Hello, benny99!
I have compiled some information on the acceptance of alternative
medicine in France, the use of homeopathic treatment, some other
non-conventional approaches in the medical arena and a series of
conferences which touch on alternative medicine. Information
concerning alternative medicine in France is hard to pinpoint without
a definitive area of interest. If you are interested in a particular
niche in the alternative medical field and would like to pose a
second, very specific question, it might be easier to find information
about how to set up a practice (or at least give you some references
to practicing consultants who you might contact).
================================================
THE ACCEPTANCE OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE IN FRANCE
================================================
From "The Present Status of Homeopathy Internationally," by Dana
Ullman, MPH Homeopathic Educational Services (1995)
http://www.homeopathic.com/articles/intro/international_h.php
"According to recent surveys in France, an astounding 40% of the
French public have used homeopathic medicines, and 39% of French
physicians have prescribed them. At least six French medical schools
offer courses leading to a degree in homeopathy, and homeopathy is
taught in all pharmacy schools and in four veterinary schools."
"In a prominent French news magazine President Francois Mitterand and
six medical school deans called for more research on homeopathy, and
the author of this article editorialized, "It is a fact that
homeopathy obtains results, sometimes spectacular results."
"One further bit of evidence for the growing acceptance of homeopathic
medicines as a household items in France is that the most popular cold
and flu medicine is not Contact or any other conventional drug; it is
a homeopathic remedy."
===
From "Homeopathy." Mother Nature.com
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/bookshelf/Books/46/18.cfm
"Around 40 percent of British, French and Dutch doctors use
homeopathy, and one in five German doctors do. Other surveys indicate
that 25 to 56 percent of Belgian, French, British, Dutch and Danish
people use homeopathy, in addition to significant numbers of people in
Sweden, Italy, India, Mexico, South America and the former Soviet
Union."
===
"The role of complementary and alternative medicine," by E. Ernst. BMJ
2000;321:1133-1135 ( 4 November)
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/321/7269/1133
"A recent telephone survey on the use of complementary and alternative
medicine in the United Kingdom yielded a one year prevalence of 20%.
Herbalism, aromatherapy, homoeopathy, acupuncture, massage, and
reflexology were among the most popular. This level of use may seem
impressive but, compared with other countries, it is low (figure).
National differences are difficult to interpret. To some they indicate
that in the United Kingdom complementary and alternative medicine will
grow
*** to match its popularity in Germany or France, where, contrary to
the United Kingdom, it is mostly practised by medically trained
doctors."
===
From "Alternative Medicine: Why So Popular?" by Hans R. Larsen.
International Health News.
http://www.yourhealthbase.com/almerewb.pdf
"The trend to alternative medicine is repeatedthroughout Western
society. In Australia 57 percent of the population now use some form
ofalternative medicine, in Germany 46 per centdo, and in France 49 per
cent do."
===
"Naturopathy: the healing game." Tiscali Europe
http://europe.tiscali.co.uk/lifestyle/report/200206/12/naturopathy.html
Naturopathy uses nature itself for the healing process: for instance,
it can cure or alleviate symptoms of tiredness, rheumatism,
indigestion, stress and blood pressure problems. It uses nature itself
by working with nutrition, hydrotherapy, detoxification and physical
therapy.
These techniques are found throughout the world and in every corner of
Europe, with Germany, the UK, France and Holland at the forefront.
Most of the treatment is reimbursable under national or private health
insurance
French practitioners have special status and work within a special framework.
===
From "Complementary and Alternative Medicine." Onconurse.com
http://www.onconurse.com/news/alternative.html
"Some standard practices in the healing systems of China or India are
considered alternative practices in the US. Standard therapy varies
from country to country.
** In her book, "Medicine & Culture: Varieties of Treatment in the
United States, England, West Germany, and France", Lynn Payer observes
that the French prefer gentler forms of medical therapies."
==
From "Some may think it's all hocus pocus...Guess again," by Andrea
Bilash (1997) http://www.exn.ca/Stories/1997/03/03/03.asp
Aromatherapy in France:
"Aromatherapists use essential oils in three different ways to heal
the mind and the body. First, essential oils are used internally.
Although it is not legal to do so here, in France, essential oils are
prescribed by doctors and injested. This is called medical or clinical
aromatherapy. The oils have a physical reaction on the system. French
doctors may prescribe peppermint to treat food poisoning."
====================================
THE PRACTICE OF HOMEOPATHY IN FRANCE
====================================
From "A survey of 10 countries where homeopathy is being practised."
