książki „ Clinical Homeopathic Materia Medica” w której oprócz opisów leków znajduje się prawdziwe bogactwo ilustrujących je klinicznych przypadków z jego praktyki. W doborze leków dr J. Konstantos opiera się w pierwszej kolejności na objawach umysłowych ale wskazuje też na szczególnie charakterystyczne objawy fizyczne.
Seminarium odbędzie się w dniach 7-9 kwietnia 2011r w sali konferencyjnej Wielkopolskiej Izby Lekarskiej
przy ul. Nowowiejkiego 51 w Poznaniu.
Plan seminarium:
Czwartek, 7 kwietnia godz. 10.00-18.00
Przypadek na DVD: zespół przewlekłego zmęczenia Przypadek na DVD: wodniak jądra Przypadek na DVD: atopowe zapalenie skóry u niemowląt Przypadek na DVD: przewlekłe zapalenia pochwy Przypadek na DVD: padaczka
Piątek, 08 kwietnia godz. 9.00-18.00
Przypadek na DVD: gangrena stóp Przypadek na DVD: wirusowe zapalenie wątroby typu B Przypadek na DVD: niedowład spastyczny Przypadek na DVD: zespół przewlekłego zmęczenia Przypadek na DVD: małopłytkowość Przypadek na DVD: nawracające zapalenia gardła i migdałów Przypadek na DVD: dermatoza krostkowa Sneddon-Wilkinson
Uwaga! Msza Św. 8 kwietnia piątek godz. 19.00 w intencji o błogosławieństwo dla lekarzy homeopatów i ich pacjentów.
Mszę odprawi w naszej intencji o.Jacek Norkowski w Kościele pw. Królowej Różańca Świętego (oo. dominikanie)al. Niepodległości 20 w Poznaniu.
Sobota, 9 Kwietnia godz. 8.00 - 16.00
Przypadek na DVD: cukrzyca insulinozależna Przypadek na DVD: łojotok skóry twarzy Przypadek na DVD: histeria u chłopca 8-letniego Przypadek na DVD: depresja Przypadek na DVD: ataki paniki
Classical Homeopathy Seminar Seminar with cases presented in video with follow up
(7- 8-9 April 2011) Poznan,Poland
Speaker:Dr: Ioannis KONSTANTOS
Director of the Internatiol Accademy of Classical Homeopathy”Pieria” Pisa,Italy
Do you worry before walking into a room full of strangers? Does a lack of confidence hold you back in your life? Do you become tongue tied at crucial moments?
Then you are not alone. Many people experience a lack of confidence at one time or another, and many more constantly struggle with the difficulties that a lack of confidence can bring.
What is Confidence? The socially confident believe that they “get on with people” or are “good” at making conversation and listening. People who are confident at work will take on a difficult task knowing that it is a “challenge” so they will enjoy “problem solving”. We often taken for granted what we are good at – listening, finances, raising a family, our jobs etc, but because we live with it we some how believe ourselves to be ordinary, not appreciating that we have exceptional qualities envied by others.
We all experience confidence individually. Confident people tend to display certain qualities that demonstrate that they believe in themselves, they are relaxed with what they are doing, they have the knowledge/skills/ability that allows them to deal with whatever life throws at them…..or can they?
Even the most confident of people have experienced a lack of confidence at times, it is the way that they handle it that is different. Confidence is not a constant and whilst we experience it in a number of areas of our life where we feel comfortable and know what is expected of us, it is when we are faced with something new or where we have perhaps had a bad experience in the past that our confidence can suddenly dip.
How does a lack of confidence come about & what are the effects? Anna Freud once said "I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence but it comes from within. It is there all the time.“ People who experience a dip or lack of confidence will experience various emotions from self doubt, fear, anger, helplessness, feeling flustered, to physical things like having a dry mouth and wobbly knees.
Experiences such as lack of encouragement (managers, parents, social group), a perception of experiencing bad luck continuously, being criticised etc. all help to develop a lack of confidence in one or more areas. Added to this there is invariably some sort of internal commentary going on that exacerbates the situation such as “I’ll never get ahead”, “everyone else does it/is better than me”.
