In this month’s newsletter, we
highlight information about the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine (CEWM).
Founded in 1993, the Center was established with a vision to
provide healthcare that is safe, effective, affordable and
accessible through the integration of the best of Chinese medicine
with Western medicine. This clinic now serves approximately 13,000
patient visits per year. (read
more about the center) Problems viewing the file? (download adobe reader) Making
Different Healthcare Choices Work Together! Who Will Lead the Way? Have you ever been faced with so many
choices, you were unable to make a decision?
The
UCLA Collaborative Centers for Integrative Medicine
brings together the best that mind-body, complementary, and Western
biomedicine have to offer.
Through this comprehensive
collaboration, you’ll find complementary medical systems such as
Traditional Chinese Medicine or homeopathy; mind-body interventions
such as meditation or hypnosis; biologically-based therapies like
herbal medicine; and manipulative and body-based methods such as
massage and tai chi, just to name a few. UCLA has embraced the
integrative approach to healthcare delivery – and in particular
the benefits of thousands of years of healing and quality life
choices promoted through the practice of Traditional Chinese
Medicine. (read
more)
What is Traditional Chinese Medicine? While Western medicine zeroes in on a specific
illness or treatment, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) takes into
account the entire body’s balance and energy reserve, working to
restore and maintain that balance and vitality through proper diet,
exercise, meditation, massage, acupuncture and acupressure.
“We don’t just treat a problem, we treat a person with
a problem,” says Ka-Kit Hui, M.D., founder and director of the
Center. “We are championing a new health model that blends the
best of Chinese medicine with modern biomedicine.”
(read
more) Action Hero Takes Time Out to Visit UCLA's Center for East-West Medicine
On April 20, 2004, doctors and staff at the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine (CEWM) were honored to have Jackie Chan and his colleagues pay them a visit. Mr. Chan demonstrated great interest in the CEWM specialists’ ability to solve difficult health problems - including chronic pain - and voiced his support for the Center. (read more)
Do you suffer from the pain of rheumatoid arthritis or tension headaches? Can Tai Chi or relaxation therapy make the pain more manageable? Tai Chi features
slow repetitive movements, relaxation and a meditative focus
intended to improve health and well being. Relaxation training
features in-depth instruction in relaxation techniques, designed to
improve a person’s ability to relax at will and better cope with
the pain symptoms. UCLA
researchers have demonstrated that traditional, low-impact mind-body
exercises – Tai Chi and Qi Gong -- have a positive effect on
tension headaches. It
can reduce the number of headaches as well as the intensity of the
pain in adults suffering from tension-type headaches. The study
showed that the regular practice of these exercises improved overall
physical health. Currently,
a UCLA-led research team is seeking 80 volunteers with rheumatoid
arthritis for a study comparing the effects of Tai Chi versus
relaxation therapy on a patient's ability to cope with rheumatoid
arthritis and the effect of these treatments on the severity and
progression of the disease. (read
more) Ohmmm! What if the Doctor Prescribed Meditation Instead of Medication? Most people try meditation, yoga or Tai Chi on their own, not from a doctor's recommendation. Ka-Kit Hui, M.D., director of the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine, would like that to change. Dr. Hui says there's plenty of evidence to show that mind-body therapies such as meditation are beneficial and should be recommended alongside conventional treatments. For example, a patient with hypertension who meditates might be able to take a lower dose of medicine. (read more) A Parent Feels so Helpless When Their Child is in Pain! “All
pain – from belly aches to cancer pain – has a physical and
emotional component,” stresses Lonnie Zeltzer, M.D., a UCLA
pediatric pain specialist. When treatable causes of the pain have
been ruled out, UCLA’s treatment plan aims to restore well-being
with a combination of traditional and complementary approaches.
(read
more) A medical doctor and a medical psychologist, reflecting the importance of the integration of mind and body, lead the Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA Pediatric Pain Program. In addition to the disciplines of medicine and psychology, this unique team integrates a variety of other healing disciplines that include acupuncture, biofeedback, hypnotherapy, yoga and massage therapy. (read more)
Are Herbs Better Than Prescription Drugs? Herbal remedies can be helpful in some clinical situations when
used appropriately; but, like over-the-counter and prescription
drugs, need to be approached with caution,” says Ka-Kit Hui, M.D.
It is unknown whether and how
herbal supplements interact with most medications. Be sure to let
your doctor(s) know all types of herbs, vitamins, supplements and
over-the-counter drugs you are taking. If your doctor is unfamiliar
with these, also consult a medical authority or pharmacist
acquainted with them. (read
more) How Strong is the Power of Touch? Can Massage "Cure" You? Though
the use of massage as a healing art has been around for thousands of
years, many medical professionals are just beginning to recognize
the medical benefits of massage. Many studies have found that
massage can help to reduce chronic pain, diminish anxiety and
depression, and strengthen the immune system. According to Dr. Hui,
“Massage is a very important therapeutic approach which is
underutilized and under appreciated. A lot of people think massage
is good for aches and pains. But what we have found is that massage
activates the body’s own healing system.”
