Question:
Does any type of alternative medicine actually work?

Beyond a placebo effect?

Answer: Yes. They all work. Unfortunately, they don't all work the same way for everybody. Some people will respond more to massage than their neighbor will. Echinacea is supposed to be the greatest all-around immune builder; doesn't work for me, I need the Chinese counterpart. I've treated blood poisoning, bronchitis, ear infections, strep throat, and many other incidental imbalances all with alternative and complimentary medicine. Yes. It works.

As an added note: Who cares if it's just a placebo effect? If it works; it works. 'Nuff said.