Advocating For Integrative Care With Complex Cases

Living with chronic pain, chronic illness, or a physical disability presents many challenges beyond the symptoms themselves. One of the most persistent obstacles is the limited access to alternative and integrative therapies that can profoundly improve quality of life. Our healthcare system, deeply rooted in the traditional allopathic model, often overlooks the benefits of treatments like acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic care—modalities that can transform the experience of those navigating complex, long-term health conditions.

In this article, we explore the inspiring work of Chanda Hinton, a passionate advocate and leader who, after experiencing life-changing results from integrative therapies herself, co-founded the Chanda Center for Health in Colorado. Chanda’s journey and her foundation’s mission illuminate how integrative care can be a game-changer for people living with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and other physical disabilities. We’ll also delve into the systemic changes needed to make these therapies more widely available and affordable for everyone who can benefit from them.

The Challenges of Chronic Pain and Disability in a Traditional Healthcare System

When a catastrophic injury or chronic illness strikes, the initial response is almost always to rely on the allopathic medical model—emergency care, surgeries, medications, and specialist consultations. This approach is essential and often life-saving. However, as conditions become chronic or lifelong, the limitations of this model become painfully clear.

Chronic pain and disabilities frequently require ongoing management that goes beyond symptom suppression or episodic medical interventions. Unfortunately, many insurance policies and healthcare providers do not prioritize or cover integrative therapies, leaving patients without access to treatments that could reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance overall well-being.

Chanda Hinton’s own story powerfully illustrates this reality. At the age of 9, she was paralyzed below the chest after an accidental shooting severed her spinal cord at the C5-C6 level. This injury rendered her a quadriplegic, dependent on a power wheelchair, adaptive vehicles, caregivers, and a service dog for daily living. While the initial acute care saved her life, the years that followed were marked by over-reliance on medical interventions and medications that often came with side effects and diminishing returns.

"From 9 until I was 21, I was thrown into a medical model that, while critical, was overutilized in ways that ultimately left me bedbound, hospitalized, and dependent on feeding tubes and IV nutrition. I became a product of the healthcare system’s strengths and weaknesses." – Chanda Hinton

This experience underscores a vital truth: the allopathic system can save lives but is not always equipped to sustain long-term health and quality of life for those with complex, chronic conditions. In response, Chanda sought to blend traditional medicine with integrative therapies to create a more holistic, proactive, and preventative approach to care.

What is Integrative Care and Why Does it Matter?

Integrative care is a patient-centered approach that combines conventional medical treatments with complementary therapies proven to support symptom management, healing, and wellness. This can include acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, behavioral health, and more—all coordinated to address the whole person rather than isolated symptoms.

For people living with chronic pain and physical disabilities, integrative care offers several key benefits:

• Reduced pain levels: Many patients experience significant relief through non-pharmaceutical methods, which can reduce dependence on pain medications and their side effects.


• Improved mobility and function: Therapies like chiropractic care and physical therapy help maintain or enhance physical capabilities, even when full recovery isn’t possible.


• Less time spent in medical facilities: By proactively managing symptoms, patients can avoid frequent hospital visits and emergency room stays.


• Enhanced quality of life: Integrative care supports mental and emotional well-being, helping individuals engage more fully in their communities and work.

Despite these benefits, integrative therapies are often labeled as "alternative," implying they are secondary to mainstream medicine. This classification, along with insurance restrictions and lack of provider education about disability, limits access for many who could benefit the most.

"We need to move beyond the term 'alternative' and embrace integrative healthcare as an inclusive model that incorporates all beneficial therapies under one roof." – Chanda Hinton

The Chanda Center for Health: A Model for Inclusive, Integrative Care

In 2005, Chanda and her sister Crystal founded the Chanda Plan Foundation, which later evolved into the Chanda Center for Health. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with physical disabilities through direct access to integrative therapies tailored to their unique needs.

The Chanda Center offers a comprehensive range of services including acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care, physical therapy, behavioral health, and care coordination—all provided in a single, disability-competent clinic. This means that every provider is trained not only in their clinical specialty but also in the etiquette, accommodations, and communication skills necessary to serve people with complex disabilities respectfully and effectively.

For many patients, simply accessing a healthcare provider who understands their disability and treats them with dignity can be a transformative experience. The center addresses barriers such as:

• Lack of provider knowledge about disability-specific needs


• Inadequate accommodations for mobility and communication


• Social isolation and the emotional toll of chronic conditions


• Financial obstacles to accessing integrative therapies

By creating a welcoming, knowledgeable environment, the Chanda Center fosters trust and engagement, which are critical to successful long-term care.

Legislative Advocacy: Changing Systems for Lasting Impact

Direct service is only one part of the solution. Chanda and her foundation have also focused on systemic change, recognizing that many people with disabilities rely on Medicaid and other government programs that historically have not covered integrative therapies.

In 2009, the foundation played a pivotal role in passing a groundbreaking Medicaid waiver in Colorado that funds acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic services for people with spinal cord injuries. This waiver was the first of its kind, specifically designed to evaluate the efficacy and cost savings of integrative therapies for this population.

