UCLA Center for East-West Medicine Santa Monica

Wonderful experience. Front desk is professional and personal, Dr. M. Taw and Dr. Ming-​Dong Li, the acupuncturist, are both wonderful and have helped me a lot. They are very caring and each appointment listen to all of my concerns. I highly recommend them
Rita B.

The physicians? A+
The front desk? A+
The acupuncture? A+
Scheduling? F– Their Epic Systems restricting the number of appointments dropped me off their calendar by mistake. Why?

Following up on a previous review after months of going back and forth with their billing department/​william/​office manager Linda. I have emailed them numerous times along with BBB and UCLA.
DON’T GO HERE, THEY WILL RIP YOU OFF!!!
When I first came here they told me my visits would be $ 40, thought great sign me up. NOOOOO they didn’t mention that was just for acupuncture and that on top of that the office visits weren’t covered by my insurance. They billed me $ 795 for THREE Visits. Yes the math comes out to $ 265 a visit not including $ 40 acupuncture. So yes for the doctor spending 15 minutes with me and sitting with needles in me for 30 minutes (total spent 45 minutes in office) I am paying $ 305.
I hope that Dr Hui and Dr Yu are happy, they get to wear nice cloths and go out for dinners, I had to take on babysitting jobs to help pay for this exorbitant amount. I’m sure they all are very happy and proud that they have taken advantage of someone who needed medical attention and still does but because of you can not afford it. I will continue to make $ 25 monthly payments. You people disgust me especially DR. YU, DR HUI, William and Linda and the entire staff!

please do not let dr. taw treat you… he does not provide, in my opinion, good, quality care and his results are not what is expected. I went two years ago and i’m still fighting with them over my bill. read the reviews, there must be a reason why so many people give him ONE star… DON’T GO!!!

Phenomenal experience here. The staff is unbelievably kind and welcoming. The doctors know exactly what they’re doing. I suffered from shoulder and arm pain for 3 long years, and I was feeling 90% better by the 5^th treatment. HIGHLY recommend East/​West Medicine :)

I mistakenly thought the East-​West Center would offer integrative medicine. It does not. It also dangerously misses the mark on western medicine. I was went in for a physical and aside from the nurse taking my vitals, I was never examined/​touched/​looked at by the M.D. (i.e. no exam to listen to my heart, lungs, abdomen, neck, ears.). Dr. Laube also did not ask what my health concerns were (I had a list written out) and I have history of some conditions that need monitoring. He told me that «I do not know your history» (I am in the UCLA system for 9 years), the «body is simple», that their acupuncture was «medical acupuncture» and questioned why my previous M.D. ordered certain tests for me in the past and argued with me on ordering blood work that I am usually tested for – especially during a yearly physical with my health conditions and age. So I have now used up my insurance’s quota on my yearly physical and am yet again on my own – BTW I did have acupuncture here and encourage you to seek elsewhere in Los Angeles as there are some fantastic acupuncturists that have much more expertise and are still affordable. I have been doing acupuncture for years but in this setting I was not comfortable – it is a very clinical environment and the practitioner made me tense, plus there was no button or bell to call if you needed help.
Seek better.

I have to say, I had a very uncomfortable appointment at the East-​West Medicine center in Santa Monica and I am writing this review because I think there might be other people like me who could benefit from this information before they go to this center. Let me just say, that I LOVE the idea of Western Medicine being combined with Eastern Medicine. It’s desperately needed and I hope that this center can work on its system so that it can live up to its potential.
I decided to go here so that I could get some acupuncture through my insurance. I waited about 4 months for an appointment only to discover a couple days before that the co-​pay was $ 40. When I arrived I discovered that the acupuncture would be $ 40 on top of the co-​pay. The parking on site cost me an extra $ 15. Bringing my total to a whopping $ 95. Which means I basically could have gone to any acupuncturist I wanted, outside of insurance.
On top of that, I was greeted by two medical students for my initial run through of my symptoms and complaints. As the fellow began asking me a ton of questioned I inquired when I was going to get to see my doctor. They then told me they were going to discuss the matter with three other doctors and bring them in. After about 20 minutes of waiting, all 5 practitioners came into the tiny, tiny treatment room to ask me more questions. I felt incredibly on the spot and uncomfortable. I didn’t know any of these people and felt absolutely outnumbered. It was one of the strangest doctor’s appointments I’ve ever had, and I have seen tons of acupuncturists, naturopaths, massage therapists and western MD’s.
Personally, when I am looking for a treatment like this I want to feel that I am in a safe, private space to share what my needs are. Having an audience of this size and being asked the same questions over and over was not only exhausting but also disconcerting. I didn’t realize that this is a «teaching» center and as such you are going to have to speak to a ton of different people before you are able to get your treatment. When I finally got my acupunture treatment I found the acupuncturist to be quite abrupt with me. As the acupuncturists here are also western MD’s I think there can be quite a different perspective on what a healing session should look like.
Yo San Clinic in Venice is an incredible student clinic where the students and supervisors are well versed with Chinese medicine and I felt tended to and respected. Their acupuncture treatments are also $ 25 a session (no insurance needed).
I do hope that the UCLA East West Center can make some improvements on these ends so that acupuncture can be more widely available to those who need it and who can actually get a good deal going through insurance there.

