15. Placebos in Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Many alternative and complementary therapies, including acupuncture and homeopathy, may owe much of their perceived effectiveness to placebo responses. The rituals, environment, and expectations built around these treatments can amplify belief-driven benefits.
Patients often experience real relief, even when the scientific evidence for these methods is limited. Understanding the role of the placebo effect helps explain why such therapies remain popular. For further insights, see the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health overview.