UCLA Health: Bridging East and West in Modern Medicine

The UCLA Health System stands as a beacon of integrative medicine, blending Eastern traditions with Western medical practices to promote health, prevent disease, and treat chronic conditions. The Center for East-West Medicine (CEWM) at UCLA Health embodies this philosophy, utilizing a unique integrative health model grounded in rational thinking, modern advancements, and evidence-based research. This approach aims not only to treat illness but also to educate patients, ensuring long-term health and disease prevention.

The East-West Medicine Philosophy

At the heart of UCLA's East-West Medicine approach is the belief that all forms of medicine share a common goal: to alleviate human suffering and enhance quality of life. The difference lies in the methods used to achieve this goal. Ka-Kit Hui, MD, FACP, emphasizes that "the blending of traditional and biomedical approaches to health and healing can maximize the safety and effectiveness of care in an accessible and affordable manner."

The integrative physicians at the Center are driven by the principles of safety and cost-effectiveness. They employ a systems-oriented approach to address the complex needs of each individual, striving to restore balance and overall well-being. This aligns with the World Health Organization's definition of health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."

An Integrative Clinical Approach

The UCLA Health clinic distinguishes itself through its integrative nature. Physicians are US-trained, board-certified, and possess expertise in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The clinical team includes non-physician expert clinical extenders who are trained in TCM. This collaborative team applies a patient-centered approach to develop individualized integrative treatment plans tailored to meet each patient's unique needs.

Conditions Treated

The UCLA Center for East-West Medicine addresses a wide range of medical conditions, including:

Pain Management: Neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, hip pain, knee pain, osteoarthritis, post-surgical chronic pain, pregnancy-related back pain, myofascial pain, sciatica, neuropathy, neuropathic pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow.
Headaches: Migraine headaches and other headache disorders.
Respiratory Issues: Asthma, allergies.
Women's Health: Dysmenorrhea, postpartum nutrition, menopausal hot flashes, morning sickness.
Cancer Support: Cancer-related and chemotherapy-associated nausea and fatigue.
Fatigue and Pain Syndromes: Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, post-viral syndrome.
Mental Health: Anxiety, depression, insomnia.
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Irritable bowel syndrome and other functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Stress Management

East-West Consultative Service vs. East-West Primary Care

It's important to distinguish between the two main services offered: East-West Primary Care and East-West Consultative Care.

East-West Primary Care: Established in July 2013, this branch provides both primary and continuity medical care. It is currently available only at the Santa Monica location and is staffed by physicians including Dr. Edward Hui, Dr. Katie Hu, Dr. Alan Chu, Dr. Mary Fok, and Dr. Sungjin Kuon.
East-West Consultative Care: This subspecialty clinic offers holistic services that integrate conventional biomedicine and TCM to address a broad spectrum of clinical problems and diseases. Patients are evaluated by board-certified internists and family practitioners with varying levels of training in TCM. Treatment plans, overseen by physicians, may incorporate acupuncture, trigger point injections, myofascial release, medication adjustments, lifestyle coaching, and dietary recommendations. These plans are delivered through a team-based approach that often includes clinical extenders (acupuncturists, manual therapists). This service is available at all three clinical sites: Santa Monica, Westlake Village, and Torrance.

Treatment Approaches

Patients are evaluated by board-certified internists, family practitioners, and geriatricians who possess diverse backgrounds in TCM. Integrative treatment plans often involve a combination of lifestyle coaching, dietary adjustments, medication management, clinical guidance, acupuncture, trigger point injections, and bodywork. This low-tech, low-cost, and high-touch approach is delivered by a team comprising dual-trained physicians and clinician extenders, supported by dedicated administrative and clinical staff.

The patient is considered the most crucial element of the treatment process. Self-help and active participation in rehabilitation, recovery, and lifestyle optimization are strongly encouraged to maintain and improve health.

The Integrative Treatment Team

A physician is present at every visit. In many instances, a clinician extender, typically an acupuncturist or manual therapist, may also be involved in the patient's care. In California, licensed acupuncturists must complete a four-year master's degree program in TCM or graduate from a TCM school in China and pass a rigorous state board examination. All acupuncturists at the Center for East-West Medicine are board-certified and trained in both TCM and modern Western medicine.

Beyond Acupuncture

The UCLA Center for East-West Medicine is not solely an acupuncture clinic. Unlike community acupuncture clinics run by acupuncturists or TCM practitioners, UCLA's clinic is a physician-led consultative clinic within the Department of Medicine. Patients are typically referred by primary care providers and specialists. The initial evaluation involves a comprehensive history and physical examination performed by a board-certified physician (MD). A collaborative care plan is then developed, which may include acupuncture, trigger point injections, bodywork, and/or medical management/coordination.

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Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Applications

Acupuncture is a therapeutic method with a history spanning over 2000 years. While various techniques and styles are practiced in the West, the scientific evidence supporting acupuncture's effectiveness is still evolving. This is partly due to the challenges of studying a dynamic, patient-centered system using research methodologies designed for reductionist scientific inquiry. However, a growing body of research suggests that acupuncture is effective for a range of conditions, including chronic headaches, knee osteoarthritis, chronic pain, dysmenorrhea (painful periods), and certain musculoskeletal injuries.