(This report has been produced by NHL homeopaths Brit Finne and Petter
Viksveen, The Committee for Foreign Affairs, Norwegian Homeopathic
Association (Norske Homeopaters Landsforbund), March 1999.)
http://www.homeopathy-ecch.org/survey.html
3.6 France
-----------
1. Do patients have the right to freely choose non-conventional treatment?
Yes.
The practice of homeopathy is linked to the practice of conventional
medicine, which is ruled by the "code de la santé publique" (public
health code).
==
2. Do homeopaths have any official recognition?
No.
Only medical doctors, veterinarians, dentists and midwives may treat
patients. However, anyone of these may practice homeopathy, even
without a diploma.
==
3. Is the title "homeopath" protected?
No.
Only medical doctors (24), veterinarians, dentists and midwives may
treat patients. However, anyone of these may practice homeopathy, even
without a diploma. Since 1974 a medical doctor may advertise using the
title "orientation : homéopathie". (25)
==
4. Are homeopaths organised (associations, education and training, etc.)?
Yes.
There are several associations, but it is not compulsory to be
registered with an association for homeopaths. A total of 18 000
general physicians (32% of the total number of GPs in France), 700
veterinarians (10%) and 2 000 dental surgeons (5%) prescribe
homeopathic medicines in France. (26) 3 000 of the general physicians
use the title "orientation : homéopathie". (27)
There are two ways of getting a homeopathic education, in private
schools and in universities.
Some of the private schools are run by manufacturers (Boiron,
Dolisos), others not (INHF Paris, GEHU Paris, INHF Grenoble, INHF
Toulouse, INHF Frejus).
7 universities organise a one-year post-university cycle, with a
diploma on completion (Lille, Limoges, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier,
Strasbourg, and Toulouse).
7 schools of medicine organise a three-year training cycle which ends
with the obtaining of a university diploma (D.U. in Homeopathy)
(Besancon, Bordeaux, Lille, Limoges, Marseille, Paris-Bobigny,
Poitiers). (27)
Four French schools of veterinary medicine provide structured training
in homeopathy (Lyon, Maisons-Alfort, Nantes, and Toulouse).
==
5. Who has the right to practise homeopathy?
Medical doctors, veterinarians, dental surgeons and midwives are
allowed to treat patients and therefore also to practise homeopathy.
A total of 18 000 general physicians (32% of the total number of GPs
in France), 700 veterinarians (10%) and 2 000 dental surgeons (5%)
prescribe homeopathic medicines in France. (26)
Total annual expenditures for homeopathic treatment (fees,
prescriptions, pharmacy) are 1 366 million Francs, compared to 2 380
million Francs for other GPs. (28)
==
6. Are there any laws restricting the practice of homeopathy?
No.
Not apart from the fact that only medical doctors, veterinarians,
dental surgeons and midwives may treat patients.
==
7. Is homeopathic treatment integrated within the national health care system?
No.
However, a total of 18 000 general physicians (32% of the total number
of GPs in France), 700 veterinarians (10%) and 2 000 dental surgeons
(5%) prescribe homeopathic medicines in France (JIM Minowski, 1989).
Total annual expenditures for homeopathic treatment (fees,
prescriptions, pharmacy) are 1 366 million Francs, compared to 2 380
million Francs for other GPs. (28)
65% of expenses for homeopathic medicines are refunded provided they
are not in Korsakovian dilution's or in LM potencies. 65% of fees for
medical consultations can be refunded depending on the agreement a
medical doctor has. Refunding is not for homeopathic treatment, but
for the consultation the doctor has with the patient.
==
8. Does any kind of co-operation and/or system for referral of
patients exist between officially recognised medical practitioners and
homeopaths?
No.
However, a total of 18 000 general physicians (32% of the total number
of GPs in France), 700 veterinarians (10%) and 2 000 dental surgeons
(5%) prescribe homeopathic medicines in France. (26) Total annual
expenditures for homeopathic treatment (fees, prescriptions, pharmacy)
are 1 366 million Francs, compared to 2 380 million Francs for other
GPs. (28)
==
9. Are expenses for homeopathic treatment refunded?
Yes.
65% of fees for medical consultations can be refunded depending on the
agreement a medical doctor has. Refunding is not for homeopathic
treatment, but for the consultation the doctor has with the patient.
Total annual expenditures for homeopathic treatment (fees,
prescriptions, pharmacy) are 1 366 million Francs, compared to 2 380
million Francs for other GPs. (28)
==
10. Are expenses for homeopathic medicines refunded?
Yes.
