Comment Re:Not all alternative medicine is a fraud (Score 2, Interesting) 505
The problem is that in most cases, 'alternative' means 'unproven' (or 'unproveable'). Any 'alternative' treatment that proves effective when studied in a controlled manner would likely be embraced by the medical system and cease to become 'alternative'.
On the other hand there are some 'mainstream' therapies like acupuncture and some parts of chiropractic that don't stand up to scientific scrutiny but are widely considered valid.
There's also the question of intent on the part of the practitioner. Whether or not a therapy is effective is a matter of fact that can be tested experimentally. Whether or not it's fraud is a matter of if the practitioner believes that it's beneficial.
On the other hand there are some 'mainstream' therapies like acupuncture and some parts of chiropractic that don't stand up to scientific scrutiny but are widely considered valid.
There's also the question of intent on the part of the practitioner. Whether or not a therapy is effective is a matter of fact that can be tested experimentally. Whether or not it's fraud is a matter of if the practitioner believes that it's beneficial.