Traditional and modern acupuncture texts list hundreds of conditions that may respond to acupuncture. Modern clinical research has focused on evaluating acupuncture's efficacy in treating a limited number of conditions. Studies have demonstrated acupuncture's effectiveness in treating:

Chronic Pain: Low back pain, neck pain, facial pain, headaches, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, joint pain, arthritis, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis.
Acute Pain: Dental pain, post-surgical pain.
Sinusitis
Asthma
Urological Problems: Urgent or frequent urination.
Gynecological Problems: Menstrual pain, menstrual irregularity, menopausal symptoms, pelvic pain.
Anxiety

Acupuncture Needles: Safety and Side Effects

Acupuncture needles used at UCLA are individually packaged and sterile, ensuring patient safety. They are used once and then properly disposed of, with no recycling. Acupuncture needles are significantly thinner and smaller than hypodermic needles used for blood draws and immunizations. The degree of discomfort experienced during acupuncture depends on individual sensitivity and the specific acupuncture points used. While uncommon, some redness, bruising, minor bleeding, or swelling may occur at the needled area. In rare cases, individuals may faint or experience muscle spasms.

Trigger Point Injections

Trigger point injections are another needle-based treatment commonly used in conjunction with acupuncture at the UCLA clinic. This technique, popularized by Janet Travell, involves using a slightly larger needle to deactivate trigger points and address muscle tension and spasm. A small amount of local anesthetic, typically lidocaine, is injected. Corticosteroids are not used. Patients may experience soreness, bruising, or minor inflammation in the treated area. Allergic reactions to lidocaine are rare but possible, potentially resulting in inflammation, swelling, or rash.

Herbal and Supplement Recommendations

Recommendations for herbs, vitamins, and supplements are based on both modern medical and TCM approaches. The UCLA Center for East-West Medicine has no affiliations or financial disclosures with pharmaceutical or herbal/supplement companies. Herbal and supplement recommendations may vary depending on individual conditions, patient preferences, and the East-West Medicine provider.

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Navigating Your Care: The myUCLAhealth Portal

The myUCLAhealth portal offers convenient access to various healthcare services:

Video Visits: Allows patients to consult with their doctor remotely, saving time and travel.
Appointment Management: View detailed information about upcoming appointments, request changes, or cancel appointments.
Direct Communication: Contact your doctorâs office for non-urgent questions and receive health reminders.
Medication Management: Review, renew, and request current medications.
Lab and Imaging Results: Access lab results and other test results, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Preparing for Your First Appointment

To ensure a smooth and productive first visit, patients are advised to:

Arrive 15-20 minutes early to complete paperwork, have vital signs taken, and review medications.
Complete the pre-visit questionnaire.
Bring a list of main concerns and specific requests (referrals, refills) to be discussed during the visit.
Bring all medication bottles or an updated medication list, including over-the-counter medications, supplements, and herbal products.

Communicating with Your Doctor

Patients have several options for contacting their doctor:

Phone: Call and leave a message with the UCLA Health Patient Communication Center (PCC), providing as much detail as possible. Allow up to 24 hours for a response during business hours.
myUCLAhealth Portal: Communicate with the office through the portal for non-urgent concerns. Allow up to 48 business hours for a response.

Addressing Urgent Needs

For urgent medical needs:

Weekdays: Call 310-998-9118 during normal hours to request an urgent appointment.
Evenings/Weekends: Access after-hours care at one of the UCLA Health immediate care locations.
Serious and Life-Threatening Concerns: Call 911.

Policies Regarding Late Arrival and Missed Appointments

Late Arrival: Patients arriving late may be moved to the next available slot or worked in between other patients, as time allows. The visit may be shorter in duration.
No-Show/Late Cancellation: Patients are requested to provide at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations may result in dismissal from the clinic.

Insurance Information

The UCLA Center for East-West Medicine accepts most PPOs, HMOs (UCLA Medical Group), and Medicare. The clinic does not accept out-of-network Medi-Cal/Medicaid or out-of-network health plans. Patients are responsible for confirming with their insurance carrier whether UCLA Health is a network provider under their plan prior to receiving services. Patients are responsible for balances not covered by their insurance.

Immunizations/Vaccinations

Routine immunizations/vaccinations and screening tests are available at the clinic. HMO patients require authorization before receiving vaccinations. Medicare patients are encouraged to obtain vaccinations/immunizations through retail pharmacies. PPO patients should contact their insurance carrier to verify coverage before receiving vaccinations.

A Commitment to Responsible Healthcare

The physicians at UCLA Center for East-West Medicine are committed to minimizing unnecessary laboratory testing, imaging studies, medication use, and referrals.

A Leader in Integrative Medicine

UCLA Health is recognized as a leader in integrative medicine, with a strong emphasis on research, teaching, and clinical practice. The UCLA Collaborative Centers for Integrative Medicine (CCIM) serves as an umbrella organization for 11 institutions and their subsidiaries, and is a member of the national Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine (CAHCIM).

The Center for East-West Medicine receives frequent visits from physicians and administrators from around the world, highlighting its reputation and influence in the field. While integrative medicine is often seen as a last resort, its increasing acceptance as a safer and more affordable alternative is encouraging.

Success Stories

Renate Winkler, a patient suffering from postural hypotension, recurring abdominal pain, and constipation due to intestinal obstructions, found relief at the East-West Center. After two unsuccessful intestinal surgeries and numerous hospitalizations, she was treated by Dr. Hui, who recommended acupuncture, massage, and trigger point injections. Winkler was also taught self-massage techniques and began practicing meditation and tai chi. As a result, her symptoms have been alleviated, and she has avoided hospitalization for over a year.

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