Since then, the program has expanded statewide and now includes additional diagnoses such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and brain injuries. The success of this model has demonstrated that integrative care not only improves health outcomes but also reduces healthcare costs by preventing complications and decreasing emergency visits.

"If individuals with long-term disabilities receive proactive, preventative integrative care, Medicaid can save money in the long run while improving quality of life." – Chanda Hinton

Looking ahead, the foundation aims to broaden this model across more Medicaid waivers and other states, advocating for policies that prioritize integrated, holistic care for all complex cases.

Addressing Misconceptions Around Integrative Therapies

Despite growing research supporting integrative care, skepticism remains, especially around therapies like chiropractic care. Some patients and healthcare providers question their legitimacy or effectiveness, often due to a lack of exposure or understanding.

Chanda emphasizes that integrative therapies are not about "fixing" disabilities or curing irreversible conditions. Instead, they focus on maintaining function, reducing secondary complications, and improving overall well-being. The effectiveness of each therapy varies by individual, and a personalized approach involving trial and error is often necessary.

Research and patient testimonials increasingly support the role of acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic care in managing symptoms such as chronic pain, muscle spasticity, and stress. By encouraging individuals to explore these options and advocating for broader insurance coverage, the Chanda Center is helping to shift perceptions and expand access.

Advice for Those Newly Facing Physical Disabilities

For individuals recently diagnosed with a physical disability or experiencing a life-altering injury, the healthcare journey can feel overwhelming. Multiple specialists, conflicting advice, and complex insurance systems add to the emotional and physical burden.

Chanda offers practical guidance for navigating this challenging time:

• Listen and learn: Absorb as much information as you can from healthcare providers, peers, and trusted resources.


• Trust your gut: Pay attention to what feels right for your body and mind.


• Start with low-risk options: Choose therapies or interventions with minimal side effects as you explore what works best.


• Allow flexibility: Your treatment plan can evolve—changing course is part of the process.


• Recognize the broader impact: Your health affects relationships, finances, and daily living, so consider these factors holistically.

Importantly, Chanda reminds us that it’s never too late to discover integrative care or to make changes that enhance quality of life, no matter how long you have been living with a disability.

The Broader Importance of Disability Competence in Healthcare

One of the most striking challenges highlighted by Chanda’s work is the pervasive lack of disability competence within the healthcare community. Many providers are not trained in how to accommodate or communicate effectively with patients who have complex physical needs, leading to feelings of alienation and substandard care.

Improving disability competence involves:

• Training providers in appropriate etiquette and communication


• Ensuring physical accessibility and adaptive equipment are available


• Creating an inclusive environment where patients feel respected and understood


• Educating healthcare systems about the unique needs of people with disabilities

When healthcare professionals are better equipped to serve disabled patients, outcomes improve not just for that population but for all patients, as systems become more flexible and responsive.

The Ripple Effect: Community and Cost Savings

The impact of integrative care and disability-competent services extends beyond individual patients. The Chanda Center has witnessed profound community benefits including:

• Reduced social isolation: Patients connect with others who understand their experiences, fostering support networks.


• Lower healthcare utilization: Fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations translate to cost savings for Medicaid and other insurers.


• Empowerment and advocacy: Patients become more engaged in their own care and in shaping health policy.

These outcomes illustrate that integrative care is not just a personal health choice but a public health imperative.

How to Learn More and Get Involved

If you or a loved one are living with chronic pain or a physical disability and want to explore integrative care options, the Chanda Center for Health in Colorado is an invaluable resource. They provide direct services and also support legislative advocacy to expand access to these therapies statewide and beyond.

Visit chandacenter.org to learn about their programs, eligibility criteria, and upcoming initiatives. The center also offers a care team ready to answer questions and help navigate available services.

Follow the Chanda Center on social media platforms for updates, educational content, and community stories. If you’re interested in advocacy, they provide a free playbook for replicating their Medicaid waiver model in other states.

Conclusion: Bridging the Gap Between Chronic Pain and Integrative Care

The journey through chronic pain and physical disability is deeply personal and complex. While the traditional allopathic healthcare system remains essential, it often falls short in addressing the holistic needs of those with long-term conditions. Integrative care offers a powerful complement—one that can reduce pain, improve function, and enhance quality of life.

Chanda Hinton’s story and the work of the Chanda Center for Health demonstrate that change is possible when we blend clinical expertise with compassion, education, and policy advocacy. By fostering disability competence, advocating for inclusive Medicaid policies, and providing accessible integrative therapies, they are helping to rewrite the narrative for people living with complex health challenges.

For anyone struggling with chronic pain or disability, know that you are not alone, and that integrative care may open doors to new possibilities for healing and vitality. Awareness is the first step—explore your options, connect with supportive communities, and advocate for the care you deserve.

Remember: Chronic pain and integrative care are not mutually exclusive but are part of a comprehensive approach to living well with complex health conditions.

You can learn more about Chanda and all the amazing work she is doing at chandacenter.org.

“I love Deana’s message inside The Chronic Pain Experience Podcast” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move toward a life well lived despite the pain. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Have your say! Complete our brief (3 min) survey to help me improve our growing podcast! You can do so HERE.