Dr. Kaplan delves into the very controversial topic of identifying and treating chronic Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that lingers past standard courses of treatment. Dr. Kaplan discussed the difficulties in correctly diagnosing chronic Lyme as well as new research and treatments that are currently available.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892
https://kaplanclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/PTLDS_GARY.JPG.png8001200Kaplan Centerhttps://kaplanclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Kaplan-Center-Logo.svgKaplan Center2019-11-04 12:05:342019-12-06 08:19:58"Combating Chronic Lyme," a Presentation by Dr. Gary Kaplan
Physical Therapists Jeanne Scheele and Pat Alomar are now using Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) therapy in the plan of care for their patients.
What is FSM?
FSM uses low-level electrical impulses, measured in hertz or pulses, to deliver microcurrents to targeted areas of the body to initiate healing. It has been used by licensed & trained practitioners for decades to treat a variety of conditions from joint and muscle pain to IBS and GERD. FSM is a safe, effective and non-invasive alternative treating pain & injury for anyone who is looking for non-opiate/non-pharmaceutical treatments.
How does it work?
As we know, the body hosts its very own electrical system and each type of tissue is known to operate at a specific electrical frequency. However, injury and illness can disrupt those frequencies making recovery more difficult. FSM delivers similar frequencies to targeted areas of the body with the goal of increasing cellular energy production (ATP), reducing pain and inflammation, and repairing and restoring tissue function.
What is it used for?
FSM can benefit a wide variety of conditions, including:
Sports Injuries
Neuromuscular Pain & Inflammation
Low Back or Neck Pain
Joint & Muscle Pain
Fibromyalgia
Myofascial Pain and Trigger Points
Nerve Pain / Peripheral Neuropathy
Scar Tissue
Osteoarthritis
Abdominal Adhesions
Pelvic Pain
Sciatica
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
IBS / GERD
Lymphedema
Anxiety & Depression
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Headache / Migraine
TMJ
Tennis Elbow
and many other conditions not shown on this list
The results?
Jeanne and Pat have seen some amazing results so far! The following are testimonials from patients who received FSM as part of their physical therapy care.
“I have been receiving FSM on my shoulder and knee. It always gives me pain relief right away.” D.S., Patient
“I have been using FSM for my anxiety. My anxiety noticeably disappeared within the first few minutes of use and lasted throughout the day.” L.R., Patient
“You guys are not just restoring my body, you are taking me to what I can’t conceive of. I had never heard of FSM until now.” A.B., Patient
What about risks?
FSM is not recommended if you have are pregnant or if you have a known cancer.
How can I learn more?
If you would like to find out if FSM is appropriate for your medical condition and can help you recover, please call 703-532-4892 and ask to speak with Jeanne Scheele or Patricia Alomar today.
https://kaplanclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/82700127_s-e1571749714525.jpg466700Kaplan Centerhttps://kaplanclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Kaplan-Center-Logo.svgKaplan Center2019-10-22 13:09:282019-11-18 16:53:40What is Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM)?
Dr. Sheehan discusses the connection between EDS & POTS and how certain regenerative treatments, like Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, help strengthen and heal areas of the cervical spine improving symptoms and overall quality of life.
Evidence suggests that there is a unique connection between hypermobility disorders such as EDS (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome) and dysautonomia, a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. Patients with EDS often experience symptoms common to a type of dysautonomia called POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), characterized by dizziness and feeling faint, palpations, nausea, digestive problems, blood pressure fluctuations, fatigue, urinary problems, and more, resulting in a less than desirable quality of life.
We are here for you, and we want to help.
Our goal is to return you to optimal health as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment please call: 703-532-4892
https://kaplanclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/DanSheehanEDS.POTS_.JPG.png8001200Kaplan Centerhttps://kaplanclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Kaplan-Center-Logo.svgKaplan Center2019-10-17 12:22:492019-12-06 08:19:43EDS & POTS: A New Clinical Perspective
According to the Centers for Disease Control, almost 1 out of 3 people in the United States will develop shingles during their lifetime. Shingles is a painful viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the very same virus that causes chickenpox. The reason for this is that the virus never completely leaves the body, instead, it remains inactive in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain and years later it may reactivate as shingles.
What do you need to know?
Most cases of shingles occur in people who are over 50 and the risk continues to increase as you get older.
A weakened immune system may also put you at higher risk.
Shingles can cause severe pain. The most common symptom is a painful skin rash that usually appears on either side of your torso or can affect the trigeminal nerve around and over the eye. The rash and accompanying symptoms can last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks and unfortunately for some, the pain can last for months, or even years, after the rash goes away. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication of shingles, affecting approximately 10-15% of shingles cases. Integrative treatments that can help ease the pain of PHN include acupuncture, medications, stress reduction techniques, and IV therapy.
