Dr. Kaplan was a guest on the Off-White Coat Podcast, hosted by Jordan Abney.
Episode Description:
Are you tired of enduring chronic pain, battling with unyielding fatigue, or wrestling with relentless depression? I know I was, but there is hope, my friends. I invite you to join me and our guest, the renowned Dr. Gary Kaplan, as we navigate the perplexing world of chronic illnesses. Dr. Kaplan brings his groundbreaking insights on chronic conditions and a unique neuroinflammatory approach to treatment that might just change the way we understand and manage these persistent foes.
We discuss the pitfalls of our medical system, including the unscrupulous dealings of pharmaceutical and insurance companies, and the lack of resources available to emergency doctors. These realities are frustrating, but we face them head-on, sharing personal experiences like Dr. Kaplan’s journey with his father’s medical challenges. The riveting conversation also unveils the psychological and environmental factors that play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating chronic illnesses.
We wrap up by delving into the latest advancements in immune dysfunction research and the role of cross-disciplinary collaboration in propelling this field forward. We explore promising treatments for Long-COVID, the importance of early testing, and the potential implications of different COVID variants. Brace yourselves as we reveal the secrets of supercharging your immune system and effective anti-aging methods. So, buckle up and join us on this enlightening journey that dares to challenge traditional perspectives on chronic illness, shining a light on the power of integrative medicine.
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 x2
Pain can come in many forms; it can be the result of an injury, surgery, or an illness; it can be intense pain or a subtle ache; it may be acute or longstanding, localized or widespread. However it manifests, the bottom line for anyone in pain is: the sooner the recovery, the better the quality of life.
Pain is often an indicator of an imbalance somewhere in the musculoskeletal system. Our body’s magnificent framework is made up of bones, muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments that work together to provide stability, put us in motion, and support the proper functioning of all our vital organs and their systems. When there is an imbalance the body overcompensates, eventually causing fatigue, inflammation, and dysfunction in the area.
Physical therapy offers undeniable value when treating musculoskeletal pain. With extensive training in manual skills and a comprehensive understanding of body mechanics, physical therapists can treat a wide range of musculoskeletal pain problems. For example, there are physical therapists who help patients recover from sports injuries or strokes, others who work primarily with patients suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction, and those who specialize in Craniosacral Therapy, which may provide symptomatic relief from chronic neck and back pain, migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJS), and traumatic brain injuries, among many other conditions. While some physical therapists specialize in working with children and infants, others work primarily with adult or geriatric patients.
“Physical therapy is a dynamic profession with an established theoretical and scientific base and widespread clinical applications in the restoration, maintenance, and promotion of optimal physical function.” – American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
Fundamental benefits of PT
Encourages physical activity
PT requires movement! The inclination may be to take time off from exercise when in pain. However, physical therapists are able to “prescribe” exercise programs appropriate for a patient’s specific medical condition. With the right program and under the right guidance, the body continues to move, which promotes heart health, bone health, mental health, and more. In other words, staying active is critical for healing and for lowering the risk of other illnesses in the future.
Promotes natural healing
PT, like other alternative therapies, promotes the body’s natural healing process and does not come with the cost and risky side effects of powerful pain medications and invasive measures like surgery and injections. Because of the massive opioid crisis, in 2016 and again in 2022, the Centers for Disease Control changed its clinician guidelines to recommend physical therapy and other nonpharmacological therapies as a first line of treatment for chronic, non-cancerous pain conditions. While there is an appropriate time to consider opioids for acute pain management, physical therapy should be the first line of treatment for musculoskeletal pain, and, depending on your condition, may very well be the only treatment you need.
Restores function
PT teaches individuals about body mechanics for sitting, standing, and lifting. Patients are educated about their body’s limitations and given an individualized program that will gradually improve their range of motion, muscle strength, and stability for a faster and more complete recovery so they can reengage in life.
Teamwork makes the dream work!
Teamwork is defined as “the combined actions of a group of people working together effectively to achieve a goal.” Working with a physical therapist will provide instruction, encouragement, and consistency in your healing process.
