Question about Iridology in Children

Question: Can iridology be used on children? And are there any adjustments that need to be made? - MJ

Dear MJ,

Most definitely! It can be used in children the same as adults. The only adjustments that I make are:

1. I usually talk to the child or do something to distract them while I am looking at their iris. I instruct them to look right at my nose. With an adult I am usually more quiet.

2. I only look at each iris for about 10 seconds at a time. If I can I take a photo of the iris and then look after I take the photo. They usually won't stay still for the entire session so the photo helps.

That is all!

Blessings & Health,
Kristie

Questions for 203: 3, 4 and 5?

Dear Students,

A student wrote to me last week and asked for the quizzes/assignments for 203:3, 4 and 5.

Keep in mind that not all the chapters in each unit have an assignment. For this particular unit there is only one assignment and these chapters do not have assignments.

Please be sure to check the index of each unit to see if there are assignments listed or additional information. You can also check this BLOG for information on chapters that may have errors or new links or tips.

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND

Student Question: Forgotten Password?

Dear Students,

There are still a few students writing to me or submitting forms to the Bravenet service (which I only check once a month) for passwords.

Remember, if you have any trouble accessing the course or any trouble with any of the course materials you can check this BLOG for updates and Q & A from other students. If you ever forget your password -

Passwords for all the classes can always be found in the Yahoogroups FILES for that class. You can visit your Yahoogroups page, click on the group you want access to, go to the files section and your password will be there.

The password for the entire course (you only need one password) is located at:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Consultations701course/files/

Student Question: Combining Starches and Protein?

Question: For food combining. It says not to eat protein and starches together. We have always made supper as a meat, veggie and potatoe or rice. So that would be protein and starch. So what I am wondering is, how far apart do they have to be to be eaten? For example, if raw foods are eaten as a first course and then the meal and finish up with fruit as dessert, does that give sufficient time for things to be digested before the fruit is eaten, or should it be spaced out even more? The same goes with protein and starch. Could you eat raw foods, then some veggies and starch and then protein after, or should there be more time inbetween eating them both?

Answer:

The way of eating that you are talking about is part of an alkaline diet. Some doctors have made this diet famous by claiming that all people should eat using this method. This wouldn't hurt anyone, but it is not very realistic either, and does not take into account that all people have different needs and lifestyles.

I would suggest an alkaline diet for anyone who has an "acidic" lifestyle. This would include anyone who does heavy exercise or is training for sports, anyone who has a lot of stress in their life, anyone who drinks coffee or sodas or consumes fast foods or "junk foods" more than three times a week, etc...a full profile of what creates an acidic lifestyle can be found in the readings.

I also suggest that if someone is having a "highly acidic" day (one full of stress or a lot of exercise) that it would also be very helpful to follow a more alkaline diet that day.

If you have a vegetarian lifestyle, this diet is not as applicable because beans are proteins AND starches. This is another thing that confuses some people. A vegetarian's diet is naturally alkaline as long as they are eating whole foods and avoiding highly acidic foods such as coffee.

If you are eating healthy, whole foods and balanced meals that are minimally processed and generally include in-season produce, then that should be sufficient for the average person. It is only when our lives become unbalanced that we need to balance with strict diets - sometimes for long periods of time, sometimes for life, sometimes for short periods. It depends on the person and the situation.

One also needs to consider the amounts of protein being used. If you are using protein as a "flavor" rather than a main dish, this results in a more alkaline dish.

You are also correct in stating that if you take your time eating that the time in between your foods will be sufficient. If you finish a meal, you can have your desert or fruit about a half-hour later.

I hope this helps.

Blessings & Health,
Kristie

Student Question: Trouble Seeing Iris Patterns?

Question:
I am doing Iridology and am on the first assignment, looking at the iris' of 4 people. I was looking at my youngest girls eyes and found it difficult. I am wondering if it would be because she is only 5, or if it is possible that I am having trouble because of my own eyes. You see, I had a cataract in my left eye and have had surgery. I can see well with it, but I am wondering if that can cause trouble in looking in others eyes. I could see some markings in my daughters eyes, but I found it hard to be able to see if something is raised, etc.