In 2017, the Food & Drug Administration approved a new, more effective vaccine called Shingrix. This new vaccine is reported to be more than 90% effective when taken as recommended according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This is a far higher effectiveness rate than the old vaccine, Zostavax. For maximum effectiveness, the vaccine is given in two shots, 2-6 months apart.
Who should get the vaccine?
Adults over 50 years old who:
have had chickenpox or can’t remember if they have had chickenpox
have already had shingles
have already been vaccinated with the Zostavax vaccine
If you meet the criteria above or have questions about the vaccine, talk to your primary care physician right away. Getting vaccinated will significantly reduce your risk of getting shingles and the complications that it may cause.
If you have questions about the Shingrix vaccine or if you are not sure if you are a good candidate, ask them if it’s right for you. You can also visit https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/index.html for more information from the CDC.
If you currently have shingles and would like to talk to a nurse about our treatment protocol, call us today at 703-532-4892.
https://kaplanclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/featured-shingles.jpg465700Lisa Lilienfield, MDhttps://kaplanclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Kaplan-Center-Logo.svgLisa Lilienfield, MD2019-08-07 10:00:002019-10-16 15:47:44Shingles Vaccine - Should You Get Yours?
It is estimated that up to 15% of married couples either have no sex or have sex less than 10 times per year. While some couples claim to still have a close, fulfilling relationship without sex, the majority of one or both partners in a couple are unhappy with the state of affairs.
There are many reasons why sex can decline in a relationship. The demands of being a parent, financial stresses, medications, illness and declining hormone levels resulting in a decrease in desire and increase in painful intercourse, are a few causes of declining sexual activity.
Now, a new treatment is available at our clinic called the O-Shot® that uses Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to revitalize tissue so sex can be more enjoyable.
What are the benefits of the O-Shot® for women?
Women who have received the O-Shot® injection report an increase in vaginal sensitivity and enhanced orgasm, as well as more frequent and more intense orgasms! Other benefits include improvements in vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and urinary control.
O-Shot® Benefits:
Increased sensitivity and sexual desire
The O-Shot® can increase your desire and sensitivity for sexual activity, helping you restore the intimacy that you and your partner have missed out on.
Enhanced orgasm
After receiving the O-Shot® women report improved ability and stronger, more frequent orgasms.
Improved lubrication and urinary control
By stimulating tissue growth, natural lubrication is improved which in turn makes intercourse less painful. Rejuvenation of your genital tissue also results in improvements in urinary control.
A safe, effective, non-surgical and drug-free procedure with no recovery time
The O-Shot® injection is a safe, effective, drug-free and non-surgical procedure. What’s even better is that there is NO recovery time and results can last a year or more!
What is Platelet Rich Plasma and what does it have to do with sex?
Platelet Rich Plasma is a substance in your own blood that contains a tremendous amount of growth factors. It has been used for years in the orthopedic world to repair cartilage, ligaments, and tendons and now it is available for many other uses, including improving vaginal and sexual health.
What can I expect from the O-Shot® procedure?
After a blood draw, the patient’s own PRP is separated from white blood cells. After receiving a local anesthetic, the PRP is then injected to the genital tissue and the natural growth factors in the PRP begin to work right away, stimulating tissue repair and rejuvenation. The O-Shot® is a safe and relatively painless procedure, even though the thought of a needle down there can seem scary!
How can the O-Shot® change my life?
If one or both partners want a change, starting with communication is key. Expressing one’s desire to be more intimate can begin to improve the relationship right away. Planning date time together without distractions is also essential, resulting in the space to talk and share feelings.
The O-Shot® procedure has helped countless women strengthen their sexual relationships while boosting confidence and self-esteem. Being proactive in your sexual and urinary health is a big step, but well worth the effort.
If the desire to change and be more intimate is there but there are physical issues, working with a doctor to test hormones and to rule out other conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease is important.
If you are interested in learning more about the O-Shot®, please contact us for more information.
Lisa Lilienfield, M.D.
Certified provider of the O-Shot®
This is the time of year that many of us choose to upgrade work-out programs or maybe even start a new one. A successful fitness regimen requires thoughtful decision making and pre-workout preparation so you can get started, get the most out of your workouts, and ultimately meet your goals. Here are some tips from a functional medicine perspective on how to do just that and some insight on factors that may unknowingly hinder your progress.
Vitality and motivation are fundamental to feeling capable of healthy exercise and maintaining endurance.
