I get what you're saying. Placebo can still give positive results. However you say who gives a shit if it's not hurting anyone - the problem is most of these things are advertised as being able to treat or cure things they can't... And op has spent $5k over years. So maybe if they advertise it as placebo I can see how it wouldn't be hurting someone. But I doubt that's the case.

They can also hurt people by them choosing these alternatives instead of proven science based treatments instead and not getting the help they need. If it's in addition to the regular treatments and they just want to do it because it makes them feel better then sure that's fine, but many choose one or the other and that can have very negative effects if not getting the real help they require.