Frequently Asked Questions

The Non-Opioid Pain Alleviation Information Network (NOPAIN MN) is a mapping project funded by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) in partnership with Hennepin Healthcare. As a result of the ongoing opioid crisis worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, NOPAIN MN seeks to help people experiencing chronic pain locate alternatives to opioids and narcotics for their pain management. In particular, NOPAIN MN is a resource map with a consolidated list of certified or licensed providers and locations that offer complementary and integrative treatment methods across Minnesota.

• On January 1, 2018, the Joint Commission's revised pain standard included nonpharmacologic options for pain as a scorable element of performance. In support of the Joint Commission's decision, the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health's Pain Task Force published a White Paper (Tick et al., 2018) to serve as a source for the evidence-base of nonpharmacologic pain strategies as part of comprehensive pain care.
• In 2020, The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) updated their systematic review report from 2018 that assessed non-invasive non-pharmacological treatments for common chronic pain conditions and the following are their key messages:
  • Interventions that improved function and/or pain for ≥1 month:
    • Low back pain: Exercise, psychological therapy, spinal manipulation, low-level laser therapy, massage, mindfulness-based stress reduction, yoga, acupuncture, multidisciplinary rehabilitation (MDR).
    • Neck pain: Exercise, low-level laser, mind-body practices, massage, acupuncture.
    • Knee osteoarthritis: Exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
    • Hip osteoarthritis: Exercise, manual therapies.
    • Fibromyalgia: Exercise, CBT, myofascial release massage, mindfulness practices, tai chi, qigong, acupuncture, MDR.
    • Tension headache: Spinal manipulation.
    • Some interventions did not improve function or pain. Serious harms were not observed with the interventions.
• The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) provides an extensive list of literature reviews on the scientific evidence behind complementary and integrative health treatment methods.
• To learn more, access this FREE DHS-sponsored educational course on Alternatives to Opioids for Pain Management developed by Northwestern Health Sciences University: https://learning.nwhealth.edu/ID/Clinic/Alternatives_to_Opioids/content/

The NOPAIN MN Resource Map includes the location and contact information for certified or licensed providers of non-pharmacological, complementary and integrative health services in Minnesota. The locations include private practices, schools of complementary and integrative health, as well as medical clinics or hospitals affiliated with a health system. The NOPAIN MN website also provides descriptions of the listed treatment methods and other resources to learn more about the evidence-based research behind these complementary and integrative health methods.

The NOPAIN MN Resource Map allows you to individualize your search so that you can find the complementary and integrative health services located closest to you. 

To individualize and narrow your search, you can choose one or a combination of the following search criteria options:

1. Choose "Location" to input your zipcode or address along with a mileage radius to view all the complementary and integrative health services and providers near you.
2. Choose "Treatment Method" and select the treatment method(s) that you are would like to search for.
3. Choose "Practice Type/Health System" to view service options that are provided by a private practice, school, or medical facility affiliated with a certain health system. The selection options are:
   1.  
      1. "Solo/Group Practices": Search for solo or private practice provider/practitioners
      2. "Schools of Complementary and Integrative Health": Search for academic institutions, colleges, and schools that train students in complementary and integrative health therapies and offers their services to the public
      3. "Medical Facilities": Search for only medical facilities and clinics
      4. "Specific Health System": Search for specific health systems in the drop down menu
4. Choose "Keyword" to search for services by using specific keywords

Providers who wish to be listed on our site can complete and submit the provider listing form by clicking here.

Providers who wish to update their contact information can complete and submit the provider listing form by clicking here. Please select "Listing Update" from the down-down menu under "Are you requesting a new listing or listing update?"