In sum
Fundamental health relies on a healthy musculoskeletal system so that other critical systems, like the neurological, circulatory, and hormonal systems, can function properly too. Physical therapists are expertly trained to locate and rehabilitate deficiencies in the musculoskeletal system for a more complete recovery.
If you have a pain problem, your physician should take a thorough medical history, including asking questions about the special characteristics of your pain, including its duration and the particular sensations you are experiencing. This will not only help to accurately identify the cause or causes of your pain problem but will also eliminate other possibilities. If physical therapy is in order, your doctor can help you find a physical therapist with the right set of skills to meet your medical needs.
To schedule an appointment with a Kaplan Center physician to see if physical therapy is appropriate for you, please call 703-532-4892. Physical Therapy orders from non-Kaplan physicians can be used for treatment here.
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 x2
This article was originally published in October 2018. It was reviewed and updated in October 2023.
Diabetes is a chronic medical condition characterized by high blood sugar levels as a result of your body’s inability to properly regulate insulin, the hormone responsible for controlling glucose levels. Diabetes is best managed with a proper diet, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, the use of medication such as insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents.
If you have Type 1 diabetes, your body does not produce insulin on its own. If you have Type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells become resistant to insulin’s effects. In both cases, this dysregulation of insulin levels can lead to periods of high and sometimes low blood sugar levels. This can negatively impact the body so maintaining stable blood sugar levels is essential for your overall health and well-being.
Kaplan Center’s approach to managing diabetes addresses all of the root causes that are driving your condition. In contrast to conventional medicine, our functional medicine approach emphasizes prevention through lifestyle and dietary modifications and promotes overall health and wellness. Please give us a call today, we can help.
Here are seven benefits of having a stable blood sugar
1 – Enhanced energy levels
When your blood sugar level is stable, your body can efficiently convert glucose into energy. This means you will be provided with a steady and constant energy supply throughout the day and reduce the amount of fatigue or sluggishness that you experience.
2 – Better weight management
It is important that you maintain a stable and healthy body weight with diabetes and having a stable blood sugar level can help. When your blood sugar remains steady, you’re less likely to experience intense hunger or cravings that can lead to overeating or making unhealthy food choices.
3 – Increased focus and concentration
Blood sugar imbalances can affect cognitive function, leading to difficulties in concentration and focus. In fact, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and cognitive impairment are now being dubbed by researchers as Type 3 Diabetes due to the strong link between insulin resistance and cognitive decline/impairment. Interestingly, this could also help explain why dementia patients always crave sweet things.
Because the brain is the most energy-demanding organ and uses one-half of all sugar (energy) in the body, stable blood sugar will not only help promote better brain function and improve mental clarity but will also help lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
4 – A reduction in the number of diabetes-related complications
Consistently high blood sugar levels are associated with long-term damage to various organs including the eyes, kidneys, heart, and nerves. By maintaining a stable blood sugar, your risk of these complications is reduced. This is important because the complications can be serious; complications include macular degeneration of the eyes, reduced kidney function, or issues affecting your nerves.
5 – Improved mood and mental well-being
Fluctuating blood sugar levels can lead to mood swings, irritability, and even anxiety. One study found that greater glycemic variability may be associated with a lower quality of life and negative moods. So, by maintaining stable blood sugar, you promote better emotional balance and overall mental well-being.
6 – Improved cardiovascular health
High blood sugar levels can damage your blood vessels and increase your risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. A stable blood sugar can help you maintain a healthier cardiovascular system which reduces your risk of many life-threatening cardiovascular issues and heart disease.
7 – Enhanced overall health
Stable blood sugar levels can positively impact various aspects of your health such as supporting your immune function. This boosts your body’s ability to fight off infections and illnesses more effectively. Additionally, stable blood sugar is known to contribute to better sleep quality, hormonal balance, and overall longevity.
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 x2
LISTEN NOW: Beyond the Pain with Dr. Gary Kaplan: A Journey into Integrative Medicine
/in Long Covid, Wellness/by Kaplan CenterDr. Kaplan was a guest on the Off-White Coat Podcast, hosted by Jordan Abney.