If a lack of energy and motivation is keeping you from starting a new fitness program or taking an existing one to the next level, it may be a sign of a hormonal imbalance or another health issue coming to the surface.
Heart health, respiratory health, being free of allergies (especially, if working out outside), adrenal health, hormonal health, and thyroid health all affect your motivation levels and vitality. If any of these areas of health are out of balance, working out can prove challenging or even leave you feeling more depleted and unwilling to work out again. Here are some examples:
A low testosterone level for men or women may lead to low motivation, poor focus, lack of endurance, and poor workout recovery.
Adrenal Dysfunction leads to unbalanced stress hormones that may make you feel too tired to work out and leave you exhausted afterward.
Poor heart health could be exacerbated with a new work out if not diagnosed and dealt with by your physician.
Underlying lung disease may make your workouts difficult to get through. This is affected by inflammation, often in the gut.
Low thyroid function may make you too fatigued to make it to the gym.
Functional medicine physicians evaluate core systems in the body and apply targeted interventions to correct and optimize areas that are indicating a dysfunction. Once those areas are addressed, your body will be restored with the vitality and motivation needed to focus on your fitness goals.
Are you too inflamed to work out?
Sometimes people are riddled with inflammation in the joints, ligaments, sinuses, and other areas of the body, and feel physically incapable of working out. Inflammation can be diagnosed and decreased or eliminated to better support you with an appropriate and healthy exercise regimen.
Are you eating a diet that energizes and supports you, or further depletes and inflames you?
Food should nourish and energize you. Many of us are unaware that we are eating foods that are inflaming us rather than supporting us. This leaves us feeling heavier and more fatigued and often less motivated to work out.
You may want to evaluate if you have food sensitivities or allergies that are creating more inflammation than providing nourishment. Sometimes we find that even the healthy foods people are eating are inflaming their bodies including joints, digestive tract, sinuses and more.
You may also want to determine if you have any key nutrient deficiencies that may be less than supportive of your exercise efforts, energy and vitality.
The key to leveraging the benefits of exercise is to know which workout best suits you based on your individual health picture.
There are many workouts out there so picking the right one for your unique health profile is crucial to staying motivated enough to continue and see results. For instance, if you have adrenal fatigue, HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) will likely leave you feeling worse than you do and may not help you hit your exercise goals. Running long distances may not help you lean-out based on your particular wellness picture. A functional medicine assessment will reveal some of these issues so you can make the correct choice from the get-go.
The bottom line is: you want to make sure your workout regimen is actually helping you to feel more vital and well, and not leaving you feeling depleted.
If you are ready to upgrade or start an exercise regimen, a comprehensive Functional Medicine evaluation is a great place to start. You’ll be assessed for areas that can be optimized to best support your workout efforts, to determine the level of activity that may be most supportive of you and your goals, and to improve your overall health.
https://kaplanclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/people-2592247_1280-e1562606508120-1.jpg265400Nayo Wills, MDhttps://kaplanclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Kaplan-Center-Logo.svgNayo Wills, MD2019-07-08 13:25:182019-10-23 18:49:11Want to Take Your Workout to the Next Level? These Tips May Help
The Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine offers Full Biomechanical Analysis of your legs and Custom Orthotics.
Types of foot structures that benefit from orthotics are the rigid high arch foot, the over-pronated foot, and the sensitive diabetic foot.
When we have proper foot and ankle alignment, our healthy feet easily absorb shock and transfer our body weight from the heel at heel strike to push off. But not all feet are able to accomplish this smooth motion and mechanical stress.
Conditions that can benefit from custom orthotics include: Heel pain, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, bunions, hammertoes, Morton’s toe, ankle pain, knee and hip pain, low-back dysfunction, repetitive injuries, and arthritis.
Benefits of having custom orthotics include:
* Reduced foot and ankle pain
* Less knee, hip and back pain
* Improved walking pattern and endurance
* Ability to stand longer
* Better balance
* Obtain proper alignment of your foot and ankle
* Unload pressure from a bunion
* Support for your arch
* Shock absorption for the entire bottom of your foot
Do you grind or clench your teeth at night? Are you currently using a mouth guard, or have you been told that you may eventually need one? Do you experience ringing in the ears, either constant or intermittent?
If you grind or clench your teeth you may also experience pain with chewing or hear a popping noise when your mouth opens or closes. Often, headaches, neck and shoulder pain can occur.
More and more dentists are realizing CranioSacral therapy can be a missing piece to a successful dental procedure.
CranioSacral treatment can be effective for treating hypertonicity (continual increase in the muscle tension) in the soft tissue which directly impacts the position of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) or malocclusion (misalignment of teeth when jaws are closed).