Negative thinking and past experience are probably the 2 biggest Confidence Zappers around. Overcoming negative thinking is not as easy as it sounds, just telling yourself to think positively does not always result in the belief that is necessary to make you feel better. Similarly, if a past experience was bad enough, no matter how much you tell yourself everything will be fine, there is still always that little element of doubt “what if”.
So we play it safe, avoiding risks, challenges and new situations, relationships may suffer as negative comments about yourself seem to be reinforced by how others treat you, and of course consistent lack of confidence leads to low self esteem and potentially poor health – all of which can have an impact on how we live our lives.
Why do negative emotional characteristics exist? We inherit certain personality traits just as we inherit certain physical features. The way we react to life's experiences leads to the development of emotional patterns of behavior.
Homeopathic remedies can assist people who want to work on their emotional, mental and spiritual growth and development. The remedies can help people who strive to achieve a more positive mindset and a feeling of well being. Negative moods, thoughts and actions can bring about imbalances. Personality traits, such as impatience, fear, depression, bitterness, lack of self-confidence or motivation affect a person's vitality and can adversely affect health.
Homeopathic remedies do not profoundly change the personality of the individual. It is individual differences which make life so rich. Homeopathic remedies help to restore balance within the personality. For example, a chronic worrier can become an occasional worrier, a highly critical and judgmental person can become more tolerant, and a person with a poor self-image can gain more self-confidence.
Dr. Shilpa Harwani
B.H.M.S.,M.D
Consulting Homoeopathic Psychiatrist
BGR MIND CLINIC
Chaporkar Complex (ground floor)
Rajkamal Chowk
Amravati
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
A number of clinical studies have confirmed what the acne sufferers and dermatologists alike have suspected about stress and acne: stress indeed does have a stimulatory effect on acne. Having established that, the next question is: how does stress affect acne? Before examining this, let us take a look at how stress affects skin in general
Skin and brain originates from the neuro-ectoderm during the embryonal stage. Skin, as the fifth sense organ is supplied by millions of nerve endings that are connected through the nervous system with the brain. Infact, it is only proper to state that skin indeed is an extension of the brain, the seat of our mental activities and the master controller of the body. Hence, any changes occurring in the nervous system and the brain can affect the skin in a number of complex psycho - neuro - immuno - hormonal pathways. Sebaceous gland, an important gland of the skin, naturally, is also affected by stress similarly
How Does Stress Affect Acne?
It has been hypothesized that stress, the modern day nemesis, can affect acne in three ways:
A period of continuous stress caninducea new eruption of acne
Acne, which is already present, issustained despite treatment and even become resistant to conventional therapies during an especially stressful period of time.
A sudden crisis in life,exacerbates the acne lesions already on the face.
Whether stress induces, maintains or exacerbates acne, the mechanism through which stress affects acne is still a matter of speculation. The following are the various hypotheses regarding the stress-acne relationship
The effects of stress on acne may be mediated through various pathways:
Stress-acne: Hormonal Causes.Stress through the stimulation of neuro-chemical pathways in the brain, stimulates release of various hormones from the pituitary and other endocrine glands. The release of androgen hormones are controlled by these master glands. Androgen hormones are the main perpetrators of sebaceous hyperactivity which is the most important factor in the causation of acne.
Stress-acne: Psychological Causes.Stress caused by anxiety due to acne eruptions and due to other causes induce teens to pick on the acne lesions leading to exacerbation of the lesions and scarring. This further increase the tension and the whole triggering cycle is repeated. In some acne sufferers the stress induces bulimia or overeating response leading to increase in the hormonal activities and new acne eruptions.
Stress- acne: Psycho-Social Causes.The self imposed social alienation because of facial disfigurement and perceived social stigma further add to the depression and anxiety and aggravate acne and related problems.
Stress- acne: Immunological Causes.Stress reduces immunity through its effect on the thymus gland which produces T cells that protects our body against invading germs. Reduced immune status leads to the multiplication of bacteria inside the sebaceous glands causing inflammation of the acne lesions.
Stress- acne: Chemical Mediators:Stress, through its activity on the autonomic nervous system and hormones stimulate the release of neuropeptide P and certain other chemical mediators which induce inflammation in the skin and pilosebaceous units, thus leading to formation of new acne lesions.
Stress- acne: Genetic Susceptibility:Some individuals are, through genetic predisposing characteristics, more stress prone than others and respond with increased sebaceous activity when under stress.
