I spend quite a lot of time looking up evidence that remedies actually work, but some small studies of  therapies – such as homeopathy – may well show positive effects, whilst proper trials show that it is a completely bogus therapy. There are seven or so major reasons why fake therapies can appear to work.

If you want to check stuff about benefits or other of alternative therapies visit www.quackwatch.com.

The reasons why fake therapies seem to work are:

1. Many diseases are self-limiting:  There is an  old saying is that a cold will go away in a week or in seven days if you treat it or not. Determining whether an intervention or remedy has made a difference is therefore difficult. Unless rigorous study methods are applied, an apparent benefit cannot be ascribed to the intervention or the natural course of the disease.
2. Many diseases are cyclical: Allergies, multiple sclerosis, arthritis and gastrointestinal problems like irritable bowel syndrome all have their ups and downs. Sufferers may seek therapy on a down, so that when an up comes that has to be due to the therapy, doesn't it. Again, only rigorous study design combats this.
3. The Placebo effect: Both the above contribute to what is called a placebo effect. It can be seen as the natural course of things. For instance, some people need no pain relief after having a sugical operation, making a pre-emptive intervention which claims to reduce pain after surgery a sure win. Patients given sugar pills recover because they believe the pills are helping their problem.
4. Bets are "hedged": "My auntie was under the doctor for six months, but it was only when she started on homeopathy that she got better". The fact that the poor infantry slaved away for six months is forgotten in the glamour of magic.
5. The original diagnosis may be wrong. There is always a difficulty of diagnosis in some conditions. If the diagnosis is wrong, then miraculous cures are less miraculous.
6. Mood improvement or cure: Alternative healers often have much more time to spend with their patient than a harassed GP loaded down with guidelines and tight prescribing budgets. Is it any wonder that alternative healers can make patients feel better? That mood change is sometimes seen as the cure.
7. There is a psychological investment in alternatives: Alternative healing can be as simple as some herbal remedy bought from a shop. Sometimes it can involve huge amounts of time, massive involvement of the family, and an intense psychological investment in believing that something (anything) will work. It is not surprising, then, that many people find some redeeming value in the treatment.