Episode Description:
Are you tired of enduring chronic pain, battling with unyielding fatigue, or wrestling with relentless depression? I know I was, but there is hope, my friends. I invite you to join me and our guest, the renowned Dr. Gary Kaplan, as we navigate the perplexing world of chronic illnesses. Dr. Kaplan brings his groundbreaking insights on chronic conditions and a unique neuroinflammatory approach to treatment that might just change the way we understand and manage these persistent foes.
We discuss the pitfalls of our medical system, including the unscrupulous dealings of pharmaceutical and insurance companies, and the lack of resources available to emergency doctors. These realities are frustrating, but we face them head-on, sharing personal experiences like Dr. Kaplan’s journey with his father’s medical challenges. The riveting conversation also unveils the psychological and environmental factors that play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating chronic illnesses.
We wrap up by delving into the latest advancements in immune dysfunction research and the role of cross-disciplinary collaboration in propelling this field forward. We explore promising treatments for Long-COVID, the importance of early testing, and the potential implications of different COVID variants. Brace yourselves as we reveal the secrets of supercharging your immune system and effective anti-aging methods. So, buckle up and join us on this enlightening journey that dares to challenge traditional perspectives on chronic illness, shining a light on the power of integrative medicine.
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 x2
Physical Therapy: The Right Touch For Your Musculoskeletal Pain
/in Treatments/by Gary Kaplan, DOPain can come in many forms; it can be the result of an injury, surgery, or an illness; it can be intense pain or a subtle ache; it may be acute or longstanding, localized or widespread. However it manifests, the bottom line for anyone in pain is: the sooner the recovery, the better the quality of life.
Pain is often an indicator of an imbalance somewhere in the musculoskeletal system. Our body’s magnificent framework is made up of bones, muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments that work together to provide stability, put us in motion, and support the proper functioning of all our vital organs and their systems. When there is an imbalance the body overcompensates, eventually causing fatigue, inflammation, and dysfunction in the area.
Physical therapy offers undeniable value when treating musculoskeletal pain. With extensive training in manual skills and a comprehensive understanding of body mechanics, physical therapists can treat a wide range of musculoskeletal pain problems. For example, there are physical therapists who help patients recover from sports injuries or strokes, others who work primarily with patients suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction, and those who specialize in Craniosacral Therapy, which may provide symptomatic relief from chronic neck and back pain, migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJS), and traumatic brain injuries, among many other conditions. While some physical therapists specialize in working with children and infants, others work primarily with adult or geriatric patients.
Fundamental benefits of PT
Encourages physical activity
PT requires movement! The inclination may be to take time off from exercise when in pain. However, physical therapists are able to “prescribe” exercise programs appropriate for a patient’s specific medical condition. With the right program and under the right guidance, the body continues to move, which promotes heart health, bone health, mental health, and more. In other words, staying active is critical for healing and for lowering the risk of other illnesses in the future.
Promotes natural healing
PT, like other alternative therapies, promotes the body’s natural healing process and does not come with the cost and risky side effects of powerful pain medications and invasive measures like surgery and injections. Because of the massive opioid crisis, in 2016 and again in 2022, the Centers for Disease Control changed its clinician guidelines to recommend physical therapy and other nonpharmacological therapies as a first line of treatment for chronic, non-cancerous pain conditions. While there is an appropriate time to consider opioids for acute pain management, physical therapy should be the first line of treatment for musculoskeletal pain, and, depending on your condition, may very well be the only treatment you need.
Restores function
PT teaches individuals about body mechanics for sitting, standing, and lifting. Patients are educated about their body’s limitations and given an individualized program that will gradually improve their range of motion, muscle strength, and stability for a faster and more complete recovery so they can reengage in life.
Teamwork makes the dream work!
Teamwork is defined as “the combined actions of a group of people working together effectively to achieve a goal.” Working with a physical therapist will provide instruction, encouragement, and consistency in your healing process.
In sum
Fundamental health relies on a healthy musculoskeletal system so that other critical systems, like the neurological, circulatory, and hormonal systems, can function properly too. Physical therapists are expertly trained to locate and rehabilitate deficiencies in the musculoskeletal system for a more complete recovery.
