This year the  government has cut private health insurance cover  for over a dozen natural therapy modalities in light of them  supposedly having ‘no clear evidence demonstrating the efficacy of the excluded natural therapies.’  However, it appears evident that the scientific review that led to the health funding cuts was not conducted in the same way as a recently published systematic review by Southern Cross University, which focused on the evidence for whole-system, multi-modality naturopathic medicine worldwide. 

With an abundance of research on individual ‘tools of the trade’ (e.g. dietary supplements, herbs etc), but limited evidence evaluating the complexity of naturopathic care as a whole system,  the researchers sought to gather qualitative scientific evidence in naturopathic medicine as a modality, not on single treatment or preventative agents.

Reviewing research from America, Canada, Germany India, Australia, United Kingdom and Japan, across a range of chronic clinical conditions, they  discovered predominately positive results across cultures and health outcomes.

In clear contradiction of the review of naturopathy for the private health insurance reforms, the researchers concluded  that ‘To date, research in whole-system, multi-modality naturopathic medicine shows that it is effective for treating cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal pain, type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, depression, anxiety, and a range of complex chronic conditions.

Read Full Article >>
You will be redirected to Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers  >>
*Reference available on request