You're in Chronic Pain and Tired of Painkillers. Natural Pain Management Methods Covered!

The Pain Management Trap

You're in pain. Chronic back pain. Neck pain. Migraines. Joint pain. Your doctor offers opioids. You know the risks. You've seen addiction destroy people. You want alternatives.

Or maybe you've tried opioids. They work for a while. Then you need more. Then addiction happens. Now you're trapped.

You need alternatives to medication. Your body needs treatment, not just pain masking.

Fact #1: Chronic pain affects 50 million Americans, and over 90% of opioid prescriptions are for pain management—yet research shows that acupuncture and chiropractic treatment are often as effective or more effective than opioids for many pain conditions, without addiction risk.

Here's what most Medi-Cal members don't know: Your insurance covers Acupuncture and Chiropractic Services as alternatives to opioid painkillers—up to 2 visits per calendar month, completely covered.

What Acupuncture Treats

Acupuncture is an ancient medicine that works by stimulating specific body points to relieve pain and treat conditions.

Medi-Cal covers acupuncture for:

• Tension headaches and migraines – Often eliminates the need for pain medication

• Hip and knee pain (osteoarthritis) – Improves mobility and reduces inflammation

• Extremity joint pain – Ankles, wrists, shoulders, elbows

• Back and neck pain – One of the most effective uses

• Other pain syndromes involving joints and soft tissues

• Nausea – From pregnancy, surgery, or chemotherapy

Acupuncture works by reducing inflammation, improving blood flow, releasing natural pain-relieving chemicals (endorphins), and addressing the root cause of pain instead of just masking it.

What Chiropractic Treatment Covers

Chiropractic care uses manipulation and adjustment of the spine and joints to treat pain and improve function.

Medi-Cal covers chiropractic for:

• Back and neck pain – From injury, poor posture, or degenerative conditions

• Orthopedic conditions – Muscle strain, ligament sprain, joint dysfunction

• Neurological conditions – Nerve compression, sciatica, radiating pain

• Headaches – Often originating from spine or neck tension

• Work-related injuries – Repetitive strain, acute injuries

Chiropractic treatment restores proper alignment, reduces nerve compression, improves mobility, and addresses structural causes of pain.

Fact #2: Research shows that acupuncture and chiropractic treatment reduce opioid prescriptions by 30-50% in patients receiving these therapies—because the conditions are actually treated rather than just masked with medication. Fewer opioids means less addiction risk and better long-term outcomes.

Why This Matters: The Opioid Crisis

The U.S. opioid epidemic killed nearly 100,000 people in 2021. Millions are addicted. The addiction started with prescription painkillers prescribed for legitimate pain.

Alternative pain management methods save lives.

They:

• Treat underlying conditions instead of just masking pain

• Reduce opioid prescriptions and addiction risk

• Improve long-term pain outcomes

• Have minimal side effects

• Address root causes of pain

How Much Treatment Can You Get?

Up to 2 visits per calendar month:

• That could be 2 acupuncture visits

• 2 chiropractic visits

• Or 1 of each

If you need more than 2 visits monthly, your provider can request authorization for additional visits based on medical necessity.

How to Access Acupuncture & Chiropractic

The Process:

1. Ask your doctor for a referral to acupuncture or chiropractic (though some providers may not require referrals)

2. Find an in-network provider who accepts your Medi-Cal plan

3. Schedule your appointments

4. Your plan covers the cost (no copay or cost-sharing)

How Help Is Hope Connects You to Pain Management

Our care team helps Medi-Cal members access acupuncture and chiropractic services through in-network providers.

If you're in chronic pain:

1. Complete our intake form and tell us about your pain

2. Our team helps you understand whether acupuncture or chiropractic is appropriate

3. We connect you with in-network providers

4. You access non-opioid pain management

5. You reduce pain without addiction risk

Learn more about how our Enhanced Care and Community Support services include coordinated pain management and substance use prevention.

You Don't Have to Choose Between Pain and Addiction

You deserve:

• Effective pain relief without opioid addiction risk

• Treatment of underlying conditions, not just symptom masking

• Access to evidence-based alternative medicine

• Improved quality of life through pain management

Book a session with our care team and let's explore acupuncture or chiropractic options for your pain.

Your Medi-Cal plan covers it. Up to 2 visits monthly. It costs you nothing. Stop suffering. Stop taking opioids. Try proven alternatives.

Hope is not a luxury. It is a lifeline. Let us help you manage pain without addiction.