I deliberately avoided this thread until I saw your post. I have personal experience of alternative/complimentary medicine and it has my full respect. I don't see a dichotomy, just a lack of knowledge and thorough understanding, and if it is a placebo, as the more enlightened cynics suggest, than that is surely a good thing. Another form of healing. Aspirin comes form tree bark etc, aboriginal peoples still use herbal medicines etc, as did our Ancestors. It's amazing how we made it this far without Phramaceutical hegemony! I say that as someone who saw a loved one cured by standard medicine, for which I will always be utterly grateful. It's not a question of either/or, it's a holistic approach that need s to be taken a little more seriously, with the quasi/false 'New Age' bandwagon sharks shown the boot.

EDIT: That's my penny's worth.