CranioSacral therapy helps reduce the sympathetic response in the body and helps it return to a place of balance.
CranioSacral therapy follows the osteopathic premise that if structure is normalized, function will follow. The gentle manipulation and adjusting of the cranial bones help balance the body’s system.
Dr. John Upledger DO, O.M.M stated: “The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome may be primary or it may be just the tip of the iceberg. The syndrome is part of the whole person and it is the whole person that must be evaluated and treated.” Stress factors of TMJ can be physical, physiological, psychoemotional or environmental. Teeth or jaw clenching is a natural response to increased stress, chronically compressing the temporomandibular joints.
CranioSacral therapy is a very effective, light-touch therapy that supports the body’s own healing resources to release physical imbalances and restrictions, as well as residual emotional trauma, that has been stored in the body’s membranes and connective tissue. This frees the central nervous system to perform optimally — allowing patients to experience pain relief, stronger immune function and an enhanced sense of well-being.
In recent years, there has been increasing interest in glutathione (GSH) and the role it plays in the progression and treatment of a wide variety of illnesses and conditions.
Glutathione is the most abundant and arguably the most important antioxidant in the body. Several biological processes rely on it to perform optimally, but levels diminish as we age, opening the door to premature cell death, aging, and age-associated diseases and conditions.
Glutathione is critical for the detoxification process. Low glutathione compromises liver function, which works to flush the body of damaging free radicals. Free radicals, like reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), are naturally occurring, toxic compounds that are formed when the body converts food to energy. They roam freely, targeting and altering different types of molecules in the body through an exchange of electrons. In ideal circumstances, free radicals are kept in check by antioxidants that prevent them from causing damage.
However, when the scales tip in their favor free radicals can cause significant damage to our cells and our DNA. The result is oxidative stress (OS) which is linked to numerous disease processes including cognitive decline (Alzheimer’s disease) and other age-related conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Closely tied to this is glutathione’s role in mitochondrial survival. Mitochondria are responsible for creating cellular energy and they are directly linked to the pathways of cellular death. Without adequate levels of glutathione cellular health and longevity are compromised.
Over time, toxins, poor diet, medications, infections, and stress all contribute to depleting levels of glutathione. Without enough of it in our cells we become “unbalanced” in terms of inflammation and anti-inflammation. When the body’s normal cycle of destruction and repair tips more towards destruction and moves away from repair we see disruptions in the proper functioning of the immune system, we see an increase in inflammation, and we see an increase in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, depression, ME/CFS, and fibromyalgia.
Optimizing Glutathione Levels
Vitamin and mineral IVs are a wonderful way to deliver and replenish vital nutrients to the body. By bypassing the digestive system, you get maximum absorption into the bloodstream and maximum bioavailability. Glutathione has shown it can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and can, therefore, be an important tool in preventing and treating neurodegenerative conditions.
Some of the benefits of glutathione IV supplementation include:
Encourages cellular health
Lowers inflammation
Boosts immune system function
Helps maintain the body’s detoxification process
Improves cognitive function (clarity, focus, executive function)
Improves muscle repair and muscle development
Improves muscle endurance and energy
Bottom line: Increasing glutathione is one more way to slow down the aging process, encourage recovery, prevent disease, and maintain optimal health.
References:
Ballatori N, Krance SM, Notenboom S, Shi S, Tieu K, Hammond CL. Glutathione dysregulation and the etiology and progression of human diseases. Biol Chem. 2009;390(3):191–214. doi:10.1515/BC.2009.033
Aoyama K1, Nakaki T. Impaired glutathione synthesis in neurodegeneration. Int J Mol Sci. 2013 Oct 18;14(10):21021-44. doi: 10.3390/ijms141021021.
Hirrlinger J1, Gutterer JM, Kussmaul L, Hamprecht B, Dringen R. Microglial cells in culture express a prominent glutathione system for the defense against reactive oxygen species. Dev Neurosci. 2000 Sep-Dec;22(5-6):384-92.
Kannan R, Kuhlenkamp JF, Jeandidier E, Trinh H, Ookhtens M, Kaplowitz N. Evidence for carrier-mediated transport of glutathione across the blood-brain barrier in the rat. J Clin Invest. 1990;85(6):2009–2013. doi:10.1172/JCI114666
Functional Medicine (FM) is a holistic, integrative approach to health and well-being that evaluates how each biological system is working and supporting the health of the whole, interconnected body.
Physicians who use this approach look for signs of imbalance and areas of health that can be optimized. If deficiencies are found, FM doctors investigate the root cause of the deficiency by looking at the patient’s environment, thoughts, diet, lifestyle, possible infections, medications, levels of activity, social support (family, friends), and level of stress, as all of these factors could be supporting or exacerbating the disease.