Answer:
It is easier to see the portions of the iris that are raised by shining the penlight from the side of the head - this gives you more of a depth perspective. You can also take a picture of the iris with a digital camera - use different angles of light to do this - use sunlight or a very bright lamp from different angles so you get different views of the iris. Make sure you take visual note of the real colors as they will be distorted if you use a light source other than the sun or a flash. It is possible that your own vision makes it more difficult for you to see some of the iris signs. However, by changing the angle of light and viewing the iris with different lighting you should be able to compensate for this.

As an additional note, you did not say what color your daughter's eyes are. Some very dark brown eyes are difficult to see without first taking a photo or using a very bright light. Some eyes are so dark you cannot do a full iridology reading on them.

Hope this helps!

Blessings & Health,
Kristie

Student Question: Questions about the Temperaments

The following questions on the "Temperaments and Typology" unit were submitted by a student last week. They are VERY GOOD questions so I wanted to share them (and the answers) with you all. The questions are in black. My answers are in blue.


1.In your introduction to Unit 3:
You state that different societies had different humors and then you say that for Ayurveda there is just 3 elements. However, in the online link about unani tibb, they have a chart comparing the humors in different traditional healing methods and they list Ayurveda as using five elements just as TCM has 5 elements. I found another good article online which also states that Ayurveda includes 5 elements/humors and not 3. Yet I have read many times in the past about the 3 doshas. I am confused. Does Ayurveda use 5 elements like the online articles say or do they only use 3.


It is confusing because, you are right, Ayurveda recognizes five humors, but it does not use them in the same way Greek medicine or Unani Tibb does. It is misleading to put them on a chart in comparison. If you look into depth at Ayruveda they actually have more than 3 - but do not limit diagnosis to 5. Here is a summary of how they view the systems:

Panchamahabhuta or five basic elements:

The basic material constituents which exist in the universe and in man are called the Pancha-mahabhuta or five basic elements of Prithivi (Earth), Jala (Water), Teja (Fire), Vayu (Air), and, Akash (Ether). However these are not used in the same way Greek or Islamic medicine uses them. In Greek or The Medicine of Avicenna these are considered as the main forces for disease and healing. In Ayurveda these are viewed a bit differently and the divisions are different. Ayurveda does not view the body as "five elements" of disease and healing - but rather of seven basic tissues and three basic elements - that can then be further divided into 35 total elements of disease and healing. These are:

Dhatus:

The human body consists of seven basic and vital tissues called Dhatus. Dhatu means “constructing elements”. These seven are responsible for the entire structure of the body. They maintain the functions of the different organs, system and vital parts of the body. They play an important role in the development, nourishment and even protection of the body. Dhatus are the resultant materials of the functions of the three Humors. They are:

1. Rasa dhatu: predominates the “Jala (water) “Mahabhuta. Function: Prinana(Nurishment)
2. Rakta dhatu: predominates the “Tej (Fire)” Mahabhuta. Function: Jevana(Invigoration)
3. Mamsa dhuta: predominates the “Prithivi (Ether)” mahabhuta. Function: Lepana(holds skeleton)
4. Meda dhatu: predominates the “Jala (water) “Mahabhuta. Function: Snehan(Lubrication)
5.Asthi dhatu: predominates the Vayu and Prithivi. Function:Dharan(support)
6.Majjja dhatu: predominates the Akash Mahabhuta. Function: Purana(to fill the bones)
7.Shukra dhatu: predominates the Jala and Tej Mahabhutas. Function:Garva utpadan(reproduction)

Tridosha or Three Humors:

In Ayurdeda the basic elements of human body are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These are called Tridosha or three Humors. Our body is controlled and regulated by the coordinated and balanced functions of Tridosha. It helps the body to be alive. All the physical and mental functions of the body are governed by these three humors.


According to Ayurveda, various health problems are caused by an imbalance in at least one of the three humors. In Unani Tibb or Greek medicine it is thought that imbalance is caused by one of the five humors. It is a bit confusing that the translation of Dosha is humors in the same way they translate the word Panchamahabhuta (elements) of the body and the universe to mean "humors". They are different words in the Indian language and provide a subtle distinction. So the word Panchamahabhuta and the word Dosha are not the same but many articles you read in English translate both words to mean HUMORS. This is incorrect. Below you can see, however, they do further divide these Doshas...

