The Federation of Holistic Therapists

The Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) is a trade association for quacks.

Their website boasts of celebrating "over 45 years of setting professional standards".

(Image credit)

Half a dozen of their promotional leaflets recently fell into my hands. They feature popular quack therapies like ear candling, Indian head massage and reflexology.

Happily, the leaflets contain little that is objectionable.

For the most part, they concentrate on what customers can expect during a session. Better still, all of the leaflets contain sensible advice like "rest" and "drink water" and "speak to your doctor".

And yet, alas, even the most noble-minded of quacks can't resist the lure of daft claims about "flushing out toxins", "strengthening the immune system" and "improving circulation".

Three ASA complaints follow, the first of which concerns the FHT Ear Candling leaflet (available here and here)

"I write to complain about a leaflet I picked up at a "Health Fair" at Luton Central Library on 3rd November this year.

The leaflet, for the Federation of Holistic Therapists (Hampshire) / Ultimate Health Therapeutics (Luton), promotes ear candling therapies.

I suspect that the leaflet may be in breach of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP Code). I can provide the original leaflet by post, if necessary.

1. The ASA Council have previously upheld a complaint about claims made for ear candling (complaint ref 120878), in which I was the complainant.

2. Under Section 12.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the "benefits of ear candling... may include... the softening and loosening of compacted earwax... relief from sinus problems, headaches and snoring... easing pressure problems following flying and diving... temporary relief from tinnitus... reduced irritation of the ear canal... ear fluid circulation..."

3. I confirm I have no connections with the advertisers. I confirm I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertisers."

FHT Indian Head Massage leaflet (available here and here)

"I write to complain about a leaflet I picked up at a "Health Fair" at Luton Central Library on 3rd November this year.

The leaflet, for the Federation of Holistic Therapists (Hampshire) / Ultimate Health Therapeutics (Luton), promotes "Indian Head Massage".

I suspect that the leaflet may be in breach of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP Code). I can provide the original leaflet by post, if necessary.

1. The UK's leading authority on complementary medicine, Professor Edzard Ernst, has recently written about "detox" therapies [1]:

"Detox, as used in alternative medicine, is based on ill-conceived ideas about human physiology, metabolism, toxicology etc. There is no evidence that it does any good and some treatments...can be harmful. The only substance that is being removed from a patient is usually money."

2. Under Section 12.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the "benefits of Indian Head Massage include... more efficient removal of impurities and toxins..."

3. I confirm I have no connections with the advertisers. I confirm I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertisers.

Footnotes:

[1] Simon Singh, Edzard Ernst, "Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial", American edition 2008, p308"

FHT Reflexology leaflet (available here and here)

"I write to complain about a leaflet I picked up at a "Health Fair" at Luton Central Library on 3rd November this year.

The leaflet, for the Federation of Holistic Therapists (Hampshire) / Ultimate Health Therapeutics (Luton), promotes reflexology.

I suspect that the leaflet may be in breach of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP Code). I can provide the original leaflet by post, if necessary.

1. The UK's leading authority on complementary medicine, Professor Edzard Ernst, has recently written about the evidence base for reflexology [1]:

"Conclusion - The notion that reflexology can be used to diagnose health problems has been disproved and there is no convincing evidence that it is effective for any condition. Reflexology is expensive, and it offers nothing more than could be achieved from a simple, relaxing foot massage."

2. Ernst has also written about "detox" treatments [2]:

"Detox, as used in alternative medicine, is based on ill-conceived ideas about human physiology, metabolism, toxicology etc. There is no evidence that it does any good and some treatments...can be harmful. The only substance that is being removed from a patient is usually money."

3. Under Section 12.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the "benefits of reflexology... include... improved circulation... more efficient removal of impurities and toxins... a stronger immune system..."

3. I confirm I have no connections with the advertisers. I confirm I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertisers.

Footnotes:

[1] Simon Singh, Edzard Ernst, "Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial", American edition 2008, p323
[2] Ibid., p308
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