65% of expenses for homeopathic medicines are refunded provided they
are not in Korsakovian dilution's or i n LM potencies. Homeopathic
medicines account for 0.17% of the national health insurance budget.
==
11. Do any hospitals offer homeopathic treatment?
No.
==
12. Have any public resolutions been made, or are there any important
documents on official recognition of homeopathy?
Yes.
1948: First inclusion of homeopathic medicines in the French pharmacopoeia.
1965: Official inclusion in the French pharmacopoeia.
1978: 1st supplement to the pharmacopoeia: Good Manufacturing Practices.
1979/1981: "Pharmacopée et Monographies de Médicaments Courants" - SNPH Edition.
1983: the conference of the deans of medical schools recommended the
inclusion of homeopathy in the curriculum of medical studies.
(Reiterated by the members of the European Parliament.) (29)
1983: Tenth edition of the French pharmacopoeia. Updating of the
monographs and descriptions of homeopathic preparation methods.
1985: Official journal: "Bonnes Pratiques de Fabrication et de
Production Pharmaceutiques" (B.P.F.)
1988: Official journal: "Bonnes Pratiques de Préparations Officinales" (B.P.P.O.)
1989: Publication in the official pharmacopoeia of the compendium:
"Monographies des Souches Homéopathiques".
1992: Publication in the official journal of the European Community of
two directives concerning homeopathic medicines. (16, 17)
==
13. Is any homeopathic education officially recognised?
No.
However, 7 universities organise a one-year post-university cycle,
with a diploma on completion (Lille, Limoges, Lyon, Marseille,
Montpellier, Strasbourg, and Toulouse).
7 schools of medicine organise a three-year training cycle which ends
with the obtaining of a university diploma (D.U. in Homeopathy)
(Besancon, Bordeaux, Lille, Limoges, Marseille, Paris-Bobigny,
Poitiers). (27)
Four French schools of veterinary medicine provide structured training
in homeopathy (Lyon, Maisons-Alfort, Nantes, and Toulouse).
==
14. What is the standard for homeopathic education?
There is no official standard. However, seven universities organise a
one-year post-university cycle, with a diploma on completion (Lille,
Limoges, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Strasbourg, and Toulouse)
Seven schools of medicine organise a three-year training cycle which
ends with the obtaining of a university diploma (D.U. in Homeopathy)
(Besancon, Bordeaux, Lille, Limoges, Marseille, Paris-Bobigny,
Poitiers). This includes a minimum of 250 hours lectures,
participation in a homeopathic practice and in a hospital. (27)
Four French schools of veterinary medicine provide structured training
in homeopathy (Lyon, Maisons-Alfort, Nantes, and Toulouse).
Several medical doctors and other health personnel have been trained
in schools run by homeopathic manufacturers (Laboratoires Boiron,
Laboratoires Dolisos). (27)
==
15. Is homeopathic treatment refunded by any insurance company?
Yes.
Some private insurance companies refund the 35% that the state does
not refund. Examples are: Mutuell du Grand delta and Mutuelle de la
MAIF.
==
16. What regulations for homeopathic medicines exist?
It is the French agency for medicinal products (Agence francaise du
medicament, AMMM) that controls it.
1948: First inclusion of homeopathic medicines in the French pharmacopoeia.
1965: Official inclusion in the French pharmacopoeia.
1978: 1st supplement to the pharmacopoeia: Good Manufacturing Practices.
1979/1981: "Pharmacopée et Monographies de Médicaments Courants" - SNPH Edition.
1983: Tenth edition of the French pharmacopoeia. Updating of the
monographs and descriptions of homeopathic preparation methods.
1985: Official journal: "Bonnes Pratiques de Fabrication et de
Production Pharmaceutiques" (B.P.F.)
1988: Official journal: "Bonnes Pratiques de Préparations Officinales" (B.P.P.O.)
1989: Publication in the official pharmacopoeia of the compendium:
"Monographies des Souches Homéopathiques".
=
17. Has government funding been granted for research into homeopathy?
No.
==
18. Are any other practitioners within non-conventional medicine
officially recognised?
No.
====
A FRENCH STUDY COMBINING HOMEOPATHY AND PREGNANCY
===================================================
From "RESEARCH IN HOMEOPATHY." King Bio Pharmaceuticals
http://www.lyghtforce.com/King_bio/research.htm
"French researchers recently completed a double-blind trial using a
Homeopathic Formula to TREAT PREGNANT WOMEN. The study found this
Homeopathic Formula to REDUCE LABOR TIME and DECREASE ABNORMAL LABOR.
