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.

Consumer Guide to Steamboat Bodyworks-Healing Centers

Advanced Massage and Healing Arts
Lena Steed-Franzen

This business offers massage, for which Lena Steed-Franzen is licensed through the State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, MT.0003998.

The rest of the offerings of this business are energy work or other names for energy work.

The State of Colorado does not require licensing or registration for individuals who claim to do energy work, for good reason. Energy work, including all the different ways it can be named, is based on a notion that human bodies have an energy field, which has never been verified and appears to be elusive to measurement, but seems special individuals can somehow manipulate.

An energy field large enough to surround, permeate, and travel with the body wherever it goes, should be measurable. 

A requirement for licensing is the successful passing of an appropriate test, but, without a quantifiable human condition, treatments also cannot be measured or verified, therefore, energy workers cannot be tested because there is nothing to base tests on.

Anyone can be an energy worker. All that is necessary is to claim to be one. 

Research on energy work, including reiki, color and sound healing, and aura-soma, which can include aroma, has shown no effects other than placebo effects, or false perceptions of improvement or fluctuation of symptoms.

For consumers

When the placebo effects wear off, energy workers claim something about "response variables" or "psychosomatic phenomena", and recommend additional treatment or another method, which is why energy workers offer several variations of energy methods. It is important to the energy worker's bottom line to keep clients in the loop of the various energy work methods. No money can be made by letting clients escape simply because placebo effects wear off, there's always another method to try.

The offering of astrology as part of healing arts is inexplicable and absurd. Consumers should be wary of individuals who offer astrology as well as energy work, no matter how it is named.

Energy work is not about healing arts. It is more like the art of taking money for something that does not work. That is called a scam.

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Sacred Spiral Healing Arts
Michelle Linet, ND, CMT
Adrienne Welder, CMT

The letters, ND, stand for Naturopathic Doctor, for which Michelle Linet is licensed through the State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, ND.0000039, and is the only Naturopathic Doctor in the Yampa Valley.

The letters, CMT, stand for Certified Massage Therapist. Neither name came up in the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork database, however, there are a number of massage certifying agencies, some private, which makes verifying certification problematic. Both individuals are licensed as massage therapists with the State of Colorado, Michelle Linet, MT.0003458, Adrienne Welder, MT.0006406.

Certification is not the same as licensing

The most important letters placed after a massage therapist's name are the ones that designate licensing, LMT. All other letters, such as those for certification, should be placed after that.

In cases where certification is claimed, for any practice, the certifying agency should also be named. This makes it easier for consumers to check certifications and enables them to make the best decisions for their health care.

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Yampa Valley Integrated Health

This listing directs consumers to an ad in which several names are provided.

Kelley McDaneld, L.Ac., Dipl.OM., is licensed in acupuncture with the State of Colorado, ACU.0001139, and is a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine, certified through NCCAOM, National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Lisa Thornhill, L.Ac., Dipl.OM., is licensed in acupuncture with the State of Colorado, ACU.0001278,  and is a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine, certified through NCCAOM, National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Michael MacKinnon, CMT (Certified Massage Therapist) is licensed with the State of Colorado as a massage therapist, MT.0009722, however, no certification is listed or could be found for this individual.

Sarah Freese, BCTMB, is licensed with the State of Colorado as a massage therapist, MT.0001977, and the credentials, BCTMB, Board Certified Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, is through NCBTMB, National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

Some of the services offered by this business have been shown to have some effect on health, such as massage and nutrition, also, yoga is helpful as a physical exercise, however, acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and qigong have not been proven to have any benefits to health.

Over three thousand trials and reviews of acupuncture reveal that the only results are placebo effects and the theory that acupuncture is based on, meridians, is imaginary. Many in the scientific community believe it is unethical to prescribe treatments based on imaginary anatomy that only offers placebo effects.

Certification of acupuncturists is a sham. While a few of those so accredited are naive physicians, most are nonmedical persons who only play at being doctor and use this certification as an umbrella for a host of unproven New Age hokum treatments. Unfortunately, a few HMOs, hospitals, and even medical schools are succumbing to the bait and exposing patients to such bogus treatments when they need real medical care.

            George A. Ulett, M.D., Ph.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of

            Missouri School of Medicine

The National Council Against Health Fraud has concluded:

•   Acupuncture is an unproven modality of treatment.

•   Its theory and practice are based on primitive and fanciful concepts of health and disease that bear no relationship to present scientific knowledge

•   Research during the past 20 years has not demonstrated that acupuncture is effective against any disease.

•   Perceived effects of acupuncture are probably due to a combination of expectation, suggestion, counter-irritation, conditioning, and other psychologic mechanisms.

•   The use of acupuncture should be restricted to appropriate research settings,

•   Insurance companies should not be required by law to cover acupuncture treatment,

•   Licensure of lay acupuncturists should be phased out.

•  Consumers who wish to try acupuncture should discuss their situation with a knowledgeable physician who has no commercial interest. 

Chinese herbs, or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is prescientific theory from a prescientific culture, from a time when superstition and elaborate belief systems made up what people understood about the human body. There has been no contribution from TCM to science-based medicine.

Qigong, pronounced chee gung, is based on a theory that health can be improved through the science and practice of chi, or life energy, through controlled breathing and movement. Research and clinical trials have so far been inconclusive and there is no consensus of effectiveness. In addition, the existence of qi, or chi, has not been verified.

Integrating alternative theories with conventional medicine does not lend credibility to alternative health practices that are not credible in their own right.