It seems to me that there are three possible conclusions to be drawn. After experimenting with a number of different alternative therapies, and reading as much as I could about the others, I'm not really very convinced about the effectiveness of the remedies themselves. However, some of the therapists are very nice people. They pay attention when you tell them your problems. They express concern and compassion to you, and they might even touch you with their hands.
Most people respond to a kindly word or touch.
Most people feel better after a session with a masseuse or reiki practitioner because, hey, it might be the only kindness they've experienced that week in their lives. But the truth is that most traditional medical remedies are tested fairly thoroughly by the scientific community and most of the methods they use are sound. Get a group of 500 patients and give it to half of them and give a placebo to the other half. Sure drug companies try to cheat, and sure doctors over-prescribe and do too much surgery. The difference is that the medical community, by and large, believes in open, systematic testing and authentication of therapeutic drugs and practices.