The average labor time of the women given the Homeopathic Formula was
5.1 HOURS, while the Placebo Group was 8.5 HOURS. ONLY 11.3 PERCENT OF
THE WOMEN GIVEN THE HOMEOPATHIC FORMULA had any ABNORMAL LABOR, while
40 PERCENT of the Placebo Group had an ABNORMAL LABOR."17
"A recent survey of French Doctors revealed that approximately 11.000
physicians utilize Homeopathic Medicines. Twenty-Thousand French
Pharmacies now sell Homeopathic Medicines. This survey also stated
that six medical schools offer courses in Homeopathy leading to a
degree. Homeopathy is also taught in ALL pharmacy schools and four
veterinary schools." 18
"Homeopathy is growing so rapidly in France that a recent cover story
of Le Nouvel Observateur, one of France?s leading magazines, noted
That President Mitterrand and six Medical School Deans had called for
more research on Homeopathy." 19
References cited in article:
17. Pierre Dorfman, Marie Noel Lasserre. and Max Tetau, "Preparation a
l?accounchement par homeopathie: Experimentation en double-insu versus
placebo" (Preparation for Birth by Homeopathy; Experimentation by
Double-Blind Versus Placebo), Cahrs de Biotherapie. 94 (April 1987):
77-81.
10. IFOP Survey, Paris, 1985.
19. "Medecines douches: La revanche de l?homeopathie." Le Nouvel
Observateur, April 12. 1985, pp. 36-41.
==
From "Statistics on Homeopathy."
http://www.h2rc2.com/downloads/Homstats.pdf
* Pharmacy - almost every pharmacy in Germany and France(20,000)
stocks homeopathic remedies
* the most popular cold and flu medicine in Franceis a homeopathic medicine
===
French use of Biofeedback - "Bioscan"
=====================================
"Bioenergetic Testing is the end product of nearly fifty continuous
years of evolution in Biological-Energetic/Biofeedback testing. Dr.
Voll and Dr. Werner of Germany developed this new approach to good
health utilizing a modern computer and a sophisticated program.
Relatively new in this country, it is felt by many people to be the
most significant breakthrough in health in many years. The technique
is understood, accepted, and used widely in other countries,
especially Germany, France, England and Canada."
BodyScan 2010 - Most accurate biofeedback device invented thus far."
http://healmedoctor.com/bodyscan2010.html
Auriculotherapy
================
Who discovered Auriculotherapy?
"While the earliest uses of ear acupuncture points dates back to
ancient China, modern applications of auriculotherapy are based on the
work of Dr. Paul Nogier of Lyon, France. In the 1950's, Dr. Nogier
noticed a strange scar on the upper ear of some of his patients. He
found that all of them had been treated for sciatica pain by a local
lay practitioner. This woman had cauterized a specific area of the
external ear in order to relieve their low back pain. Dr. Nogier
conducted a similar procedure on his own sciatica patients and found
that their back pain was also reduced. He then tried other means of
stimulating this "sciatica point," including the use of acupuncture
needles, and found that they too were effective in alleviating
sciatica pain. The brilliance of Dr. Nogier was in extending this one
observation into a more comprehensive model. Dr. Nogier theorized that
if an area of the upper external ear is effective in treating low back
pain, maybe other parts of the ear could treat other parts of the
body. The ear is said to represent the whole anatomical body, but in
an upside down orientation. Nogier's theory contended that the auricle
could be compared to an inverted fetus, with the head represented on
the lower ear lobe, the feet at the top of the external ear, and the
rest of the body in-between. This model was first presented to
naturopathic practitioners in France in 1957, then spread to
acupuncturists in Germany, and finally was translated into Chinese.
The Chinese seemed to have adopted the inverted fetus model of ear
acupuncture in 1958."
http://groups.msn.com/DrLazellsDentalOffice/whatisauriculotherapy.msnw
==
An article with some interesting references:
"Turning On Some of Your Own Sparkle," by Madeleine Barchevska. Health
and Well Being French Property Digest. Volume 1, Issue 3 (June 15,
2001)
http://frenchpropertydigest.com/archives/june2001/health.html
====
Cure by e-mail? Uri Geller. National Center for Homeopathy (July 21, 1999)
http://www.homeopathic.org/news0799.htm
"... Dr Benveniste, director of the Digital Biology Lab, in Clamart,
France, believes his team can sample and record the effects of drugs,
antibodies and bacteria on to computers, in a similar way to that in
which musicians sample sounds. The biological "noises" can be stored
on disk, transmitted around the world and replayed - and a human body
will react in exactly the same way to e-drugs as it does to real
drugs. "The signature of a virus can be recorded and digitised using a
computer sound card," he says. The implications for medicine are
limitless. Rare serums will be sampled, copied a million-fold, and
broadcast to every university and hospital on the planet. The digital
fingerprint of every bio-reaction, from bee-stings to chemotherapy,
will be stored on Zip cassettes in doctors' surgeries everywhere.
