Consumer Guide to Steamboat Bodyworks-Herbalism & Chinese Medicine

Kneading Hands Apothecary

The State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies does not require licensing for this type of business. Herbs, or plants used for alleged medicinal purposes, are considered as supplements, loosely regulated under the jurisdiction of the FDA, Federal Drug Administration, which does not require proof of safety, effectiveness, or standardization of purity or dosage.

Herbalism is a form of alternative health and is not based on evidence using scientific method and in no case are herbalists capable, qualified, or allowed to provide diagnoses.

Consumers who consider herbs as a choice for health care need to look out for their own safety by researching herbs and potential side effects, adverse effects, cautions, and drug interactions and always should discuss all herbs they use or are thinking of using with their primary care doctor.

Here are two excellent web resources:

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/herbsataglance.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_herbs_with_known_adverse_effects 

From

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbalism

A number of herbs are thought to be likely to cause adverse effects.[27] Furthermore, "adulteration, inappropriate formulation, or lack of understanding of plant and drug interactions have led to adverse reactions that are sometimes life threatening or lethal.[28]" Proper double-blind clinical trials are needed to determine the safety and efficacy of each plant before they can be recommended for medical use.[29] Although many consumers believe that herbal medicines are safe because they are "natural", herbal medicines and synthetic drugs may interact, causing toxicity to the patient. Herbal remedies can also be dangerously contaminated, and herbal medicines without established efficacy, may unknowingly be used to replace medicines that do have corroborated efficacy.[30]

Standardization of purity and dosage is not mandated in the United States, but even products made to the same specification may differ as a result of biochemical variations within a species of plant.[31] Plants have chemical defense mechanisms against predators that can have adverse or lethal effects on humans. Examples of highly toxic herbs include poison hemlock and nightshade.[32] They are not marketed to the public as herbs, because the risks are well known, partly due to a long and colorful history in Europe, associated with "sorcery", "magic" and intrigue.[33] Although not frequent, adverse reactions have been reported for herbs in widespread use.[34] On occasion serious untoward outcomes have been linked to herb consumption. A case of major potassium depletion has been attributed to chronic licorice ingestion.,[35] and consequently professional herbalists avoid the use of licorice where they recognize that this may be a risk. Black cohosh has been implicated in a case of liver failure.[36] Few studies are available on the safety of herbs for pregnant women,[37][38] and one study found that use of complementary and alternative medicines are associated with a 30% lower ongoing pregnancy and live birth rate during fertility treatment.[39] Examples of herbal treatments with likely cause-effect relationships with adverse events include aconite, which is often a legally restricted herb, ayurvedic remedies, broom, chaparral, Chinese herb mixtures, comfrey, herbs containing certain flavonoids, germander, guar gum, liquorice root, and pennyroyal.[40] Examples of herbs where a high degree of confidence of a risk long term adverse effects can be asserted include ginseng, which is unpopular among herbalists for this reason, the endangered herb goldenseal, milk thistle, senna, against which herbalists generally advise and rarely use, aloe vera juice, buckthorn bark and berry, cascara sagrada bark, saw palmetto, valerian, kava, which is banned in the European Union, St. John's wort, Khat, Betel nut, the restricted herb Ephedra, and Guarana.[28]

There is also concern with respect to the numerous well-established interactions of herbs and drugs.[28] In consultation with a physician, usage of herbal remedies should be clarified, as some herbal remedies have the potential to cause adverse drug interactions when used in combination with various prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, just as a patient should inform an herbalist of their consumption of orthodox prescription and other medication.

For example, dangerously low blood pressure may result from the combination of an herbal remedy that lowers blood pressure together with prescription medicine that has the same effect. Some herbs may amplify the effects of anticoagulants.[41] Certain herbs as well as common fruit interfere with cytochrome P450, an enzyme critical to much drug metabolism.[42]

A 2013 study published in the journal BMC Medicine found that one-third of herbal supplements sampled contained no trace of the herb listed on the label. The study found products adulterated with filler including allergens such as soy, wheat, and black walnut. One bottle labeled as St. John's Wort was found to actually contain Alexandrian senna, a laxative.[43]

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Tim Trumble, Dipl. OM

The State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies does not require licensing for Chinese herbs.

Dipl. OM stands for Diplomate of Oriental Medicine, which is a certification by the NCCAOM, National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, however, Tim Trumble's name does not appear in the NCCAOM practitioner database or its registry, so this individual's use of this credential appears illegitimate.

It is best to avoid practitioners whose credentials cannot be verified.


"Examples of herbal treatments with likely cause-effect relationships with adverse events include…Chinese herb mixtures…”

Ernst, E (1998). "Harmless Herbs? A Review of the Recent Literature" (PDF). The American Journal of Medicine 104 (2): 170–8. doi:10.1016/S0002-9343(97)00397-5. PMID 9528737. Retrieved 27 December 2010.

Consumer Guide to Steamboat Bodyworks-Health Screening & Complementary Natural Solutions

Karen D. Gilroy, Natural Health Coach

No information for this individual could be found anywhere that would verify the ability to perform health screening. An individual who claims to be able to perform health screening, but apparently lacks the knowledge or skills to do so, is not only perpetrating a fraud, but is a danger to the health of every client they come in contact with.

The danger is twofold: first is the risk of a health condition that the "coach" is not capable to screen or detect, which is then left ignored and untreated, second is that a disease or condition is screened for and diagnosed but is non-existent in the client.