Update: UCLA have finally removed the charges from my bill… it’s been a long time (since 12÷19÷13) but I’m to have it resolved.

In a world where many people only post their negative thoughts or bad experiences, some prefer not to render positive reviews because it’s simply not important, or perhaps they concede that one more review isn’t going to make much difference.
I’m here to tell you otherwise… As a patient that has been in chronic pain for years, the UCLA East West Medicine clinic has not only helped me, but has given me hope. Hope is a good part of what keeps me going, as I have worked tirelessly over the last several years to overcome some very challenging health concerns.
I continue to be impressed with the physicians here, specifically Drs. Lawrence and Malcolm Taw who know how to deliver trigger point injections. As far as I’m concerned, and I’ve seen several pain doctors, their method of delivering trigger point injections are sort of an art form. All trigger point injections are not created equal! From the angle of inserting a needle, to palpating the skin and being able to identify active trigger points objectively is amazing! Many pain doctors ask where you want the injections and while generally that’s fine, many people and most doctors are not aware of the pain referral patterns or the chinese meridians that can help with treatment. When you complement the trigger point injections with accupuncture (thank you Dr. Ming-​Dong Li), you have synergistic medicine that is not easy to come across!
This is likely the reason that my doctor from UC Irvine (yes, I am an Orange County resident and travel here regularly) recommended the Taw brothers at this clinic. She indicated that she has had great success with the UCLA East West Clinic with regards to pain management, and that «It would be worth the drive.» I absolutely without reservation agree with this statement!
In addition to the great physicians, they have generally run on-​time, and their support staff are very friendly. The integrative approach works. Wait no further, make an appointment today and you won’t regret it! Thank you UCLA East West!

I used to be a fan of the Dr. Taws (plural, they’re brothers), but this facility has turned into a money-​grubbing rip-​off machine. Here’s how:
They charge like hospitals, «bundling» several «services» into your visit so they can bill your insurance over $ 300 for a simple acupuncture treatment.
Every visit, they take your blood pressure. Why? So they can bill a $ 60 Office Visit under the health code. Truly. I discussed it with a East/​West Clinic nurse. They must take blood pressure every visit in order for the Office Visit charges to stick. There’s no other reason and you can’t refuse having your blood pressure taken. At regular acupuncture offices, the LAc or OMD will take your various pulses as part of the Chinese medicine practice and look at your tongue but won’t charge a separate Office Visit for it — there is no «un-​bundling» (thanks to Ralph Nader for that term) like they do at UCLA.
Another charge you’ll see on your UCLA bill is $ 40 for «myofacial release.» In my case, an elderly guy came in and literally, I kid you not, rolled my shins back and forth something like 4 times, then he left. He was there perhaps 2 – 3 minutes. Later, they stated that this was a «massage.» When I called to question this, it was defended all the way up the chain so they’re standing by this faux «therapy» BS of rolling your shins a couple of times back and forth (something most of us might do inadvertently) and called it a service. Never was there any kind of real «massage» or pressure/​release.
Since this office has moved, a simple acupuncture treatment will be billed for over $ 300, it’s just the racket/​game they play with insurance companies to milk your policy.
There are 100’s of good acupuncture specialists in Los Angeles. There’s NO reason to wait 4 months to become a patient here only to get milked for your insurance, over $ 300 each visit.
I now pay only $ 15 a visit to Dr. Shin in West L.A. and he does in each visit: 30 minute acupuncture + cupping + a real 10-​minute stretching massage… a REAL one.
p. s. Yes, as Bob Lob L. says, parking is super expensive and otherwise not available on the street.
p. p. s. Yes, the UCLA Physician’s Billing Office is still a nightmare and incompetent. I just dealt with them in September. They’re unionized state employees who make top dollar but still can’t competently read or write or interpret their own billing system to handle your account.

Dr. Taw is excellent. Would highly recommend.

I’ve been going to the UCLA East West Clinic for almost two and a half years for chronic foot pain and I can summarize my experience in one simple statement: I am not aware of any other setting where you can see practitioners from multiple disciplines who are as caring and skilled at dealing with chronic pain, which as an added bonus, is covered by my health insurance.
I see a masseuse, receive acupuncture and treatments from an MD that have DRAMATICALLY reduced my foot pain. In all honesty, I could not imagine what my quality of life would have been if I had not found this place. It is difficult to get an appointment, that is a frustration, however this is actually a testament to how good they are and how in-​demand they are.
Their staff have taught me little «self-​care» techniques I can do to manage my pain at home as well as several techniques to deal with stress. My insurance have covered everything and I only pay my co-​pay. I was recently told the cash price for the acupuncture, if your insurance doesn’t cover that component, is $ 45. I think that’s actually a bargain.
Being able to see a masseuse, MD, acupuncturist and have it all work, plus have my insurance cover it has been great. It’s worth the wait to get the appointment.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Taw for over a year. He is fantastic. He has treated me for all kinds of different ailments and every time I leave the office I feel better. He has a great bedside manner, listens very carefully to your concerns, and gives you specific tips on how to start feeling better. I highly recommend the East West Center. I have seen other doctors there as well, and they were all great as well. This place is a gem!