Vata:
The physical characteristics of Vata are different from others. It is light, dry, mobile, cold, abundant, rough, swift etc. Its fundamental Elements are Ether (Akash) and Air (Vayu).


The physical functions are: it is responsible for body movement, speech, Blood circulation, breathing, Excretion, Brain functions, formation of fetus, sexual act, anxiety, grief. etc.
There are five types of Vata according to their characters and locations.
1.Prana Vayu
2.Udana Vayu
3. Vyana Vayu.
4.Saman Vayu.
5.Apan Vayu.

Pitta:
Pitta is hot like the basic element which is derived from Agni or fire. It is also characterized as being sharp, sour, pungent, fluid, soothing and mobile. It is responsible for vision, hunger, thirst, and digestion, the regulation of heat in the body, softness and luster in the complexion, cheerfulness, intellect, and sexual vigor.

There are five types of Pitta which were first indicated by Acharya Susruta.
1.Pachaka Pitta
2.Ranjaka Pitta
3.Sadhaka Pitta
4.Alochaka Pitta
5.Bhrajaka Pitta.

Kapha:
Kapha is also called Slesma, and is derived from the fundamental elements earth (Prithivi) and Water (Jala). It is smooth, cold, heavy, dull, and viscid.


Kapha constitutes the entire solid structure of the body. The functions of Kapha are unctuousness, binding, firmness, heaviness, sexual potency, strength, forbearance, restraint and the absence of grief. Kapha was also categorized into five divisions:

1.Avalambaka Kapha
2.Kledaka Kapha
3.Bodaka Kapha
4.Tarpaka Kapha
5.Shleshaka Kapha.

2. More confusion:
The assigned readings say that the humoral theory existed among Greeks even before the time of Hippocrates. So why is Hippocrates given credit as the originator of humoral theory in healing? Is it because he named 4 specific types and used them in a practical system? The text also says that Galen is the one who came up with the idea of 4 temperaments which correspond with the 4 elements/humors. Does that mean that during time of Hippocrates up until Galen, people were only focusing on the physical aspects of the humors and that Galen then originated and developed the system which used the humors to describe emotional/psychological traits?
This is important because Hippocrates lived about 6 hundred years before Galen.


People have used the humors in all their aspect probably farther back than history has recorded. However, this is a very typical and classical case of "the historical credit problem". This is a problem I try to point out frequently during the course but I do not always suceed in doing so enough. The problem is that all medical and healing traditions are actually discoveries of many different people or peoples. Many of these traditions have been used for hundreds of years before someone "took credit". However history always gives credit to the person who was able to define the tradition and write it down. So credit for iridology is given to the first person who created a chart. Credit for reflexology is given to the first person to create the zone system. Credit in homeopathy is given to the person who created a comprehensive book of all the remedies. In some ways this credit is deserved - the person was usually responsible for A: Defining the tradition in a way everyone could understand so that it had more chance of surviving over time and being taught to more people and B. Expanding and devloping the tradition beyond what it was. In the case of homeopathy it had been used before but nobody (that we know of) had taken the time to test so many rememedies before., Hahnemann was amazing in this respect. However, in reality the system of any healing tradition cannot be attributed to one person.



3. In the reading from the columbia encyclopedia source, it lists winter as the corresponding season for the phlegmatic type which does not seem right because phlegmatic types are considered cold and moist which fits more with autumn and melanchoic fits more with winter because it is marked by cold/dry qualities which fits winter best. what do you think?


Corresponding the humors can be confusing! I can often see how one or more types could fit in each season, in each character, etc...but ultimately you are looking for the basic characteristic of the person or season. Autumn definately has a DRY dominant side because the leaves fall in the Autumn and are dry. The earth is dry. However, phlegmatic is very wet. So they cannot go together. Winter is actually very moist because of the snow and ice that is classic of a traditional winter. However, one interesting thing about modern times that I noticed - since we use heaters in our homes we have actually created a very cold and dry environment for winter. I think this is responsible for a lot of the health problems we have in the winter. We are not allowing our bodies to cycle through the natural seasons and we are making a "wet" season into a "dry" one.

To see more student questions and information be sure to check out the student BLOG index from time to time! I will send the index in the next e-mail for those of you who receive the BLOG via E-mail.

