[quesera]

This is inadequate.

Alternative medicine is simply any therapy that is not included in the established currently-accepted set of treatment options.

This varies by culture, time, and sometimes by individual.

Most alternatives are not better than the currently-known best. This is true today, we think, but it is definitely not true historically. (So how special is our current era?)

But when the currently-known best doesn't work well for everyone, or has deleterious side effects, any continued research will include alternatives.

I understand the fatigue embedded in your quote. It's a reasonable stance for those of us with ordinary concerns and who are far downstream from the research (including and especially retail practitioners).

But it is too broadly dismissive for real scientists and people who maintain a curiosity about the world.

[Workaccount2]

>Most alternatives are not better than the currently-known best.

I think a better way of phrasing this is "Most alternatives are no better than placebo".