If you have a pain problem, your physician should take a thorough medical history, including asking questions about the special characteristics of your pain, including its duration and the particular sensations you are experiencing. This will not only help to accurately identify the cause or causes of your pain problem but will also eliminate other possibilities. If physical therapy is in order, your doctor can help you find a physical therapist with the right set of skills to meet your medical needs.
To schedule an appointment with a Kaplan Center physician to see if physical therapy is appropriate for you, please call 703-532-4892. Physical Therapy orders from non-Kaplan physicians can be used for treatment here.
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 x2
This article was originally published in October 2018. It was reviewed and updated in October 2023.
7 Benefits of Stable Blood Sugar
/in Nutrition, Wellness/by Kaplan CenterDiabetes is a chronic medical condition characterized by high blood sugar levels as a result of your body’s inability to properly regulate insulin, the hormone responsible for controlling glucose levels. Diabetes is best managed with a proper diet, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, the use of medication such as insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents.
If you have Type 1 diabetes, your body does not produce insulin on its own. If you have Type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells become resistant to insulin’s effects. In both cases, this dysregulation of insulin levels can lead to periods of high and sometimes low blood sugar levels. This can negatively impact the body so maintaining stable blood sugar levels is essential for your overall health and well-being.
Kaplan Center’s approach to managing diabetes addresses all of the root causes that are driving your condition. In contrast to conventional medicine, our functional medicine approach emphasizes prevention through lifestyle and dietary modifications and promotes overall health and wellness. Please give us a call today, we can help.
Here are seven benefits of having a stable blood sugar
1 – Enhanced energy levels
When your blood sugar level is stable, your body can efficiently convert glucose into energy. This means you will be provided with a steady and constant energy supply throughout the day and reduce the amount of fatigue or sluggishness that you experience.
2 – Better weight management
It is important that you maintain a stable and healthy body weight with diabetes and having a stable blood sugar level can help. When your blood sugar remains steady, you’re less likely to experience intense hunger or cravings that can lead to overeating or making unhealthy food choices.
3 – Increased focus and concentration
Blood sugar imbalances can affect cognitive function, leading to difficulties in concentration and focus. In fact, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and cognitive impairment are now being dubbed by researchers as Type 3 Diabetes due to the strong link between insulin resistance and cognitive decline/impairment. Interestingly, this could also help explain why dementia patients always crave sweet things.
Because the brain is the most energy-demanding organ and uses one-half of all sugar (energy) in the body, stable blood sugar will not only help promote better brain function and improve mental clarity but will also help lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
For more information on insulin resistance, its relationship with cognitive function, and strategies on how to stabilize your blood sugar, you can read the following articles by Dr. Lisa Lilienfield, “Pre-diabetes: Are You at Risk?” and “Addressing the Fear of Cognitive Decline & How to Be Proactive.”
4 – A reduction in the number of diabetes-related complications
Consistently high blood sugar levels are associated with long-term damage to various organs including the eyes, kidneys, heart, and nerves. By maintaining a stable blood sugar, your risk of these complications is reduced. This is important because the complications can be serious; complications include macular degeneration of the eyes, reduced kidney function, or issues affecting your nerves.
5 – Improved mood and mental well-being
Fluctuating blood sugar levels can lead to mood swings, irritability, and even anxiety. One study found that greater glycemic variability may be associated with a lower quality of life and negative moods. So, by maintaining stable blood sugar, you promote better emotional balance and overall mental well-being.
6 – Improved cardiovascular health
High blood sugar levels can damage your blood vessels and increase your risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. A stable blood sugar can help you maintain a healthier cardiovascular system which reduces your risk of many life-threatening cardiovascular issues and heart disease.
7 – Enhanced overall health
Stable blood sugar levels can positively impact various aspects of your health such as supporting your immune function. This boosts your body’s ability to fight off infections and illnesses more effectively. Additionally, stable blood sugar is known to contribute to better sleep quality, hormonal balance, and overall longevity.
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 x2
References
https://hms.harvard.edu/news-events/publications-archive/brain/sugar-brain
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3317401/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7246646/