To each his own, but I agree with you. Wearing my back brace and observing good body mechanics when I'm lifting or climbing at work and taking an advil or using a tiger balm patch in the evening and a glass of wine works fine for my injured discs. I never took any hormone replacement therapy even though all my friends were trying to shove it at me as soon as I became menopausal. I found that natural herbal and soy remedies work great, and they aren't linked to anything dangerous (and they aren't made from the urine of pregnant mares, either...).
I use herbals, too...especially a lot of ginger. Ginger is good when the stomach flares up and helps with inflamation in general.