Student Question: Help with Clients or Extra Work

Dear Students,

I just wanted to remind all students that my commitment as your teacher in this course is to maintain the course, take care of tech support problems and give you feedback on quizzes, tests and exams.

If you need help with clients, advice on clients, feedback on papers or articles, or other extra advice, please join the consulting list at : www.HerbnHome.com

This list has been open since June 2008 and has been useful to many students, clients and members. Some e-mails I have received lately have indicated that there are some students who are not aware of this other list, or who didn't receive the original announcements in June and August 2008.

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND

Student Question: What do I do on an assginment if I don't have clients?

This should really come under the heading of student dialogue since I took this from a test and I answered it in my feedback. However, I feel it will be more useful to students if I file it in "student questions". This student has brought up some good points and has come up with her own good solutions. However, some students may be asking themselves these same questions now and not be able to come up with solutions. I hope this can help those students. This is our dialogue"

Student: This is my submission for lesson 201-4. This one was not easy since I don't have 'clients', so I interviewed relatives for the class lesson.

This is what you are supposed to do. Some students use clients because they have them, but the assignment is to use friends or family that you know. So this is correct.

Nobody was sick at the time, so I interviewed them about 'past' illnesses for which they were treated by medical doctors - way late in the illness because they didn't have insurance.

This is also perfect! When I ask students to evaluate I want them to show that they understand the material and not that they have the sickest friends or family or the best clinic. If needed, I can even send you some “pretend clients”. However, I do find that it makes it more “real” and you learn more if you work with people who are close to you in some way.

Student Question: Can you help me with this client iris reading?

One of them has better lighting than the other, but thought you might could pull from both. In the one you can see the white color in the ring. It might be a nerve ring. Also, is the dark area around the scurf ring ..........a scurf ring or is that circulation related??? it goes in so much deeper in that area than any other place. Anything you find helpful throw in if you don't care.........When I get to drive down and see my iridologist she helps me, but she is 200 miles away. I am a visual learner if that makes sense...........I take pictures of the eyes I look at and them study them. Thank you in advance for your time. Do you have a fee for like if I sent you a pic of an eye and you help me with it........I don't mind paying you for your time. - J (photos attached)

Dear (J),

Ah-ha! Now I see what you are talking about. I do see the white on the nerve ring. The nerve ring itself is white and extending a little bit into the "near-the-pupil" area. This indicates nerve inflammation or nerve stress. So this person could be under stress of some sort - physically or emotionally.

The darkness around the outer rim IS a surf rim - yes.

I hope this helps. I still have the photos if you have more questions about them or if I was not looking at the right place and answered the wrong question or something.

You also asked about fees for helping you read the iris photos. I don't have a fee per reading but I am answering all consulting questions now at the new group described at:

www.HerbnHome.com

A couple other students have joined that group so they can get on-going consulting help with their clients or iris readings. It would be great to have you on the group. Everyone there would LOVE to see your photos and questions!

I am sending everyone one free mini-consultation (like this) with this reminder since this is a new list and not everyone is aware of it yet.

Of course, I am still answering questions about assignments on the list for students.

Blessings & Health,
Kristie

Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND Naturopathic Doctor, Master Herbalist, Waldorf Teacher, ArtistHealing through art, herbs and education since 1989 at www.TheDreamAngels.com

Student Question: Books on the History of Naturopathy?

Just wondering. I have only done so far, 3 or the herb classes and am trying to work through the Iridology and am going to go back to the Nutrition. Just wondering. In any of the classes, do you cover Naturopathic history, philosophy and principles? If not, do you have any information on this? Thanks, J

Dear J,

I do have a wonderful old book written on the topic that I downloaded offline. I will send it to you...skim it and tell me how close it is to what you need. Then I can send you more links depending on what you say. There are so many books on the topic it is hard to tell what you might enjoy reading. There are also many many historical fiction books on the topic that I have greatly enjoyed. Have you read "The Physician" by Noah Gordman? The history of medicine in it is very accurate and the book is amazing.

I will send you the other book in the next e-mail so if you don't receive it please tell me.

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND

www.TheAvicennaInstitute.com

How Many Credit Hours for the Courses?

I hope everything is going good with your new computer.
Just wondering. Do you know how many hours you Naturopathic program is?
I will have enough education in total (I believe, someone is about to look over all my work) to register as a Doctor of Natural Medicine. I am including that I am working on your program, so they want to know how many hours all my programs are, so I thought I would include that as well.

