An Inland Empire practice is committed to delivering a personalized acupuncture experience for workers’ comp patients.

Acupuncture is proving to be a valuable treatment for low back pain and other musculoskeletal ailments among workers’ comp patients. Although many insurers still view it as an “alternative” treatment, the tide is turning.

Earlier this year, acupuncture was approved as a covered treatment for chronic low back pain for Medicare beneficiaries. Coverage remains inconsistent across states, but among those where acupuncture is a covered workers’ comp treatment is California, home to MedRisk provider Alcocer Acupuncture Medical Clinic.

The clinic was founded in 2014 by Xiaolong Alcocer, a licensed acupuncturist. Alcocer followed family tradition in entering the medical field and started his career in 2005 as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy, assisting in the care of sailors, marines and their families. He has worked at several military hospitals, including the Role 3 Combat Hospital in Afghanistan, where he assisted an Army physician in the treatment of pain using the battlefield acupuncture protocol.

Alcocer now runs a tight ship of his own at the Moreno Valley-based clinic, where he and his staff treat about 18 to 24 patients a day on average. The clinic’s mission is to provide personalized services and promote better health through acupuncture and herbal medicine. Alcocer serves a wide variety of Inland Empire patients and supports the area’s diverse population through fluency in English, Spanish, and Mandarin.

The clinic’s staff strives to make acupuncture a relaxing experience, even for those who can be squeamish around needles. During the first visit, the practitioner conducts a confidential health interview to discuss the patient’s health condition, current medications, lifestyle, and behavior. This allows Alcocer and his fellow clinicians to obtain a complete picture of treatment needs and the behaviors that may contribute to the condition.

Patients experience acupuncture differently, but a majority feel minimal or no pain at all as the needles are inserted. Some patients report feeling energized by the treatment; others leave feeling more relaxed. Treatment sessions may take place over a period of several weeks or more.

Alcocer is committed to continuing to serve patients who require treatment throughout the pandemic. With safety precautions in place, the clinic remains open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Call MedRisk today at 800-225-9675 to schedule authorized physical medicine treatment for a work-related injury or visit us online at www.medrisknet.com.

MedRisk helps connect injured workers with the right provider and serves as a proactive force throughout the episode of care. If you are a member of MedRisk’s premier provider network and would like to be showcased in our e-newsletter please contact us at marketingsupport@medrisknet.com