Health Screening & Complementary Natural Solutions is really the name of a scam that goes like this: unconventional and bogus "screening" reveals a client has some condition that remarkably can be treated with the very products the "coach" happens to sell, which, incidentally, happen to be called "solutions". The implication being there is an inherent problem that requires a solution.

Scam and Fraud

The scam is that a client will always be screened and diagnosed with some condition, then recommended to purchase the "natural complementary solution" from the "natural health coach". The purpose of this scam is for the "coach" to sell their product, which transfers money from the pocket of the client to the pocket of the "coach". The client, whose health is not ever a consideration, ends up spending money for worthless treatment for a condition they do not have.

The fraud is that the "natural health coach" is presenting herself as a bonafide practitioner who can perform legitimate screening, which is a medical procedure, but does not have the education, training, knowledge, skills, or licensing that would allow this individual to legally and legitimately practice medicine.

Colorado Statute 12-36-106

(1) For the purpose of this article, "practice of medicine" means:

(a) Holding out one's self to the public within this state as being able to diagnose, treat, prescribe for, palliate, or prevent any human disease, ailment, pain, injury, deformity, or physical or mental condition, whether by the use of drugs, surgery, manipulation, electricity, telemedicine, the interpretation of tests, including primary diagnosis of pathology specimens, images, or photographs, or any physical, mechanical, or other means whatsoever;

(b) Suggesting, recommending, prescribing, or administering any form of treatment, operation, or healing for the intended palliation, relief, or cure of any physical or mental disease, ailment, injury, condition, or defect of any person;

(c) The maintenance of an office or other place for the purpose of examining or treating persons afflicted with disease, injury, or defect of body or mind;

(d) Using the title M.D., D.O., physician, surgeon, or any word or abbreviation to indicate or induce others to believe that one is licensed to practice medicine in this state and engaged in the diagnosis or treatment of persons afflicted with disease, injury, or defect of body or mind, except as otherwise expressly permitted by the laws of this state enacted relating to the practice of any limited field of the healing arts;

(e) Performing any kind of surgical operation upon a human being; or

(f) The practice of midwifery, except:

(I) Services rendered by certified nurse-midwives properly licensed and practicing in accordance with the provisions of article 38 of this title; or

(II) Repealed.

(g) The delivery of telemedicine. Nothing in this paragraph (g) authorizes physicians to deliver services outside their scope of practice or limits the delivery of health services by other licensed professionals, within the professional's scope of practice, using advanced technology, including, but not limited to, interactive audio, interactive video, or interactive data communication.

(2) If a person who does not possess and has not filed a license to practice medicine, practice as a physician assistant, or practice as an anesthesiologist assistant in this state, as provided in this article, and who is not exempted from the licensing requirements under this article, performs any of the acts that constitute the practice of medicine as defined in this section, the person shall be deemed to be practicing medicine, practicing as a physician assistant, or practicing as an anesthesiologist assistant in violation of this article.

Lying by Omission

Anyone who claims to be able to perform a medical procedure, but does reveal they are not licensed or in any way qualified, is lying to clients through the omission of that information.

Anyone who claims to be able to perform a medical procedure, but does not have and is not able to obtain proper licensing and qualifications, is not able to obtain liability insurance, which means, clients whose health has been compromised have little recourse for recovery of damages. 

Health Screening & Complementary Natural Solutions is fraud, misrepresentation, deceit, and dishonesty perpetrated by design to derive benefit at the expense of others through tricking consumers who are seeking health care.

It is best to avoid this scam altogether.

Consumer Guide to Steamboat Bodyworks-Health Clubs & Fitness

IronEdge Coaching
Heather Gollnick

This listing mentions Personal Fitness Concierge, which is a trendy name for personal coach, for which the State of Colorado does not require licensing, former professional athlete, which is verified by her established record in triathlons, and published author, which is verified by her co-authorship of a book about her training experience.

Heather Gollnick's claim to be a fitness expert is misleading for consumers in that calling oneself an expert is usually self-promoted and consumers have differing opinions and expectations as to what constitutes an expert, in any field.

Furthermore, the claim for multiple fitness certifications doesn't tell consumers anything.

Professional individuals who are advertising their services for consumers and who have worked hard to receive certification should list their specific certifications. This information is of value to consumers who are making important decisions for their optimal health and well-being.

In this case, two certifications can be found for Heather Gollnick, one for triathlon coaching, and the other one for cycling coaching.

For consumers, this particular individual's areas of expertise appear to be limited to triathlon and cycling coaching.

Not just about fitness and sports

Before considering this business for any kind of training -

 - ask about certification that would ensure health care knowledge in the case of a client's potential health emergency, such as a heart attack.

 - discuss with a physician, beforehand, any and all exercise regimen recommendations.

 - ask coach for verification of liability insurance,

because,

personal coaches will not claim responsibility or liability for any injury or loss resulting from following their recommendations and suggestions.

No liability insurance means consumers need to look further in order to make the best decision regarding their health and fitness.

It's about health care for fitness and sports

There are no set standards of education or training for personal coaches, which means consumers cannot know what a particular coach knows or understands about injuries, but the nature of this business is such that there is a likelihood of injury that could occur, not just from a single event, but also from ongoing activities.

Consumers can expect expert health and fitness care from athletic trainers certified with the National Athletic Trainers' Association, NATA, who are qualified to determine athlete readiness to participate, risk management, injury prevention, recognition, evaluation, and treatment, and appropriate referral.