(read
more) Headache? Neck pain? Everyone has probably experienced one or both of these unpleasant conditions on occasion, or even frequently. What if you could have a pain-relieving massage at your fingertips – anytime you needed it? Click here to learn how to experience the benefits of “self-massage,” also known as acupressure.
Photo: Alceu and Laila Vezozzo of Curitiba, Brazil flanked by Mark Gelhaus and Nels Christianson Are you interested in hearing A UCLA medical-expert speak in person? If so, one of our world-class faculty physicians may be scheduled to speak in a city near you. (Click here to contact us about upcoming speaking events) If you are interested in Continuing Medical Education offered by UCLA click here. Does Your Doctor Listen to What You Say? A UCLA East-West Medicine Center patient who suffered from terrible shoulder pain reported that when she told Dr.Ka-Kit Hui all that she’d been experiencing, including a battery of tests and physician visits that did nothing to relieve her pain, Dr. Hui made the connection between her symptoms and the fertility treatments she’d been receiving. Dr. Hui realized what no one else had – the fertility treatments were causing her to produce unusually high levels of adrenaline. Because he listened and considered the entire person - not just the symptoms - the doctor was able to see the full picture. (read more) At the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine, medical doctors and
acupuncturists – trained in the principles and techniques of both
western biomedicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
-- work in unison to treat patients. The team incorporates
therapies such as TCM therapeutic acupuncture or therapeutic massage
with western techniques such as trigger point injections and
prescription drugs. Acupuncture points and trigger points can also be stimulated by
other means - without needles - such as
massage heat, magnets. (read
more about acupuncture) Taking Control of Your Health! Gerald Oppenheimer, businessman, philanthropist, community leader and president of the Oppenheimer Family Foundation has distinguished himself through a lifetime of commitment and caring. Speaking about the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine, Mr. Oppenheimer says, “I believe in education and prevention. Self-help is a critical component in healthcare. Dr. Hui has taught me to apply acupressure myself to keep me healthy. I’ve always thought that people should come to the East-West Center before they get really sick. The East-West Center is changing the whole way of thinking behind current medical practices.” (Learn more about Self-Massage) Anita L. DeFrantz, an Olympic bronze medalist, member of the International Olympic Committee, president of the Amateur Athletic Foundation also supports the work of the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine. “The Center helps patients better understand the internal body forces and exterior environmental forces that impact that process. By educating coaches to prevent injuries and assist in the injury recovery stage, the Center benefits all of us involved in sports.” (read more) Many of our readers sent us their questions on
a variety of topics. Following
are a few of the questions we received and the answers provided by
surgeons at UCLA Medical Center. Please send any questions you have concerning
next month’s topic: The new Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center to international@mednet.ucla.edu Who can be helped at the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine? Is there any risk taking herbal supplements?
If it’s organic, doesn’t that mean it’s good for you? Any substance introduced into the body can have adverse effects, even if that substance is something from nature or even natural to the body itself. Herbs and supplements may themselves have harmful side effects or be toxic, depending on the dosage taken and the health of the person taking them. Herbs and supplements can interact with foods, other herbs/supplements or medications, creating an imbalance in the body. Some are diuretics, causing frequent urination, or have ingredients that may cause high blood pressure or liver inflammation. Sometimes, a medical condition such as immune dysfunction, allergy, or a metabolic problem alters a supplement's effect and produces an unexpected reaction. For example, someone allergic to a particular plant material may suffer an allergic response to its herbal form. Improper use - taking too much or mixing different supplements - can result in serious illness. (read more) Why should I come to
UCLA’s Center for East-West Medicine?
A Few Special Comments from Ka-Kit Hui, M.D. “In the United States, the
renaissance of complementary medicine reflects in part the American
public’s dissatisfaction with the current biomedical approach to
healthcare. This resurgence of traditional medicines, of which
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the most popular, is also
indicative of American’s increased interest in wellness and in
more personal control of health,” explains Dr. Ka-Kit Hui.
“Clinicians knowledgeable in both TCM and Western medicine provide
an integrative approach by conceptually and practically blending the
best of both healing traditions. This innovative approach has
benefited many patients with conditions that do not respond to other
treatments. Their individualized treatment plans include patient
education and a careful orchestration of diagnostic and therapeutic
methods comprised of acupuncture, acupressure, dietary/herbal
therapies and Tai Chi/Qi Gong.
(read more)
If you have not subscribed, please do so now. click here Check the Weather in Los Angeles Right Now. |
|
|
||||
|
||||
|
|
