A trip to a religious shrine like Lourdes is rarely the only treatment used though BillD. It is, however, often a measure of last resort, to bring healing to the person suffering and their loved ones. Religious ceremonies and services in all religions regularly do this for the sick and their families. Even for those who aren't religiously inclined devise some sort of ritual for healing for themselves and/or loved ones.

Just as there can be no double blind experiment on an individual, there can also be no double blind experiment done to prove "faith" was the cure. Because no scientific study or experiment can be devised to measure results, doesn't prove or disprove the efficacy of belief and/or faith (not the same thing in my book) in recovery on the one hand, and healing on the other (also not the same thing in my book). A patient can be healed and still die or not be cured in the conventional sense.