Stress- acne: Target Organ Theory:Different individuals respond to stress in different manner. Due to genetic and hereditary predisposition, living style, dietary habits, relaxation responses etc, certain organs in the body are more prone to be affected by stress induced structural and pathological changes. The weak, target organs are affected first, when the body is kept under stress mode for long. In some, it may be the heart, in some the brain, in some the immune system, and, in others, the skin in general or the pilo-sebaceous unit in particular. Thus their skin may respond to a particular stressor by producing more acne lesions!
The above review is sufficient to visualize the extend of stress-acne relationship.
There are still certain grey areas to be addressed on the topic of stress acne relationship:
It is still not clear up to what extend stress is responsible for acne in normal individuals
There are conflicting reports as to whether stress does really increase sebum secretion. More clinical and laboratory studies are required to straighten this issue out.
How much importance should be given for stress management in the management of acne?
All said and done, it is becoming increasingly evident that acne cannot be treated satisfactorily unless you combine anti acne therapy with an effective stress management program.
As mentioned earlier, any skin disease represents an internal turbulance be it the improper secreations of hormones or lowered immunity which attracts the bacterias and virus to cause skin lesions. So the homeopathic treatment aims to cure the internal turbulance and the cause behind the apparent disease..More often than not the external skin disease or any other visible disease is accompanied by a diseased state of mind e.g. lack of confidence, timidity, anxieties, fears, depression etc. Mind and body are a part of one indivisible unit. The way we behave, our temprament, emotional disturbances in life etc have a bearing on the physical being and leads to various ailments. A homeopathic remedy is selected considering the emotional state of the patient, the probable causative factors ( physical or mental), general state of body and all the diseased symptoms of the body. By rasing the immunity of the body same medicine is capable of eradicating various diseases present in the body at a time.
Dr.Shilpa Harwani
B.H.M.S.,M.D
Consulting Homoeopathic Psychiatrist
BGR Mind Clinic
Chaporkar Complex (ground floor)
Rajkamal chowk
Amravati
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Canadian homeopaths and homeopathic professional organizations are reeling from a one sided and unfair piece on homeopathy by the CBC television network. Not only that, they are questioning the unscrupulous methodology of producers of the show.
As the sales of homeopathic and aruvedic remedies increase faster than pharmaceutical drugs in strong economies like Brazil and India, conventional pharmaceutical companies have created and funded skeptic organizations like “Sense about Science” in western countries to discredit them. There are over 400,000 registered homeopaths in India with 13,000 new ones registering each year and more than 70,000 in Brazil.
Now a number of organizations directly funded by pharmaceutical companies have developed aggressive and hostile tactics to fight homeopathy and discredit its practitioners. Infiltrating conventional media sources is one method just as the head of one of the largest pharmaceutically sponsored organizations “Sense about Science” is a former public relations consultant for pharmaceutical companies.
In Canada, homeopathic practitioners are now being regulated in the province of Ontario by an act of provincial parliament. They are also being targeted by skeptic organizations. Producers at CBC Marketplace decided to do a show on it and took the skeptical premise that homeopathy was simply belief and unscientific, questioning the regulation and even what is in a homeopathic remedy.
Experienced Canadian homeopaths are complaining that these producers at this Canadian Broadcasting Corporation television show comprimised journalistic integrity by taking such a strong one sided point of view right from the beginning and to the very end.
As word of the show spread to the homeopathic community some organizations and homeopathic supporters contacted the producers and continued to discuss the show with them. The producers did not wish to have any experienced homeopaths on the show, (not asking the most experienced Canadian practitioners at all) but rather sought new and poorly trained homeopaths to be able to highlight their negative premise and create an aura of danger. Pro-homeopathy scientists, experienced practitioners and other journalists were frustrated in their attempt to give the producers positive information and emphasize its safety. The producers even ignored the body of scientific information and papers that demonstrate and scientifically prove homeopathic remedies are more than “sugar and water” or placebo. They sought opinions and gave final say from individuals who were well known skeptics and know little if nothing about homeopathy.
Homeopathy is a 200-year-old system of medicine used successfully by tens of millions daily worldwide, and the second most utilized complementary health discipline in the world. It has a laudable 200-year clinical record. There are literally hundreds of high quality basic science, pre-clinical and clinical studies showing it works.
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