Monday, August 11, 2014

Consumer Guide to Steamboat Bodyworks-Energy Work

Feeding the Body Feeding the Soul, LLC
Nancy Cohen

The State of Colorado does not require licensing or registration for this type of business.

This business promotes reiki, a method in which a reiki therapist lays their hands on or over various places on the client's body, purportedly to affect some type of healing therapy.

There are several concerns with the notion that reiki can be a healing therapy.

Reiki has no rational scientific plausibility.

The reiki claim of an energy field or life force of the human body has never been proven or measured. So any claims of strengthening, balancing, or healing the energy or life force would also be not proven or measured.

Energy work?

No proof of energy, no proof that it needs to be worked on or that it can be worked on.

Reiki confers no benefits.

The American Cancer Society and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine have found no clinical or scientific evidence supporting claims that reiki is effective in the treatment of any illness.

No licensing or professional standards. 

The practice of reiki does not have a recognized certification organization, which would set accepted standards for the teaching requirements as well as practice methods. The result is practices and techniques that differ wildly among therapists.

Anyone can be a reiki therapist, or even a reiki master. There are no requirements of any kind to receive reiki training. There are three levels of training, however, some teach there are four levels. Each level takes one to two days of training, starting with an "attunement", a ceremony that makes the student "attuned" and a conduit of the "universal life energy". The master level can take anywhere from one day to one year, but some say it takes longer.

Unproven, ineffective, irrational versus proven, effective, rational health care

There is a danger to consumers who receive therapy from a reiki practitioner instead of real health care from a professional provider. Reiki claims of treatment for all illnesses and injuries, including multiple sclerosis, heart disease, cancer, even broken bones, can result in serious consequences for clients who delay medical treatment. Even symptoms like colds, flu, sore throat, headaches, or poor memory can be indicative of a serious condition that a reiki therapist is not able to discern.

Client's health concerns are not the same as reiki therapist's concerns

Client's concerns include the cost of health care and its effectiveness. Which would make reiki therapy a waste of health care dollars. Reiki therapists also have concerns of cost and effectiveness, but in a different way: reiki therapist's concerns center on how much they can get away with charging for the cost of the service before it becomes obvious the service is not effective for the client.

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Innerself Lightworks
Andy Kennedy

The State of Colorado does not require licensing or registration for businesses that sell energy work, which includes any number of scammy techniques that are claimed to affect the human body energy field.

Energy work is based on the unproven notion that the human body has an energy field. Because this notion cannot be proven, measured, or otherwise verified, all attempts at manipulating this field are also not proven, measured, or otherwise verified.

Energy work is performed by various individuals with various props.

In this particular enterprise, the props used are; crystals, reiki, quantum touch, chakra clearings, and upper dimensional spirit work.

For consumers who might consider energy work, recognizing these common props can help to make an informed decision as to whether energy work is a good idea or just a bad way to throw away money.

Crystals are rocks, minerals with no inherent capabilities to do anything to or for the human body.

Reiki is a technique using touch, which has been proven to be an ineffective and bogus method.

Quantum touch, also proven to be ineffective and bogus, used to be called therapeutic touch, which was also proved to be ineffective and bogus.

Chakra clearings are exceptionally phony. Chakras are referred to as points along a meridian inside the human body that somehow have some significance. No one has ever proven the existence of chakras, so it is not clear how anyone would know if they need to be cleared, what it is, specifically, that needs to be cleared, and if clearing is, in fact, possible or effective.

Upper dimensional spirit work appears to be just plain kooky. It is not known if an upper dimensional spirit exists or if someone can detect if they are, in fact, in the upper dimension or some lower one, and what work needs to be done, and why.

The other claims made by this therapist, "get you back into alignment-relieving physical and emotional pain from injury, trauma, or buildup.", are equally illegitimate. It is not mentioned what it is that is not in alignment, or how rocks and hand placements relieve physical or emotional pain, or what is "buildup".

