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Can a licensed MD practice alternative medicine in the state of California? What about a RN or psychologist?
By 1a2b | February 22, 2012
Are there certain legal restraints for a board licensed physician that restrict him/her from practicing alternative medicine techniques such as naturopathy, nutritional medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, chiropractic manipulation, and energy healing ???
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5 Responses to “Can a licensed MD practice alternative medicine in the state of California? What about a RN or psychologist?”
Comments
February 22nd, 2012 at 1:16 am
The AMA establishes medical ‘protocol’ and any doctor that goes outside that risks the anger and abuse from other doctors., as well as sanctions, loss of license, and some jail and fines. So yes. Not likely nutritional , since that is seen as part of their jobs, and it depends on the state. So one has to find out what the state allows.
Pretty much anyone in any of those fields would know the basics at least.
Otherwise you could find out the regulating commitees and ask, or look up AmA regualtions for cA.
You could also contact the local universities, medical schools and ask faculty, or ask doctors at one of the schools. Look up ‘integrative’ medicine at a hospital, or ask a local physician. they know.
February 22nd, 2012 at 1:33 am
Herbal medicine is completely unregulated. You can be a high school dropout and stuff lawn clippings into capsules and call yourself an herbalist, or naturopath, or a traditional chinese medical practicioner, or energy healer. If an medical doctor wants to do any of these things, they are completely free to do so as long as it does not harm their patient. It can lead to serious lawsuits if they recommend untested methods over proven therapy, so many prefer to steer clear, but there is no law or rule that says they cannot.
Chiropractors have an academic program that leads to a Doctor of Osteopathy degree, and is very similar to medical school. They also can prescribe drugs like any other doctor. In fact, the chief of neurology at one place I worked was a DO. I have a low opinion of spinal manipulation, but there are many fine chiropractors.
February 22nd, 2012 at 1:59 am
You can do anything you want to do, it’s the closed minded doctors that are the ones that are going to be left behind as herbal and other alternative therapies become more and more popular.
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:24 am
I should hope not!
if the practices you speak of are regulated they would find it difficult. However what is Chiropractic technique?
HVT’s pre-date chiropractic or osteopathy by thousands of years. The issues are with Safety, insurance and title.
If you use manual techniques as long as you use them safely and have insurance to do so you can. You will ruffle a lot of feathers if you say something like “I’m using osteopathic / chiropractic / accupunture techniques” because you are implying you have had training or are skilled in a discipline you are not. Sticking needles in someone doesn’t make you an accupunturist. Doing Cervical manipulations does not make you a Chiropractor. There are much more to these disciplines than a few techniques.
Where there is not regulation anyone can practice as the title is not protected and there are no standards.
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:52 am
Can a licensed MD turn over to the dark side of quackery? Yes.