Thanks, J

Dear J,

You can see details about the course credit hours here:

http://naturopathichealing.weebly.com/credit-hours.html

Blessings & Health,

Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND

Student Letter: How do I do consulting?

I still have to finish the Nutrition course (stopped because was having trouble in understanding, but now that you have added the video, I am excited to be able to try again.
What I am wondering is, as you know I have completed a MH program and a Nutrition & Diet Therapy Specialist program, and I am doing my clinical for my Homeopathic Practitioner program as well as the Rosemary Gladstar Herbalist program. The problem is that, I don't feel that my MH program gave me a good enough consultation info. My Homeopathic program teaches that, but again, I am still not feeling as good as I hoped, mostly I believe because I have only worked with my family so far, but still. My Nutrition program defintely didn't teach consults, I also feel it didn't teach anything about taking what a persons current diet is and then determining a healthy diet for them. So, I am wondering if your Nutrition course teaches how to take a persons diet and determine what the appropriate health diet for them is. As well, is there a course on how to do a consult and intake? Although I have learned this, I want to learn more about it because I am very uneasy about this part. I am ok with working with family, but am not confident for me starting my practice to work with non-family.
Thanks, J

Dear J,

I have an entire unit on consulting which I have been considering making part of every unit of the course. Right now it is part of the ENTIRE naturopathic healing course. It is Unit 12. I also feel that this is a very important aspect of learning - you can learn as much as you want, but learning HOW to apply that is very important.

I am not sure if you have access to unit 12 right now. However, I would be happy to give you access (as some time in the next year I will be adapting it to go with every course anyway) and I would appreciate having some feedback from someone with your experience. I have designed the consultation part of the course to give people confidence with consulting and to give them a lot of resources and ideas about how to consult. However, I would appreciate hearing if it actually does accomplish that and if not, how I could improve it.

So, if you have access to unit 12, we can work on that together. If you don't, please tell me, and I will send it to you.

Additionally, when I was first starting out I was in a similar situation. I found I had completed a lot of courses but was not sure how to go about consulting. What you have learned in the homeopathic program might not be enough, but it will help you. It helped me get a base to build on.

Other things that helped me were learning iridology (this is entirely a diagnostic method) and studying typololgy and temperaments as an entire unit of study. Both of these methods helped me immensely in evaluating and seeing clients and their needs.

Blessings & Health,

Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND

STUDENT QUESTION: The Energetic Properties of Herbs?

Dear Kristie,
For some reason, I cannot quite understand what you want here. Can you rephrase it or give me an example?

Assignment 201:2

1. Using the first article please list 2 ways you can decide what herb to use by knowing it’s energetic properties. List 2 more ways you can decide NOT to use an herb by knowing it’s energetic properties.

Blessings, R

Dear R,

A simple example would be if you know an herb has an energetic property of cooling you might choose it to use for a fever. If you know an herb has an energetic property of heating you would know NOT to use to for a fever or for anyone who was anxious, or for someone with a choleric (fire) personality or condition.

Hope this helps!

Blessings & Health,
Kristie

Student Question: Where is my password?

Hello I know you are busy and I do n ot expect a response very quick! But wanted to ask, I did the enrollment and I have not gotten a password! I was in the student lounge trying to fingure all this out and came across this I will paste it so I do not mess it up! Off the course link. - V

Dear Vickie,

This is an easy question so I can answer quickly. It is those long or multiple questions that I need to file and save for "student office hours" on Fridays but usually short questions get an answer within an hour or two.

When you enroll in the payment plan for the course you are enrolled in each unit as your payments clear. So you are enrolled in the Iridology portion now (as per your request). When the next payment for the course is made then you will be enrolled in the next unit (you choose) and so on....

To access the links you must first be a member. You should be a member of the iridology group so you should be able to press on those links and they will take you to the Yahoogroups associated with those files. E-books, guides, charts, tests, assignments and all audio and visual are there too.

Once you link to the page Yahoogroups will ask you for your Yahoogroups password. If you do not remember it then you can contact Yahoogroups help for a "lost password" and they will assist you.

Tests are either at the end of the readings or in another file at the same location. Some units have one test and some have up to 5 assignments/tests.