I love it here! I have chronic neck and back pain and the treatment I receive here helps immensely. I get acupuncture and trigger point injections, a combination of Eastern and Western medicine that really works. I would highly recommend their services. And to be honest, I would pay out of pocket if I had to, it’s amazing. You only have one body and if you don’t take care of it no one else will.

I waited 4 months to get an appointment, after being referred by my Gastro. By the time I got there, my stomach issues had been resolved medically but I was having back pain, so I kept the appointment. The doctors I saw seemed inexperienced (they didn’t understand the basics of what a patient goes through after getting Gall Bladder removed, or for that matter, what a gall bladder is for.) They pushed on my back and shoulders and dug in with their fingers, and when I screamed in pain, they kept pushing (this was in diagnosing a problem — this was not the «treatment» portion of the visit.) I was continually asked very rude, probing and irrelevant questions, and not treated like a human being. These people have ZERO training or ability in how to talk to people like people (let alone people going through trying medical problems or ongoing pain.) They did trigger point injection and started putting needles in me for acupuncture, without asking for my consent, which was a big concern, considering that my insurance didn’t cover that portion of the services. These people act in a very superior manner — I don’t know if this has to do with eastern-​versus-​western medicine but there was very much «i am the doctor, I know what’s best, who are you to ask questions or give consent.» I felt physically and emotionally beat up after my visit. FIVE DAYS LATER, I am in more pain than when I arrived there, and I have severe black and blue marks on my body (one from where they manhandled me, and the other from my trigger point injection.) I am never going back to this place. It was a truly horrible experience.

The appointment staff is incompetent and not very friendly. Parking in the structure is very expensive and street parking is extremely hard to find.
The doctors are all male (at least the four I saw) and very young/​inexperienced.
The rooms are tiny and the doctors even had trouble walking around the examination table to provide treatment.
Not worth the FOUR MONTH wait to get an initial appointment.

My experience at the Center for East West Medicine has been exceptional. I was referred here by my Gastro specialist for stomach issues, since it is an alternative to meds, but have also been addressing my back issues as well. I have gone to traditional acupuncturists (in addition to masseuses and chiros), and have found the acupuncture and pressure point injection combination is 3X MORE EFFECTIVE. Yes, it’s pricey and yes the billing is a mess but relief is worth every penny! Keep in mind that these are MDs that are also acupuncturists, so you’re getting the best of the best when it comes to understanding your body.
The office staff is also great and the doctors (for me: Dr. Kim and Dr. L Taw) are amazing. Their advice, recommendations and general bedside manner have resulted in positive lifestyle changes for me. There have been times where I’ve never felt stronger, in part, thanks to this place.
Try it!

This review is for Dr. Kim specifically. She is the best acupuncturist I’ve ever had! I have been to a lot of different specialists, and Dr. Kim is an absolute miracle worker! I can’t even explain how amazing her bedside manner is. She is so personable, friendly, and she actually cares. Go to her if you are in pain! She will help you!

I was diagnosed with crohn’s disease over 20 years ago, and been on every single type of medicine imaginable. Eventually, each drug either stopped working or put me in the hospital with horrible allergic reactions.
The ONLY place that ever helped me find a holistic, well-​rounded view of my personal diagnosis was UCLA center for east/​west medicine. I was skeptical (like most westerners) of the validity of acupuncture and holistic solutions and quite frankly, it is the only time that I have felt heard, comforted and given individual support. It is also the only time that not only did my crohn’s symptoms lessen, but the pain was gone for the FIRST time!
I have been seeing Dr. M. Taw for years now and he has been such a wealth of knowledge and support. He understands and works with both western medicine and eastern philosophy to paint an individual picture for your own solution.
I find the acupuncture treatments very helpful too. I sleep better, have less stress overall, and again, the stomach cramps and pain have all but disappeared.
The only frustration for me is that my insurance company does not recognize this as a valid method of «health care», but quite frankly, I’ll pay for this treatment any day of the week before having to go back on the horrifying meds other doctors try to pawn off of me.
I would (and have) recommended this center for anyone open to new solutions to your overall health and well being.

Truthfully, I have never considered an Eastern medicine until I used their medical services. I quickly found out how this place is a mesh between Western and Eastern medicine. The MDs are amazing and the acupuncturists who are part of the team as well. It is not your regular medical clinic for sure. I got to see the MD and assess the treatment that will work for me (I refuse to take prescription drugs so I tried this avenue). And that’s when I was told about the treatments that could help me — no herbs here though. I’ve had all of the 3 treatments they offer and it’s slowly working. Although, I do understand that I have to do some lifestyle changes as well. They truly care about us, their patients, and wants us to get better. I could not ask for more.