With health care costs on the rise and insurance coverage on the decline, many people are looking for alternative ways to deal with pain and manage chronic issues. Some people are looking to Western Medicine, in the form of acupuncture. In Sarasota, there is a community center which offers the service on a sliding scale based on income, meaning people with no insurance and little income have access to the service for a very low fee. Treatment at most places ranges in the $70 to $150 range, but at the center, you can have it done for as little as $15 with the pay as you can approach. Advocates feel that the procedure can cure all sorts of ailments from pain to the common cold. Critics feel that it’s more of a placebo effect and a waste of money. What are your thoughts on alternative medicine? How can we get health insurance carriers to cover accupuncture when we know it works to solve many problems? Would they rather you take a pill?