I hope this helps! If not, you can write me back with more questions.

Blessings & Health,
Kristie

STUDENT LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Assignments for Classes?

Kristie,

This may be a silly question but I can't figure out the testing/quiz procedure. I did find and complete the first tests for both the Aromatherapy and Reflexology courses. Do you email subsequent tests after you grade the first ones or are they in the files under the course listing and I'm just overlooking them?

Thank you, S

Dear S,

No question is silly! From my end sometimes I think I am explaining things so clearly but the feedback I get sometimes tells me I am not...so...All the quizzes and tests and assignment are IN the Yahoogroups files section with the reading assignments. Some chapters and units have more assignments and some have fewer assignments. Once you finish a test you can go ahead and complete the next one. You can work at your own pace and you don't need to wait for me.

However, I have a "Student Day" every Friday, so if you don't get your work back (with corrections or comments) by Friday, please tell me because I may not have received it.

Thank you for asking.

Blessings & Health,
Kristie

WHAT do those initials mean? MH? ND? DS?

A lot of people ask me what the letters behind my name mean. I know what MINE mean, but I have to admit I need a guide when it comes to other people's "initials". Just in case you were wondering here is MY guide:


Common Initials and Abbreviations for Licensed Holistic Practitioners
A.C.S.W. - Academy of Cert. Social Work Ac.T. - Acupuncture TherapistA.H.P. - Advanced Hellerwork PractitionerA.P. - Acupuncture PhysicianAPP - Associate Polarity Practitioner (through American Polarity Therapy Association)ATT - Alexander Technique TeacherA.T.C. - Cert. Athletic TrainerB.C.D. - Board Cert. DiplomateB.S. - Bachelor of ScienceB.Sc.N. - Bachelor of Science in NursingB.W.T. - Body Work TherapistBSW - Bachelor's Degree in Social WorkC.A. - Cert. AcupuncturistC.A.T. - Cert. Alexander TeacherCBP - Certified BodyTalk PractitionerC.B.M.C.P.T. - Cert. Body/Mind Center Practitioner TeacherC.F.N.P. - Cert. Family Nurse PractitionerC.F.P. - Cert. Feldenkrais PractitionerC.H.I.C. - Certified Hudson Institute Coach - a Certification for coaching adults and their organizational systems given by the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara, CA C.H.T. - Cert. HypnotherapistCHTP - Certified Healing Touch PractitionerC.I.Y.I. - Cert. Iyengar Yoga InstructorC.I.H. - Certified Intuitive Healer (Through the Stillpoint Institute of Advanced Energy Healing and Intuitive Diagnosis)CIMI - Certified Infant Massage Instructor (International Assn Infant Massage)C.M.A. - Cert. Movement AnalystC.M.T. - Cert. Massage TherapistCNHCP - Certified Natural Health Care PractitionerC.N.P. - Cert. Nurse PractitionerC.N.M.T. - Cert. Neuromuscular TherapistC.P.C. - Cert. Professional CounselorC.P.S.I. - Cert. Practitioner of Structural IntegrationC.P.T. - Cert. Physical TherapistC.P.T.A. - Cert. Physical Therapy AssistantC.R. - Cert. RolferC.T.R. - Connective Tissue RegenerationCST - Cert. In CranioSacral Therapy, Techniques LevelCST-D - Cert. In CranioSacral Therapy, Diplomate LevelC.T.A.T. - Cert. Teacher of Alexander