..where kids with complex problems are not seen as complex.

The UCLA Pediatric Pain Clinic offers state-of-the-art medicine in combination with the regenerative power of complementary therapies to treat children suffering from chronic pain. Many of the children whom we see have complex problems that have not been helped adequately by the biomedical model of care. Our staff works as a team to develop an individualized approach for each child that involves the active participation of the child and family in finding solutions to the problem. The mind-body therapeutic process is designed to empower the child and family, thus fostering well-being, self-esteem, and improved quality of life.

..where treatment is approached with humor, empathy, and understanding.

The first visit at the clinic is a two-hour appointment for the entire family, with a pediatric pain specialist, where the patient’s narrative about his or her experience takes center stage. We welcome humor and employ empathy in understanding the pain story told by the patient and family. The essential messages of the first visit are (1) that the pain is real and makes biological sense, (2) the suffering is understandable and makes psychological sense, and (3) that suffering can and will improve first. Pain is not a mystery.

..where control is given back to the child and family.

Most families are referred to us after having made the rounds with many physicians. They are typically hopeful, but understandably cautious, and are frequently relieved that we are not only willing to work with them but also that we are not baffled by pain. Contrary to most traditional medical visits, we include the family as an integral part of the treatment process and give them choices about the treatment path. This is often a new experience for many families. We spend much time on pain education, describing how pain works and how various treatments might help; rather than “prescribing” for them, we work together to develop a plan that the patient and family believe will work best. Treatment might include any number of the following: acupuncture, art therapy, biofeedback, energy-based therapy, hypnotherapy, massage therapy, craniosacral therapy, physical therapy, Iyengar yoga, individual psychotherapy, family therapy, school intervention, and/or medications.

“Too few hospitals offer comprehensive pain programs for children. That’s no surprise: pediatric pain units are expensive to run. Insurance tends to reimburse for surgeries and medication, not acupuncture, hypnotherapy, yoga, massage and art therapy. But specialized treatment can have dramatic effects. At UCLA, pediatric art therapist and psychoanalyst Esther Dreifuss-Kattan gives kids acrylic paint and canvas paper. She doesn’t direct them to make pictures about their problems, but ‘often the pain comes up in what they do’…Iyengar yoga instructor Beth Sternlieb helps kids with conditions like fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis learn poses that soothe the nerves and build range of motion.”

“…Hypnotherapist Kathryn de Planque uses ‘guided imagery’ to clear kids’ minds. To begin the process, she trains kids to think about green as a healing color and blue as a calming one. Then she gets them to imagine the colors becoming shiny helium balloons that ‘lift’ them up. ‘They are learning how to use their imaginative self to change pain signaling. As they get involved in their imagination, their breathing slows down, their muscles relax, their heart rate changes,’ says Dr. Lonnie Zeltzer, director of UCLA’s Pediatric Pain Program.” Newsweek, Special Report on Treating Pain, May 19, 2003.

..where collective wisdom, advocacy, and accessibility are integral to care.

The Pediatric Pain Clinic practitioners meet weekly to share insights that they have gained in working with each patient. The collective wisdom and coordinated care greatly enhances the effectiveness of treatment. In addition, we help parents to be good advocate for their child because we know that the entire family is affected by their child’s pain. For instance, we might help parents negotiate with their child’s school to obtain an individual educational plan during the therapeutic process. Most kids are seen on an outpatient basis by one or more of our clinicians. We answer many e-mail messages each year from our patients and their families so that we can maintain contact between appointments. We value these relationships and consider it important to remain accessible.

“Our clinical team donates time to our weekly meetings because we share a common passion for working with kids in chronic pain who have not been well served by the traditional medical model. It is rewarding to see these young people develop the skills and insight that transform their suffering into an opportunity for growth. We feel privileged to hold a spot on a medical team that is creating something greater than what each of us can do individually. We see our medical model as a valuable contribution to the future direction of medical care.” Beth Sternlieb, Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher

“I benefit from the synergy of the clinicians involved in the Pediatric Pain Program - the open exchange of ideas and information is a catalyst for me to grow and expand in my treatment of health-challenged individuals.” Christopher Slate, L.M.T., C.S.T., Craniosacral Therapist

“Working with practitioners from all disciplines provides me with a unique opportunity to look at a patient’s needs from many different angles, enabling solutions to be found through the symbiosis of clinical skills. These kinds of patients frequently have needs that go beyond the scope of one modality.” Michael Waterhouse, M.A., L.Ac., Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbal Specialist

“Through the generosity of our staff, we have been able to accommodate children who cannot afford our care; however, we are striving to expand our capacity to meet their needs because of our commitment to the under-served.” Lonnie Zeltzer, M.D., Director, UCLA Pediatric Pain Program

..where pain becomes background, hope becomes reality.

Tonya came to us from Bermuda. She had not been able to walk for two years and had made no progress after spending six months in two different traditional rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. Through our detailed evaluation, we found that she had been traumatized by previous therapeutic experiences. We constructed an alternative plan for physical rehabilitation, allowing her to set the pace and inform us as to when she could tolerate the effort. We also worked with her to create incentives for continuing her hard work, like spending a day on the set of the “Scrubs” television sitcom. We worked with her for six months in combined physical therapy, aqua therapy, individual psychotherapy, family therapy, acupuncture, and hypnotherapy. When she left the program, she was able to walk down the aisle at her sister’s wedding, assisted by two canes. She and her family still communicate with us by e-mail.
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