As chronic and acute pain drive rising opioid overdoses among veterans, Zeel emphasizes the urgent need for alternative pain management. In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, Zeel is introducing a new permanent 20% discount to bring relief to veterans and active-duty service members.
(New York, NY) May 14, 2025 — Chronic pain is the leading cause of disability among veterans. (1) Too often, those suffering from this debilitating condition are prescribed opioids at alarming high rates, leaving them vulnerable to addiction, overdose, and even suicide. The harsh truth: despite efforts to reduce opioid prescriptions, overdose rates in the veteran community are still climbing. (2) “Meanwhile, safe evidence-based alternatives like Medical Massage Therapy provide non-pharmaceutical options—not an unrelenting cycle of pain and dependency," said Dr. M Robert Peters, Chief Medical Officer at Zeel.
Medical Massage Therapy (MMT) reduces pain, improves mobility, and decreases reliance on medication. Zeel— a leading provider of in-home medical massage and a VA-authorized Community Care Network provider—brings licensed therapists directly to veterans, whether at home or in office. "It’s time to stop viewing MMT as a luxury and start recognizing it for what it is: a critical, evidence-based medical solution,” said Peters.
Opioids are killing our veterans
The statistics are shocking: Veterans with chronic or acute pain are twice as likely to be prescribed sedatives—and more likely to suffer adverse outcomes, including overdose and hospitalization. (4) This creates a widespread ripple effect:
Cleve Humvee, a decorated combat veteran, battled chronic pain for years. (7) Over time, the endless cycle of prescriptions led to addiction, financial ruin, and ultimately tragedy when he died from an opioid overdose.
"We’ve seen firsthand how many veterans— after a lifetime of service— can’t get the care they need quickly enough. But with rapid access to medical massage therapy, 94% report pain relief, and more than half reduce or even stop taking painkillers," highlights Samer Hamadeh, Founder & CEO at Zeel.
Medical Massage Therapy: A Proven Alternative
For more than a decade, Zeel has been breaking new ground providing in-home massage therapy to millions. Since 2021, through the VA Community Care Network, Zeel’s has completed over 150,000 MMT appointments to treat veterans nationwide.
Here’s how Zeel makes a difference:
A Mission Grounded in Service
Despite rising costs, MMT should be accessible to every veteran. That’s why Zeel is proud to offer a permanent 20% discount on all medical massage therapy services for veterans and active-duty members. This ensures more veterans get the care they need and deserve.
“For us, it’s about more than just treatment—it's about restoring dignity, independence, and quality care of life,” said Hamadeh. “We owe our veterans more than gratitude. At Zeel, we’re proud to be part of a smarter, safer path forward—one that puts veterans’ well-being at the center of the solution.”
Got Questions About Medical Massage Therapy?
Learn more about our 20% veteran discount and how in-home therapy works by visiting zeel.com/military-discount or calling at 877-GET-ZEEL.
Follow us on Instagram @GetZeelVeteran.
About Zeel
Zeel is redefining access to care by delivering in-home and virtual health services focused on musculoskeletal pain, stress, and mental well-being. Its HIPAA-compliant platform connects patients to a national network of over 11,000 licensed providers—including massage therapists, physical therapists, nurses, and behavioral health professionals—offering care directly to the home. A proud member of the VA Community Care Network, Zeel provides in-network Medical Massage Therapy for veterans suffering from chronic pain, PTSD, and related conditions. Beyond veteran services, the company also supports corporate wellness and hospitality sectors with scalable on-site care solutions. Zeel blends technology, clinical excellence, and whole person care to make healthcare more personalized, convenient, and impactful.
For more information, visit www.zeel.com/military-discount.
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