Choosing the right healthcare provider is a significant decision, especially when seeking a holistic and patient-centered approach to wellness. If you’re looking for a functional medicine doctor in Los Angeles, UCLA Health offers world-class integrative medical services that may align with your health goals. UCLA Health’s team of experts in integrative medicine provides treatments designed to enhance both your physical and mental well-being.
Comprehensive Integrative Medicine Programs and Services
UCLA Health distinguishes itself by offering a complete spectrum of integrative medicine programs and services. Recognizing that each individual’s health journey is unique, their specialists provide care at every stage. From primary and preventive care to specialized inpatient services and various integrative therapies, UCLA Health is equipped to support individuals managing chronic conditions and those seeking proactive wellness strategies. Their diverse range of programs, services, and clinics are thoughtfully designed to integrate into your life, address your specific health needs, and help you achieve optimal health outcomes. This patient-centered approach is a key aspect of functional medicine, focusing on personalized care.
Expert Team of Integrative Medicine Specialists
At the heart of UCLA Health’s integrative medicine program is a team of nationally recognized experts. You can expect to receive care from board-certified doctors who are not only leaders in their respective fields but also actively involved in pioneering research in integrative health. Their expertise spans across various disciplines, including nutrition, traditional Chinese medicine, and more. This multidisciplinary team collaborates to deliver integrative and effective treatments, ensuring a comprehensive approach to your health concerns. This level of expertise is critical when seeking a qualified functional medicine doctor.
The Future of Integrative Medicine: UCLA Health Center for Integrative Medicine
UCLA Health is further solidifying its commitment to integrative medicine with the development of a new, state-of-the-art Center for Integrative Medicine. This center is envisioned to streamline patient services and consolidate many of UCLA Health’s lifestyle programs into one convenient location. The facility will feature advanced amenities such as a test kitchen for nutritional guidance, a yoga studio for mind-body practices, a fitness center to promote physical well-being, and dedicated spaces for support group meetings, fostering a holistic healing environment. This center will be a hub for those seeking functional medicine approaches within a renowned medical institution.
Explore UCLA Health’s Integrative Services
UCLA Health provides access to integrative medicine through various avenues, encompassing primary care, inpatient care, specialty services, and community partnerships. Their integrative medicine specialists take a holistic view, considering the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit to promote overall well-being. Their services are designed to address a wide range of health needs:
Primary Care and Wellness Programs
UCLA Health’s integrative medicine experts are dedicated to helping individuals of all ages achieve healthier lives. They emphasize collaboration across specialties and work in partnership with you to proactively manage your health. Their preventive care and wellness programs include:
- UCLA Brain Wellness Center: This center utilizes proactive screening to detect subtle changes in brain chemistry, structure, and function. Through advanced brain imaging and comprehensive integrative evaluations, specialists can identify early symptoms and develop targeted and effective treatment plans.
- UCLA Center for East-West Medicine: This center uniquely blends the best of Western medicine with the ancient wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine. This integrated approach empowers individuals to actively manage their health and address chronic diseases through lifestyle interventions such as acupuncture, acupressure, and personalized nutrition plans.
- UCLA Center for Human Nutrition: Experts at this center collaborate with registered dietitians and psychologists to create personalized nutrition plans that are not only designed to enhance overall health but also to prevent disease. They offer tailored strategies to help individuals achieve and maintain a healthy weight through sustainable nutrition and lifestyle modifications. They also provide specialized nutritional guidance and support for individuals who have undergone transplants and those managing cancer or other chronic illnesses.
- UCLA Integrative Digestive Health and Wellness Program: UCLA Health is at the forefront of innovative treatments for gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. Their integrative approach recognizes the intricate brain-gut connection, treating the whole person rather than just the digestive system. Their GI health psychologists specialize in evidence-based psychological treatments, including gut-directed cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, and hypnosis, to address the psychological components of GI disorders.
Inpatient Integrative Care Services
UCLA Health extends its integrative approach to inpatient care, aiming to accelerate healing and enhance patient comfort through therapies that emphasize the mind-body connection and the therapeutic power of touch. These services include:
- Massage Services: Through partnerships with organizations like the Heart Touch Project, UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital offers gentle touch and pediatric massage services for children. Massage therapy is also available to family members, providing support during challenging times.
Alt text: Gentle massage therapy provided to a child at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital as part of integrative care, highlighting UCLA Health’s functional medicine doctor approach in Los Angeles.
- UCLA Art and Music at the Bedside: Volunteer musicians bring the healing power of music directly to patients’ hospital rooms, offering soothing and uplifting performances on instruments like guitar, harp, and cello. Volunteer artists also provide art kits and supplies, guiding patients through creative activities such as mandala coloring, origami, and journaling, promoting relaxation and emotional well-being.
- UCLA East-West Inpatient Consult Service: Available at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, this service integrates trigger point injections, mindfulness practices, and lifestyle medicine into inpatient care. Patients are also taught self-acupressure techniques, empowering them to continue these therapies at home.
- UCLA Health Inpatient Integrative Therapy Program: This program focuses on creating a healing environment and promoting relaxation through gentle in-bed movement exercises, reiki, restorative poses, and aromatherapy. Specially trained therapists guide patients through bedside meditation and breath awareness exercises, fostering a sense of calm and inner peace.
- UCLA Health People-Animal Connection (PAC): This animal-assisted therapy program brings the companionship and comfort of specially trained dogs to critically ill children and adults. These bedside visits have been shown to promote healing, uplift spirits, and create a sense of calm and connection. PAC has provided over 120,000 inpatient visits since 1994, demonstrating the profound impact of human-animal interaction in healthcare settings.