TechniqueC.T.P. - Cert. Trager PractitionerD.Ac. - Doctor of AcupunctureD.C. - Doctor of ChiropracticD.C.A. - Doctor of Chiropractic AssistantDCH - Doctor of Clinical HypnotherapyD.D.S. - Doctor of Dental SurgeryD.O. - Doctor of OsteopathyDSMT - Dar' Shem Master TeacherF.N.P. - Family Nurse PractitionerH.H.P. - Holistic Health PractitionerI.B.C.L.C. - International Board Cert. Lactation ConsultantIr. - IridologistLic. Ac. (or L.Ac.) - A state-established title indicating "licensed acupuncturist." In the United States independent acupuncture licensure is established in nearly all states. Though regulations vary from state to state licensure is almost always based on 1) graduation from an accredited 4-year college, institute and 2) passing the national certification examination (NCCAOM) in acupuncture, Chinese herbology or both. Independent practice of acupuncture is a very diverse field with practitioners of many varied backgrounds, styles of training, and specialty. Most hold a Masters in Acupuncture/Oriental Medicine or a Master's-equivalent Diploma in Acupuncture.L.C.S.W. - Licensed Social WorkerL.M.P. - Licensed Massage PractitionerLMT - Licensed Massage TherapistL.P.N. - Licensed Practical NurseL.Psy. - Neurophysiological PsychiatryL.P.T. - Licensed Physical TherapistL.P.T.A. - Licensed Physical Therapy AssistantM.A. - Master of ArtsM.C.S. - Master in Communications StudiesM.D. - Medical DoctorM.Ed. - Master of EducationM.H. - Master HerbalistMPT - Master's Degree in Physical TherapyM.S. - Master of ScienceMSHSA - Master of Science in Health Services AdministrationMs.T. - Massage TherapistM.S.W. - Master of Social WorkM.T. - Massage TherapistMSW - Master's Degree in Social WorkNADA - National Acupuncture Detox Association, which certifies teachers of detox acupuncture.NCCAOM - National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, an independent, non-political testing agency based on Washington, DC, providing basic standards for the acupuncture, asian herbology and asian bodywork professions. NCCAOM's testing services are in use internationally, and provide the basis for state licensure within the US. A NCCAOM Diploma (also Dipl. AC & CH, Dipl. NCCAOM, etc.) indicates the acupuncturist has achieved the NCCAOM national certification in acupuncture (AC), and/or asian herbology (CH).ND -Doctor of Naturopathy N.M.T. - Neuromuscular TherapistO.M.M. - Specialist in Osteopathic Manipulative MedicineO.M.D. - Doctor of Oriental MedicineO.T. - Occupational TherapistO.T.C. - Occupational Therapist, Cert.O.T.R. - Occupational Therapist, RegisteredP.A. - Physician’s AssistantP.C.C. - Professional Certified Coach of the ICF-International Coach Federation (The only Professional Org certifying Coaches)Ph.D. - Doctor of PhilosophyP.P. - Polarity PractitionerP.T. - Physical TherapistP.T.A. - Physical Therapy AssistantRM - Reiki MasterR.M.T. - Registered Massage TherapistRN - Registered NurseRPP - Registered Polarity Practitioner (through American Polarity Therapy Association)R.P.T. - Registered Physical TherapistR.S.M.T. - Registered Somatic Movement TherapistRYT - Registered Yoga TeacherSEP - Somatic Experiencing Practitioner S.P. - Speech PathologistS.L.P. - Speech Language PathologistS.T. - Somatic TherapistZ.B. - Zero Balancing Practitioner