No matter what energy work is called or what props are used, it is make-believe. When therapists charge a fee and take money from clients, it is a scam.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Consumer Guide to Steamboat Bodyworks-Dermatology-Surgical

Steamboat Springs Plastic Surgery Clinic

No name given, however, an ad that consumers are directed to reveals the name, Scott M. Sulentich, MD, who is licensed with the State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, DR.0032976.
Dr. Sulentich is also verified as Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Consumer Guide to Steamboat Bodyworks-Dentristry & Orthodontics

Braces U Orthodontics

No names are listed, however the coupon that consumers are directed to lists two doctors, Dr. Coombs and Dr. Lamb, both of which are licensed with the State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies as dentists, DEN.00009927 for Dr. Cory Coombs, DEN.00007540 for Dr. Robert Lamb.

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Rabbit Ears Dental Office
Neil Ganz, D.D.S.

Neil Ganz is licensed with the State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies as a dentist, DEN.00006852.

Consumer Guide to Steamboat Bodyworks-Dance

Sundance Studio

The State of Colorado does not require licensing through the Department of Regulatory Agencies for dance instructors or studios.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Consumer Guide to Steamboat Bodyworks-Crystals/Crystal Healing

Innerself Lightworks
Andy Kennedy

The State of Colorado does not require licensing for practitioners of this activity. The Master of Crystalogy designation is correctly spelled as Crystology, with an o instead of a, and can be achieved in one or two workshops.

As for the "inherent healing energy in crystals", no proof of that has ever been found. However, crystals are pretty and have value as jewelry and that can make people happy, but expectations of "healing, spirit work, self-discovery, past life regression, and divination" is too much to realize from an inanimate object. That kind of stuff would come from the "Master of Crystalogy" who is not actually healing as much as cold reading.



Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof, of which there is none.

For consumers
Crystals have no more inherent healing energy than rocks, clay, or for that matter, pieces of old, rusty iron. 
Crystal healing is a form of fortunetelling, devoid of science or logic. 


This listing is followed with an Innerself Lightworks ad offering astrology, numerology, card reading, home, office and personal clearing, meditations, spirit work, and alchemy.

Astrology is divination based on positions of the sun and moon, which is used to determine some effect on people, their personalities and events in their life, past, current, and future. 



Throughout most of its history, astrology was considered a scholarly tradition. It was accepted in political and academic contexts, and was connected with other studies, such as astronomy, alchemy, meteorology, and medicine.[4] At the end of the 17th century, new scientific concepts in astronomy and physics (such as heliocentrism and Newtonian mechanics) called astrology into question. Astrology thus lost its academic and theoretical standing, and common belief in astrology has largely declined.[5] Astrology has been rejected by the scientific community as a pseudoscience, having no validity or explanatory power for describing the universe. Among other issues, there is no proposed mechanism of action by which the positions and motions of stars and planets could affect people and events on Earth that does not contradict well understood basic aspects of biology and physics.[6]:249[7] Scientific testing of astrology has found no evidence to support any of the premises or purported effects outlined in astrological traditions. In one study, participating astrologers attempting to match natal charts with profiles generated by a psychological inventory produced results not significantly at variance with random chance.[8]:424




Numerology is much the same, using numbers to determine some meaning to individuals. This divination has also been debunked. In addition, there are no set definitions or meanings for specific numbers and they are interpreted for convenience as needed by those claiming to be numerologists. 

Card reading is another divination, this one using tarot cards, which historically began as playing cards, used in card tricks to take money from people. The use of card reading as fortunetelling is not much different than the historical beginnings as both use tricks to take money from people to line the pockets of the tricksters. 

Home, office & personal clearing is ambiguous, but is probably not referring to a furniture moving business. It likely has to do with something that cannot be seen, therefore cannot be confirmed or denied, but a fee can be charged for the service. It is unclear what it actually is that needs to be cleared and slightly disturbing that whatever it is could be in not just a home or office but in a person.

Meditations are generally any number of practices using quiet time, mantras, or imagery for mind relaxation. 

Spirit work is another ambiguous divination. Spirit work can mean calling upon spirits or other entities that cannot be seen or heard to help with magic and spell casting, channelling, consultation with the dead or personal guides, or prophesizing. This is another instance of something that cannot be seen, therefore cannot be confirmed or denied, but a fee can be charged for the service. 

Alchemy is a philosophy of which practitioners claim to be precursors to profound powers. The defining objective of alchemy is to mysteriously change something ordinary into something special, metal into gold, humans into immortals, which has not happened in the four thousand years alchemy has been around.

For consumers 

Astrology and horoscopes can be had for no cost. Many newspapers and websites regularly offer horoscopes, which are equally as accurate as horoscopes from self-claimed astrologists. 

Numerology and card reading, being other methods of fortunetelling, don't offer much more than horoscopes. 

Home, office & personal clearing does not give consumers much to go on, unless there is something that can be confirmed as having been there in the first place and then proof to have been cleared.

Meditations can also be had at no cost. There are many how-to books on meditation and its benefits. 

Spirit work is another method that does not give consumers much to go on as there is nothing to provide confirmation that spirits and spells are real. 

Alchemy appears to be a dubious service that is best to avoid. 

Anyone can claim to be an astrologist, numerologist, card reader, spirit worker, alchemist, etc. There are no requirements of education or training. 

The only divination going on here is the act of taking money from people for make-believe and trickery.

The best recommendation for this business is for its entertainment value. The nature of theses types of enterprises lends itself perfectly well for parties, like for Halloween, just don't expect metal to be changed into gold.   


Monday, August 4, 2014

Consumer Guide to Steamboat Bodyworks-Craniosacral Therapy

Columbine Massage Therapy
Sheri West, NCMT CST LMT

It is not clear what the letters, NCMT, stand for. They could stand for Nationally Certified Massage Therapist, however, there is no certification agency that allows those particular letters. The NCBTMB, National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, the only recognized board for national certification, allows therapists who successfully complete the certification requirements, including passing an exam, to use similar letters, NCTM, which stand for National Certification for Therapeutic Massage. However, Sheri West's name does not show up in the database and it appears that she does not actually have national certification.

CST stands for Craniosacral Therapist, a designation that takes one to two hours to achieve.

LMT stands for Licensed Massage Therapist. Sheri West is licensed through the State of Colorado, MT.0008412.

This business lists a number of techniques, some of which are dubious, unproven, and ineffective; acupressure, craniosacral therapy, reflexology, ion foot baths, and lymphatic drainage.

Craniosacral therapy is claimed to be a technique to facilitate the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and to adjust the synarthrodial joints of the cranium with the use of a light touch to certain parts of the body such as skull, face, spine, and pelvis. Currently, there is no evidence that cranial bones can be manipulated or that therapists can detect cerebrospinal pulse or craniosacral rates, both of which have been determined to be non-existent phenomenon.

Acupressure is sort of like acupuncture, but without the needles. Certain points on the body are claimed to be on a particular meridian and pressure applied to the point is supposed to affect an internal organ or system. Clinical trials and reviewed biomedical research reveal that acupressure does not work, for anything.

Reflexology is sort of the same, points on the foot or hand are claimed to be on a meridian that corresponds to an internal organ or system. Clinical trials and reviewed biomedical research reveal that reflexology does not do what its proponents claim, for anything.

Ion foot baths are promoted to release "toxins" out of the body and thereby reduce or prevent diseases, like autoimmune disorders and allergies, increase energy, reduce pain, and cause weight loss. There is no validity to claims of pulling "toxins" out of the body through the feet and the method is not based on physics, chemistry, anatomy, physiology or any other science.

Lymphatic drainage, or MLD, Manual Lymph Drainage, is a legitimate massage treatment specific to lymphedema, which is swelling in the tissues due to fluid accumulation in the lymphatic system.  That is the only recommendation for use for MLD and practitioners are required to have specific MLD training in order to perform this technique. There is no mention in the listing as to whether Sheri West has this training.

Consumers not only have to check therapist's credentials, they must also check the validity, safety, and effectiveness of claims the therapist makes about potential treatments.

Fortunately for consumers, there is a very easy way to determine if a massage therapist holds national certification. There should be a certificate or decal with an emblem, either NCTMB or NCTM, displayed at the business location of any therapist that claims national certification. There is really no reason massage therapists should be confused about their own credentials.

As for the treatments beyond basic massage, consumers can save money by skipping those. Even better, massage therapists shouldn't charge for unproven, ineffective, treatments.

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Happy's Space

No name, no credentials.

It is best to avoid practitioners that do not readily make available their name and credentials.












Friday, August 1, 2014

Consumer Guide to Steamboat Bodyworks-Counseling & Psychotherapy

Colorado Hypnosis & Healing

No name given. A coupon that readers are directed to reveals the name, Michelle. E. Hale, and the credential, CH.t.

Listing hypnosis under the Counseling & Psychotherapy heading is misleading and inaccurate. 

Michelle E. Hale is not licensed with the State of Colorado to practice either counseling or psychology. The letters, CH. t, are not clarified in the listing, but could stand for Certified Hypnotherapist. As those particular letters are not common, this certification is more than likely from an obscure organization with little or no education, knowledge, or testing requirements.

The State of Colorado does not require hypnotherapists to be licensed or registered.

Here's why.

Hypnosis is a specialty or sub-specialty of mental health and medical professionals who are already bound by the ethical standards of their specific field, profession, and practice. That is good for consumers. But, there is another kind of hypnosis, the kind where training and certification is a very short, maybe only a few hours long, seminar, or online, practitioners claim that hypnosis is useful for anything, and there are no professional standards, established guidelines of patient care, or codes of ethics. This kind of hypnosis is bad for consumers.

There are two things consumers can do to protect themselves and ensure hypnotherapy is provided by a qualified professional.

First, ask practitioners about credentials, education, license information, and professional associations.

The NBCCH (National Board for Certified Clinical Hypnotherapists), the only nationally recognized certification for health care professionals using hypnosis, requires:

 - all applicants to have earned a graduate-level degree in any of the appropriate academic disciplines
   for mental health practitioners or a Master or Doctorate degree for medical practitioners and

 - all applicants to be appropriately licensed or registered in their professions in the state in which they
   practice.

Second, ask practitioners about specific needs.

 - NBCCH certified hypnotherapists have varied areas of expertise. Because they are bound by the
   ethical standards of their profession, they disclose their qualifications and expertise as well as whether
   their practice includes a particular area of interest or recommend a qualified practice that does.

 - If the answer to questions regarding specific needs is more along the lines of, "hypnosis is useful for
   anything", or a long list is provided of what the practitioner claims to use hypnotherapy for, it is more
   than likely the practitioner does not have the education, training, skills, and integrity to provide a
   professional level of care. This type of practice is best avoided.

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Creating Healthy Lives
Valerie McCarthy, LCSW

This is a misleading listing as this individual is not licensed through the State of Colorado as a counselor or psychologist. However, the credential, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, encompasses both counseling and psychology in social work practice.

The listing does not include "archetypes, astrology, or accutonics"(sic), which are listed for the same practice under coaching, so potential clients should be aware that those modalities may be part of any counseling or therapy, as well as coaching.

Archetypes, astrology, and Acutonics® are illegitimate, phony methods and it is unclear as to why they would be included in a professional practice, as this appears to be outside the accepted standards of the professional discipline and a fraud perpetrated on clients. This type of practice is best avoided.

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Karen Post, MA
Enhancing Lives For 26 Years

The credential, MA, stands for Master of Arts. No license for this individual for either counseling or psychotherapy could be found with the State of Colorado, which requires counselors and psychologists to be licensed with the Department of Regulatory Agencies.

The areas of study for a Master of Arts degree are usually along the lines of arts, humanities, philosophy, but not psychology, so it appears that this practitioner not only is not licensed, but does not have the educational background to practice counseling or psychotherapy.

Karen Post may claim to be "enhancing lives for 26 years", but it appears she is doing it illegally.

This type of practice is best avoided.

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Rachel Hirning
L.P.C. & Art Therapist

L.P.C. stands for Licensed Professional Counselor and this practitioner is licensed as such with the State of Colorado, LPC.0005307. Art therapy is an accepted therapy method in counseling and psychotherapy.

Of the four listings under counseling & psychotherapy, this one is the most legitimate.

This is important to consumers who look for and expect appropriate standards of practice within established guidelines.

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