I think you will find that in most of the commonwealth countries with a legal system developed from the British that alternative healthcare flourishes, and in some cases is even legally allowed to self-regulate (eg NZs Health Practioners Competence Assurance Act which grants self regulating power to professional bodies within a scope of practice). Why? I don't know, but it might be the common law systems deep desire and history of accommodating diversity, sometimes with a battle or two along the way.