Functional Medicine differs from Conventional Medicine in that while Conventional Medicine is excellent at treating acute and urgent conditions, it tends to treat symptoms and not the underlying cause of those symptoms.
Functional Medicine physicians assess six major areas of health.
In looking for clues that may be contributing to symptoms of illness or disease we systematically assess and optimize the following six major areas of health:
Immune system: We look for signs of inflammation and auto-immune diseases (including Hashimoto’s thyroid disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, pain, allergies/sensitivities, etc.).
Energy systems: We assess for factors that may be depleting your body’s energy, including your mitochondrial (energy part of cells) health, nutrient deficiencies and excesses.
Heart and metabolic systems: We evaluate for signs of heart and vascular disease and abnormal blood sugar values.
Hormone systems: For women, we assess for signs of PMS, fibroids, perimenopause and menopause, estrogen dominance, and other conditions of hormone imbalance; and for men, we assess for signs of loss of motivation, focus, low libido, andropause (low testosterone), erectile dysfunction, poor work-out recovery, poor exercise endurance, fatigue, and other conditions of hormone imbalance.
Detoxification system: We assess for signs of toxin overload or the inability to release toxins from your liver and body. This system is key for optimal health of the body as well as maintaining a youthful appearance and vitality.
Gastrointestinal/digestive systems: We look for signs of inflammation in the gut, food sensitivities, and infections. This system is also vital to all other systems operating effectively and preventing autoimmune diseases, weight gain, and inflammation throughout your body (joints, sinuses, lungs, thyroid, etc.).
A Functional Medicine Assessment entails:
listening to what your concerns are and asking questions that help and reveal any issues.
performing an exam to assess for any physical signs of deficiencies or signs of excess that may be supporting disease in your body.
ordering tests that will look at how effectively your body is performing certain functions. Some tests include:
saliva tests to evaluate your body’s ability to respond to stress and maintain healthy sleep and energy levels;
hormone tests that show if your body is releasing optimal amounts of hormones to support your energy, mood, sexual health, brain clarity, bones, focus, energy;
thyroid tests that can demonstrate if you are producing the proper levels of thyroid hormones to support mood, energy, weight, skin/hair/nails, brain clarity, and more;
stool analysis that reveals if your gut and immune system are sufficient to support your digestive and immune system needs;
food sensitivity and allergy testing that may uncover an unhealthy gut and foods that are contributing to brain fog, bloating, constipation/diarrhea, IBS, weight gain, and more;
lipid profile that assesses if you have the type of cholesterol molecules that lead to cardiovascular disease;
inflammation profiles that evaluate the level of inflammation that your body is dealing with;
and many more tests are available if needed.
To schedule an appointment with one of our Functional Medicine specialists, call 703-532-4892, ext. 2.
Why would you do a Functional Medicine assessment if you’re healthy?
Because of its whole health approach, an FM assessment and its recommendations can help prevent illness while optimizing your current state of health, so you can:
enjoy vitality, longevity and a youthful appearance at every age;
maximize your energy and mobility to live the life you choose;
prevent unnecessary weight gain;
maintain healthy heart function;
allow smooth transitions into each phase of life, i.e., young adult years, reproductive years, retirement years, menopause/andropause, etc.;
maintain hormone and thyroid health;
support your immune system to prevent illnesses;
optimize your gut health to support your immune system, weight, and tolerance to different foods and prevent disease;
support a healthy mood and mental health;
encourage healthy sleep and rejuvenation;
prevent metabolic disorders like diabetes and insulin resistance;
and so much more!
We’ve gathered all of this information, now what?
Functional Medicine’s approach is patient-centered and patient-directed; once we’ve gathered all of your information, we listen to you. Together we’ll discuss and prioritize your unique wellness goals. Once those are established we can start working towards the areas that will best help your major wellness goal first, then systematically addressing all other issues, as supporting longevity and wellness relies on improving all facets of your health.
This approach typically utilizes several modes of treatment, including stress reduction & management, mind-body tools, improving nutrition, healing your gut, supporting detoxification, exercise, acupuncture, herbs/botanicals, supplements, manual medicine, and when needed, medication.
https://kaplanclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/featured-functional-medicine.jpg465700Nayo Wills, MDhttps://kaplanclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Kaplan-Center-Logo.svgNayo Wills, MD2019-05-14 14:10:262019-11-18 16:58:01What Is A Functional Medicine Assessment?
In looking for clues that may be contributing to symptoms of illness or disease we systematically assess and optimize the following six major areas of health: