This Monday, August 22, 2022, the medical appointment platform Doctolib suspended 17 profiles of naturopaths claiming to be Thierry Casasnovas and Irène Grosjean, two widely controversial personalities. The Miviludes (Interministerial Mission for the fight against sectarian aberrations) has also begun substantive work to combat therapeutic and sectarian aberrations “of certain unconventional practices” including naturopathy. The opportunity to take stock of this “traditional medical practice” with Stéphane Tetart, naturopath and author.
Naturopathy, what is it exactly?
Stephane Tetard. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines naturopathy as a “traditional medical practice”, in the same way as traditional Chinese medicine or Ayurveda. Naturopathy is however more recent since it was formalized in the 1900s.
While “classical” medicine aims to cure illnesses, naturopathy has a preventive objective: it is a question of using everything that Nature puts at our disposal to preserve the health of an individual and tend towards ” good shape”.
Moreover, naturopathy can complement “classic” medicine – which there is no question of ousting! In the case of cancer, for example, the patient must imperatively benefit from medical care (chemotherapy or radiotherapy, for example). Naturopathy can nevertheless intervene in addition to reduce side effects and maximize the effectiveness of the treatment. Ditto in the case of chronic illness (diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, etc.): naturopathy is added to medication to improve the daily well-being of the patient.
To improve our state of health, naturopathy begins by working on our lifestyle: we will focus on sleep, stress, food, physical activity… of the person. In a second step, the naturopath can offer food supplements and targeted therapies: essential oils, plants, acupuncture, energy treatments…
What is the legitimacy of naturopathy?
Stephane Tetard. The profession is not recognized in France: it is, however, in Germany. And if no scientific study categorically affirms that “naturopathy works”, many tools used by naturopaths have proven themselves through publications considered serious: this is the case with intermittent fasting, for example , whose benefits Science now recognizes. Ditto for certain plants whose health properties are today unanimously recognized by the health authorities.
Naturopathy is largely based on ancestral techniques, used successfully for millennia – such as acupuncture or yoga, for example. There is also a lot of common sense: naturopaths recommend drinking less alcohol, fighting stress, eating everything without excess… Nothing revolutionary!
On the other hand, with regard to energy techniques, indeed: to date, no scientific proof exists.
How to choose the right naturopath?
Stephane Tetard. The absence of a legal framework in France means that anyone can declare themselves a “naturopath” today. To choose your naturopath, trust the French Federation of Naturopathy : professionals certified “la Féna” have been trained in one of the 8 approved schools of the federation, share a common code of ethics and have taken an oath before their peers.
More generally, run away from pseudo-naturopaths who denigrate “classic” medicine and encourage you to stop your drug treatments, as well as those who wish to impose on you a way of life that is contrary to your values and/or your beliefs. Also, remember that naturopaths are not allowed to diagnose diseases.
Thanks to Stéphane Tetart, naturopath and co-author of My Bible of Naturopathic Secrets (Stéphane Tetart and Vanessa Lopez, ed. Leduc.S).