Benveniste predicts this could be the scientific breakthrough that
defines the 21st century.
"His peers disagree. Nature, the world's most prestigious scientific
magazine, published his first findings more than a decade ago, but the
editor later attacked Benveniste's research, and the French government
withdrew funding. The revolutionary fought back. Earlier this year he
addressed a heavyweight Cambridge gathering and his professional
website presents a mass of evidence. His theories developed from his
idea that diluted medication could still be effective - even when
diluted down to pure water, with no medicine remaining. Benveniste
talks of "the memory of water" though the soundbite has laid him open
to ridicule by sceptics who claim he is trying to make a science of
homeopathy. Judge for yourself by visiting www.digibio.com" (-)
==
PRACTICE OF IRIDOLOGY
=====================
"In addition to diagnostics, Iridology has become therapy with the use
of Evocative Cutaneous Technique linked to markings with the iris to
determine and treat emotional trauma, developed by Dr Lo Rito in
Italy. Also we have Iris Chromotherapy - the use of precise coloured
lights directed at sections of the iris to help prevent, re-establish
equilibrium and treat illnesses and pain - emotionally, physically and
who knows on what other levels. Clinical tests have provided
convincing results in the treatments of conditions with 75-80% success
in Russia and similar results in the treatment of asthma, allergies,
pain syndromes, back injuries from pioneers such as
* Dr De Bardo and Dr Fragnay in France."
http://www.todaystherapist.com/july_aug/complementary.htm
==
From "Iridology Pioneers."
http://cnri.edu/Iridology_FAQ/Iridology_Pioneers.htm
Fragnay P. MD - FRANCE - Highly respected for his work in "Iris Chromatherapy".
Ponzo P. ND - FRANCE - Naturopathic Doctor who has made great strides
in the field of Iridology and Nutrition
Dan Waniek, MD. - France - Ophthalmology and Iridology.
==
In France, thalasso therapy or sea water treatment involves being
sprayed, sluiced and bathed in salt water as well as having to inhale
it. The use of seaweed mud packs is also encouraged.
http://cp.yahoo.net/search/cache?p=france+naturopathy&ei=UTF-8&n=20&fl=0&url=BPtKen4wXoAJ:www.health.wits.ac.za/pharmacy/Mod7c1.doc
==
You might be interested in the following document:
"PROTOCOL FOR THE CREATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION OF NATUROPATHY."
http://www.fenacomadrid.com/acuerdos/acuerdo_ue_english.asp
===
A series of interesting conferences and workshops:
"Conferences and seminars of Dominick Léaud-Zachoval."
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/language/translation/translatedPage.php?tt=url&text=http%3a//www.france-spiritualites.com/PDLZManifestations.htm&lp=fr_en
Interviews with Dominick Léaud-Zachoval (English translations)
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/language/translation/translatedPage.php?tt=url&lp=fr_en&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.france-spiritualites.com%2FPIDominickLeaudZachoval1.html
Interview: "THE NATUROPATHIE WITH THE DAILY NEWSPAPER
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/language/translation/translatedPage.php?tt=url&lp=fr_en&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.france-spiritualites.com%2FPIDominickLeaudZachoval2.html
THE NATUROPATHIE: DEFINITION (book extract)
http://tools.search.yahoo.com/language/translation/translatedPage.php?tt=url&lp=fr_en&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.france-spiritualites.com%2FPExtraitLanaturopathieauquotidien.htm
For the French versions of these pages, see
http://www.france-spiritualites.com/PDLZManifestations.htm
(follow links to the articles
===
If you read French......you might find some good information on this site!
Collège Européen de Naturopathie Traditionnelle
http://cenatho.free.fr/
- Jeune Naturopathie - Centre for well being, based on naturopathy
====
I hope this answer sheds a bit of light on the alternative medical
atmosphere in France! I would be willing to research a specific
medical area in more detail should you choose to follow up with a
question pertaining to your particular consulting interests.
Sincerely,
umiat
Search Strategy
alternative medicine France
natural therapy +France
naturopathic practitioners in France
france naturopathe
National Union of French Homeopathic Doctors
Practicing alternative medicine in France
medical consulting AND france |
