SNH103......Medical Jurisprudence - Trinity School of Natural Health

medical laws were generally too broad and that the taking of medical histories, examining parts
of the human body and the making of nutritional suggestions did not constitute the practice of
medicine in the state of Indiana.
Generally, a medical license gives the right to examine, diagnose, prescribe, administer, or
dispense to the licensee. Also, such activities as treating with any substance, drug, medicine,
appliance, cast, or operation, a bodily condition (wound or fracture included) or disease is
forbidden to all who do not hold a license. To hold oneself out to the public as a doctor with the
use of the words or letters “Dr.”, “Doctor”, “M.D.”, “D.D.S.”, “Ph.D.”, “Pod.D.”, “D.C.”,
“Physician”, or any other designation or title, which may suggest that the individual is engaged
in the practice of medicine, is illegal for anyone who is not licensed.
Placing a finger, hand, or object in any orifice of the body may constitute the practice of
medicine in some states. In one state, it is difficult to get a tattoo since only a medical doctor can
do the procedure because it involves breaking the skin. Each natural health counselor/ advisor
should become aware of the laws concerning medical practice in his or her state and abide by
those laws. Such information is generally available at any public library in a major city.
What Can a Natural Health Counselor/ Advisor Do
The field is wide open. You can use the title “Dr.” if you have earned the designation, as long as
you can clearly state just what kind of “Dr.” you are. It is perfectly legal to use the designation
“Dr.” as long as you do not lead people to believe you are a medical doctor. ALWAYS state
what you do! Use the descriptive works “Nutritional Advisor”, “Natural Health Counselor” or
other terms designed to make sure that people do not think you are a medicinal doctor.
Naturopaths may use the terms “Dr.” as long as they tell what kind of doctor they are. A
Naturopath should use a descriptive title attached to his name every time it appears in print. He
or she may use “Dr.” or “N.D.” but MUST ALWAYS tell what the designation means –
Alternative Health Counselor, Naturopathic Health Advisor, Nutritional Counselor, etc.
Words Are Powerful
A natural health counselor/ advisor should use terminology which will keep him or her in good
standing with the law. Certain words should never be used. Never name a disease – most
diseases are simply the names of the various symptoms in Greek. For example, a person with a
pain in the first joint of his or her finger may go to a physician for a diagnosis and be told that he
or she has arthritis (arthro = having to do with the joints; it is = meaning pain or inflammation).
The person who comes to you for advice is never a patient but rather a client. You cannot
advise, diagnose, prescribe or treat. You cannot cure anything. (Most natural health advocates
do not believe in cures anyway as the body will heal from the inside out, and we have confidence
in the body’s natural ability of self-restoration given the proper environment.) All of the above
is exclusive prerogative of the medical licensee.
The best way to obtain information from your client is to ask questions. If the client tells you of
his or her condition and names a disease that is okay. You are not the one who diagnosed the
4