How to Change Your E-mail for the Course

The way to change your address for the course is to go into your Yahoogroups and then enter the group you want to change the address for and press on "Edit Membership" in the upper left hand part of the page. Once you enter that page it will give you the option to change your e-mail address.

For example: To change your E-mail address for the main group you can link directly to:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/naturopathichealingcourse/join

It is a pretty quick operation. However, from my end it is a little more complex and can often cause problems in your account so I recommend if any student wants to change their e-mail that they enter their account (s) and use the method I described above.

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND

LETTERS TO PROFESSOR: Homeopathy Resources?

Good Morning,
I would like to start off by saying Thank You for what you are doing. This course has gotten me more involved and heightened my interest and desire by 1000%. Thank you again.

I downloaded approximately 120 or so cases to review, and wow was I overwhelmed. I have read the Organon twice, and realized that is not enough, I have read Kent Lectures, among many many other articles of info. I have also helped some friends with situations and have appeared to done well. The cases, though, that I have downloaded seemed particularly difficult for me. I spent lengthy time and energy reviewing and searching beyond my books for better references, and I even began to feel that maybe I wasn't intelligent enough to be in this line of work. So after great agg. I decided that I must be missing something.
For example, the first case I worked on was a case of Chronic Appendicitis, and the first thing that I noticed was the description of where the complaint was. Now I have not yet gone to my medical books that I have been investing in so that I might have more knowledge of the description of diseases, but I found it interesting that the remedy that was prescribed appeared to have taken what I would call an excessive amount of time to provide relief. I explored the case with the info I had avail from what is transcribed in the case and something didn't just sit right, First, was that in my MM by Clark it appears that Merc is Extreme pain, boring pain, and in this case the patient mentioned that it was aching, mild. Now I am not claiming that I have all the answers, but in the Organon I cannot get it from my mind "The highest ideal of cure is rapid, gentle ..;.." 4 months until reaching 90% relief isn't very rapid. Maybe I expect too much.
Well I went through the case, and came up with other remedies that could be suitable, but there seemed to be some info missing, like there wasn't enough.... Never the less I chose a slightly different remedy, Merc-c, without knowing if the patient was tender to the touch. Merc c works with much greater rapidity of action. Now this is only based upon what I have before me, and still something doesn't sit right with me, the concern that the pain of the patient was described as being "Upper R abdomen" and "remained localized to this paricular region only." The remedy appears mostly to be chosen upon the X-ray.... So this confused me.
Anyway I found this a little challenging, also the case of warts there was a choice of three remedies that I was able to find with the info before me, and I chose the one different than the prescriber because of a like, she liked sweets very much, and the remedy that was chosen doesn't.
Now I was getting very frustrated, not coming to the same conclusions... Finally I went on to a case of Genital Herpes, and through the methods of reportising I learned from Kents works I was actually able to come to the same conclusion. Whew! I was beginning to give up all hope.
Well I was finding more and more of the cases that seemed to be short on info and great on babble... Then I decided to start to begin and compare with some of Kents cases, and low and behold I found that I was doing remarkably well, I am able to follow through, using the keynotes and symptoms and coming to the same same answers as Kent, this began my excitement again. Now I have reviewed 4 cases from Kent and have only found one where there were two remedies given, one which was of great east to determine, the other, only after looking in the MM, was I able to understand more the importance to knowing the materia medica, was a diuretic and I immediately understood why Kent prescribed that also.
After all that I have read, I feel that the last case of tumor from kent was much easier than the first case of appendicitis. I followed Kents methods and was able to gain confidence that through methodical research of the patient, and not getting exhausted from writing out all the remedies and looking at each on, that I am capable of finding the picture. It also becomes very very clear to me that when one doesn't do an adequate case taking that it is highly possible to get a remedy that may or may not work and the more information, the more peculiarities, the better the chances for finding the simillium and "removing the symptoms from the patient, thus curing the disease as it is termed."
My desire to become a Homeopath is far greater than anything I have ever expected, and with learning through case histories I can see the importance of being patient, of listening, of being truely unjudgemental for what is put before me.
Thank you again and certainly hope that I didn't go on too much.
PS, I have also had a little difficulty getting through to the website: http://herbnites.tripod.com/homeopathy.html for the Quiz for finding your Homeopathic Type.
Thanks again
Gene

Dear Gene,

Thank you for your long letter and great (and positive is always a great bonus) feedback. What you have experienced is part of the learning process. However, to make it less painful I might want to send a message to students mentioning that not all homeopaths come to the same conclusions, sometimes there IS more than one remedy that works, and sometimes it is OK to use more than one if you are unsure. I am glad you were able to sync with Kent eventually, he is the classic in the feild and his work is one of the most respectable and classic in the field. I was not clear from your letter, were the initial problems you were having with another homeopath's cases or were they with the Kent cases? Yes! I agree that 4 months is too much to wait for the appendix pain. They should have given some sort of acute remedy before they gave the chronic one.

You sound like you are really enjoying homeopathy. If you feel, as time goes on, that this is the focus you want to pursue I would recommend investing in a program that helps you shorten the diagnostic process. Also (I don't know if I mentioned this in the coursework yet) you can visit www.abchomeopathy.com and it helps shorten the process of finding remedies. Of course, you stil need to "know what you are doing" and cross-reference, but it does make the entire process a little less frustrating. It really sounds like you are doing amazing work so far.

As for the link - did you submit information and press "submit"? If so, can you please do it again and then e-mail me after? I didn't know who was submitting information. For some reason I have not included e-mail address on the form so I didn't know who to send the evaluation back to! Sorry! I will also try to repair the form so next time I know who is sending information and how to contact them.

I hope I answered all your questions. If not, just e-mail me back or ask more questions (that is fine too). I will get to the "repairs" I mentioned above as soon as possible.

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND