About Us
Pain Alternatives focuses on calming symptoms while identifying the root contributors to pain.
When pain cannot be fully eliminated, we help patients develop natural, sustainable, and cost-conscious strategies that support comfort, mobility, and quality of life.
Our mission is to help the body heal using hands-on, non-invasive, and integrative procedures, all under one roof.
We bring together healthcare providers committed to advancing pain management through evidence-informed, patient-centered care.
Meet Your Practitioners
Pain Alternatives is home to Acupuncture of West Michigan, which has served Grand Rapids since 2000. Care here comes from licensed, board-certified acupuncturists.
Stephen Durell, MTOM, L.Ac.
Stephen is the owner of Acupuncture of West Michigan. He earned his master's degree (MTOM) from Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine, graduating summa cum laude in 2000. He is National Board Certified in Acupuncture (NCCAOM) and holds a Certificate of Qualification in Acupuncture Point Injection Therapy, the training behind the Acupoint Injection Therapy offered here.
Lauren Nelson, MSOM, L.Ac.
Lauren is an NCCAOM-certified acupuncturist who graduated magna cum laude from Midwest College of Oriental Medicine. She pairs acupuncture with herbal therapy to support lasting relief.
Our Services
Pain Alternatives is owned by Durell Wellness and is home to Acupuncture of West Michigan, offering a range of integrative pain and healing therapies.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a technique that stimulates specific points on the body to regulate the nervous system, improve circulation, and support the body's own healing processes.
It's commonly used for musculoskeletal pain, neuropathic pain, inflammatory conditions, and stress-related pain patterns, as well as general recovery and tissue healing. Treatment is typically relaxing, using very thin needles placed at targeted points — many patients feel little more than a brief sensation, along with mild warmth or relaxation afterward (sourced from AWM's acupuncture page and first-visit blog post).
By restoring balance between the nervous system and circulation, acupuncture helps reduce pain and inflammation while supporting lasting functional improvement.
Herbal Medicine & Nutritional Counseling
Herbal medicine and nutritional counseling uses individualized herb combinations and whole-food-based nutritional supplements, chosen for each patient based on traditional use and modern science, to support the body's natural healing processes.
It's designed to reduce systemic inflammation, support connective tissue health, improve nerve function, enhance detoxification, and address the underlying drivers of chronic pain, and can be used alone or alongside acupuncture.
After an individualized assessment, patients receive specific herb and supplement recommendations, with convenient direct-ship ordering available for refills (ordering details sourced from AWM's herbal medicine page). Correctly matched herbal and nutritional support often leads to lasting symptom relief, even after the herbs or supplements have been discontinued.
Acupoint Injection Therapy
Acupoint injection therapy combines traditional acupuncture principles with small injections of vitamins, saline, botanical extracts, or high-dilution products delivered directly into acupuncture points.
It's often recommended for patients with stubborn pain patterns that haven't fully responded to acupuncture alone.
Because it builds on standard acupuncture technique, sessions follow a similar format to a regular acupuncture visit, with the addition of a small injection at select points. Patients often experience enhanced, faster results with longer-lasting pain relief compared to acupuncture alone.
Red Light Therapy & Laser Acupuncture
Red light therapy and laser acupuncture use near-infrared light to stimulate acupuncture points and tissue without needles, supporting the body's natural healing and regeneration.
It's a needle-free option well suited to patients seeking non-invasive care, and is commonly used for back and neck pain, arthritic joints, and nerve-related pain (conditions-treated detail sourced from AWM's acupuncture and no-needle-alternatives pages).
Treatments are painless and typically brief, and can be used alone or combined with traditional acupuncture as part of a broader plan. Patients often notice reduced inflammation, improved circulation, and faster tissue repair, with relief that can begin quickly.
Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM)
FSM is a gentle, non-invasive therapy that delivers extremely small electrical currents at specific frequencies matched to the tissue or condition being treated — most people don't even feel it happening.
It's used for acute injuries and flare-ups, chronic pain, muscle and myofascial pain, tendon and soft-tissue problems, joint pain, sports injuries, and nerve-related pain, including pain that hasn't responded well to other treatments (sourced from AWM's FSM blog post, since Pain Alternatives' own copy doesn't go into this depth).
Patients simply relax on the treatment table while electrodes or conductive pads are placed on the skin — some notice warmth, relaxation, or a sense of tissue "letting go," while others feel very little at all. Many people notice changes during or immediately after treatment, and FSM can be combined with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other therapies as part of an individualized plan.
Common Questions
Real answers about how integrative pain care works — from acupuncture and injection therapy to insurance, appointments, and what to expect at your first visit.
Future Expansion
We are actively building a comprehensive multidisciplinary pain center.
Upcoming services may include:
Chiropractic care
Physical therapy
Mental health support
Our vision is an integrated environment where patients can move seamlessly between providers — all working toward the same goal: meaningful, lasting pain relief.
FEATURED PARTNER:
We are here for you!
If you are looking for a coordinated, whole-person approach to pain, we welcome you.
Pain Alternatives is designed for:
West Michigan Residents
Individuals seeking non-invasive and integrative solutions for acute or chronic pain.
Healthcare Providers
Providers interested in collaborative care and referral relationships.
Contact Us
Send Us a Message
Call us at 616-855-0503 or complete the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
