We have to look other options like spirituality, faith healing pneumo, psychoimmunology and so forth. This unknown x factors may be prayer, meditation, and such other spiritual exercises. A study of 2754 people over a ten year period in Michigan by James House found a link between the brain and the immune system. Certain neuropeptides are produced in the brain by positive emotions. Pain can thus be reduced by half.
Neural mechanisms modulate the body defense.
The power of prayer is acknowledged as important in healing process. Dr. John Webb former director of CMC Vellore in India narrates the story of an 8 year old baby who came to CMC with an advanced inoperable cancerous tumour. After investigation he was discharged predicting that he may not survive for more than two weeks. On his way home he went into a faith home and had a prayer. The boy recovered and is still alive after 25 years.