[img]2708|right|Raul Ramirez||no_popup[/img]One of the most interesting people in Culver City whom no one knows about is Raul Ramirez.
At 34, Dr. Ramirez’s resume sparkles with major accomplishments. A primary care physician, he specializes in acupuncture and herbs. His background in Eastern medicine is extraordinary, his marital arts background is extensive and he is one of the best catch wrestlers in the world.
“I grew up in the Palm Springs area, and while I was a student at UCLA, I discovered Eastern medicine,” Dr. Ramirez said at his Culver City office. “I was able to travel to China to practice kick boxing and wrestling. I injured my knee in China. They used acupuncture to cure me. That is when I became interested in Eastern medicine.”
[img]2707|right|||no_popup[/img]Dr. Ramirez graduated UCLA in 2002 with a B.A. in theatre. He also has a masters’ in Eastern medicine from Samara University of Oriental Medicine in Los Angeles and a Ph.D. in Eastern medicine from American University in Fullerton.
Mr. Ramirez is a certified catch wrestling trainer and has certifications in Black Sash in Kung Fu. He has worked for the UCLA Dept. of Recreation and Cultural Affairs, teaching martial arts and serving as a personal trainer. He also has treated patients at Samara. Presently he is the owner/practitioner at Nei Jing Eastern Medicine Clinic and the Catch Wrestling Alliance trainer and martial arts instructor at 5839 Green Valley Circle, Culver City.
“I always wanted to be independent,” said Dr. Ramirez. “I had a lot of jobs growing up. But I realized I wanted to be my own boss.”
Important to be in Charge
Being boss means teaching martial arts and catch wrestling three times a week in the morning and practicing medicine the other working hours.
Catch wrestling, for the uninitiated, is the foundation of modern folk style, freestyle, pro wrestling and mixed martial arts. Catch wrestling is a classical, hybrid grappling type of wrestling developed in 1870.
Later popularized by carnival wrestlers, it refined new submission holds and hooks to be more effective against opponents. The only two ways to win a catch wrestling match are by pin or by submission.
In June, Dr. Ramirez and the Catch Wrestling Alliance produced an international catch wrestling tournament at UCLA, the first in the United States in more than a century.
“I was doing martial arts for a long time and I was looking for an alternative,” Dr. Ramirez said. “That is when I found out about catch wrestling.
“Once I learned, I realized this was something that needed to be preserved and to be taught.”
Decades ago, he said, catch wrestling enjoyed popularity in this country.
Dr. Ramirez said Culver City is a perfect location to combine his medical skills with martial arts and catch wrestling training.
After studying Eastern medicine all across Asia, he and his wife Miriam chose Culver City as their home.
“I like living here,” Dr. Ramirez said, “because Culver City has everything, and it is not too congested.
“I feel really comfortable here, and now that I have a 14-month-old son, I heard Culver City has a great school system. This seems like the best place for me and my family.”
Dr. Ramirez may be contacted at 310. 930.6046. His website is raul@neijingeasternmedicine.com