Specialty Integrative Medical Services
UCLA Health offers a diverse range of specialty integrative medical services to help individuals manage chronic conditions, take proactive control of their health, and enhance their overall sense of well-being. These services combine cutting-edge technology and innovative treatments with a deep understanding of the mind-body connection. Their specialty care services include:
- Simms/Mann-UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology: This center provides comprehensive support for individuals navigating their cancer journey. Oncology social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and nutritionists offer guidance and support to patients and their families, helping them navigate the complexities of the medical system, develop effective coping strategies, and improve their overall quality of life. The center offers support groups, psychosocial care, and workshops on topics ranging from mind-body healing to stress management techniques.
- Greet the Day Program: Therapists provide comforting hand and foot massages to patients undergoing treatment at the UCLA Health Bowyer Oncology Infusion Center. These massages have been clinically proven to reduce common side effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea, pain, anxiety, and fatigue.
- Integrative Psychiatry: This approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in mental health. Integrative and complementary therapies are used to address psychiatric disorders and improve overall well-being. Mind-body therapies are tailored to individual needs, promoting resilience and long-term wellness.
- Music Therapy Program: Music therapy is a powerful tool that has been shown to reduce pain, accelerate healing, and improve mood. Trained music therapists create personalized therapy sessions to nurture cognitive, emotional, and physical health. Therapies may include guided music meditation, songwriting, and improvisation. The program collaborates with rehabilitation specialists to enhance the effectiveness of other therapeutic interventions.
- UCLA Integrative Diabetes and Endocrinology Care: Individuals with diabetes benefit from a specialized approach that integrates lifestyle modifications with conventional medical care. Strategies for managing diabetes include stress reduction techniques, yoga, and mindfulness practices, alongside medical management.
- UCLA Integrative Medicine and Rheumatology Program: Experts in conditions such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, connective tissue disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis offer customized solutions for chronic pain management. Their approach emphasizes vitamin D optimization, therapeutic exercise, meditation, and healthy sleep habits to help individuals live with less pain and improved function.
- UCLA Sleep Disorders Center: Sleep medicine doctors collaborate with integrative medicine specialists to diagnose and treat sleep disorders in both children and adults. They combine clinical research and evidence-based treatments with personalized diet and lifestyle recommendations to improve sleep quality and overall health.
Community Outreach and Research Initiatives
UCLA Health is committed to extending the benefits of integrative health to the wider community through various outreach programs and research initiatives. Their experts actively share knowledge and resources on a broad spectrum of health-related topics.
Through classes and information sessions, UCLA Health aims to inspire individuals to prioritize their well-being by exploring the profound connection between mind and body. Their community-focused programs include:
- Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC): MARC offers accessible mindfulness practices to individuals from all backgrounds through drop-in meditation sessions, workshops, webinars, and retreats. They teach meditation skills and guide participants in exploring how these techniques can cultivate greater centeredness, peace, and overall health. MARC collaborates with the Norman Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology to investigate the intricate ways in which mind-body interactions influence health and recovery from illness.
- UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative (CRI): CRI’s mission is to enhance public understanding of the effects of cannabis on the body, brain, and mind. As a pioneering academic program dedicated to cannabis research, CRI investigates the potential risks, benefits, and therapeutic applications of cannabis. Through education and community engagement, CRI provides a balanced perspective on cannabis use, grounded in scientific and social considerations.
- UCLA Health Sound Body Sound Mind: This initiative addresses childhood obesity through comprehensive and innovative fitness programs implemented in middle and high schools across Los Angeles. The program provides state-of-the-art fitness centers, a complete physical education curriculum, and professional development for teachers and staff, empowering children to make healthier choices and establish lifelong healthy habits.
Conditions Treated with Integrative Medicine
UCLA Health integrative medicine specialists are equipped to manage and treat a vast array of conditions, disorders, diseases, and injuries. Their integrative approach is beneficial for individuals seeking support for pain management, chronic illnesses, cancer, and behavioral health concerns, including anxiety and depression. They collaborate closely with specialists across various UCLA Health departments to deliver personalized, compassionate care and tailored treatment plans.
Integrative Medicine Treatments Offered
UCLA Health’s integrative medicine specialists offer a wide range of treatments and therapies designed to optimize your health. When developing a personalized treatment plan, they prioritize understanding you as a whole person, considering your lifestyle, physical health, and mental well-being.
Treatment plans are designed to promote healing and foster long-term health and wellness. Treatments may include:
- Hands-on therapies such as acupuncture, trigger point injections, massage, reiki, and other manual techniques.
- Counseling and psychological support for mental and physical health concerns, including cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, and hypnosis.
- Personalized exercise and fitness programs tailored to your body type, health status, lifestyle, and goals.
- Mindfulness, meditation, yoga, tai chi, and other breathing and centering exercises to promote relaxation and stress reduction.
- Various forms of therapy, including music therapy, art therapy, animal-assisted therapy, and aromatherapy using essential oils.
- Traditional Chinese medicine approaches, nutritional guidance, and the use of vitamins and dietary supplements to support overall health.
Meet the Expert Integrative Medicine Team
The UCLA Health integrative medicine team brings together extensive expertise in internal medicine, integrative medicine, and traditional Chinese medicine. They combine diverse approaches based on your individual health history and tailor your care plan to meet your unique needs.
UCLA Health emphasizes comprehensive care through collaboration with specialists across various departments, ensuring you receive the most effective and integrated treatments and therapies available.
Connect with UCLA Health Integrative Medicine
To learn more about UCLA Health’s integrative medicine services or to schedule an appointment, please call 310-267-8271. You can also find a list of their locations online to find an Integrative Medicine clinic that is convenient for you.
