Discover Wellness with Dr. Mitch: A Fusion of Traditional and Alternative Medicine
With over 30 years of expertise, Dr. Mitch Moreau of the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine has earned a reputation for delivering results and empowering his patients to take control of their health.
Whether dealing with chronic pain or seeking preventive care, Dr. Mitch’s skills as an osteopath and naturopath – combined with his training as a medical doctor – provides his patients a unique holistic experience to address the root causes of their health issues.
Within this holistic approach Dr. Mitch follows the principles of personalized medicine and considers each patient in a physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual model with the ultimate goal of achieving overall wellness.
Dr. Mitch tells us about 5 conditions he loves to treat:
1. Musculoskeletal dysfunction
From back and neck pain to ankle sprain and muscle strain, osteopathy is my favorite tool to address pain and disability. Although manual treatment is essential to assess and treat stiffness, aches and various injuries or degeneration, I also use injection therapy (soft tissues, joints, mesotherapy, prolotherapy) to reduce pain and increase function. Prescriptions of appropriate medications, a referral to physical therapy or to a specialist when needed, can help my patients get back onto a healthy productive path.
Imaging increasingly plays a part in the diagnosis and management of pain and dysfunction and a patient may expect to be referred for X-rays, MRIs, ultrasound etc. Sometimes “interventional radiology” can provide a very efficient way to reduce pain also. Regardless of which treatment path we embark on, all appropriate steps are taken to make sure that 1) safety is paramount, and 2) treatment generates relief.
2. Fatigue
There are many parameters to check when it comes to fatigue, such as thyroid, anemia, depression, etc. Therefore, from the correction of a blood disorder to the management of a low thyroid or abnormal electrolytes, there are as many ways to treat fatigue as there are various causes. Fatigue can hide a serious ailment and it is a very important step to discuss the details with a health professional – whether it’s a sleep disorder or another medical condition showing up as lack of energy, lethargy, or the basic inability to perform activities of daily living. Depending on the source of the ailment I will tailor the treatment plan to include the different modalities that are best suited to help my patients heal.
3. Depression and anxiety
Unfortunately, statistics prove that more and more individuals feel affected by depression or anxiety, or more likely by both. It is essential to address the core of the disorders and find out why such feelings are controlling one’s life in such a detrimental fashion. The poor quality of life that both depression and anxiety generate is debilitating and sometimes can be dramatic and lead to a fatal outcome. I start with a solid medical screening and then offer different therapies depending on the patient’s symptoms, gravity, and choice of treatment. It is crucial though that a proper evaluation takes place. Depression and anxiety can be a symptom of an underlying condition (infection or toxin) that is causing inflammation. If that is the case, then determining the root cause is crucial.
A referral to psychiatry and/or counseling with medications or supplementation (intravenous, herbal, nutrition) may provide the best support to promptly address the symptoms and find the source of the problem. For those severely affected a visit to the Urgent Care or emergency department may be the intervention that they truly need so action is taken right away.
4. GI symptoms
Many patients end up at their doctor’s for common ailments such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea. When symptoms persist, appropriate testing must be done to get to the underlying cause of your symptoms whether it is in form of endoscopies, stool exam, or specialized lab testing. There are also many disorders that follow a GI ailment due to poor or reduced absorption that need attention. Sometimes a trip abroad, a summer swim in a lake, a condition that has not been uncovered or an inappropriate diet need to be discussed, analyzed and treated. Functional medicine gives us further testing to diagnose and treat, as well as the use of a large palette of medicines, supplements and dietary counseling.
5. Overall wellness
Wellness is the ultimate goal for everyone. I am humbled to be able to draw from 30 years of experience with previous patients to continue providing wellness management to each one of my current and future patients. Wellness encompasses all the specialties and subspecialties of medicine and integrates many therapies and modalities such as yoga, nutrition, exercise, and meditation. To feel well is having optimum health to prevent illness. I come from a tradition of physical medicine, general practice, and exercise, therefore my patients are treated with many modalities and conversations on nutrition and exercise. Wellness is a personal state, different from one person to another, therefore the physician must be able to provide treatment and guidance to a wide variety of individuals who have different aspirations. Integrative medicine – the combination of various modalities together – aims at reaching those goals.
To make an appointment with Dr. Mitch, please give us a call today at 703-532-4892!
About the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine..
Resolving chronic conditions requires a multidimensional approach. By incorporating the best elements of both conventional and alternative medicine, our goal is always to address not only a patient’s physical symptoms but also to treat the root causes of an individual’s pain and illness, including problems of the mind and spirit that may be contributing to the disease process. Read more…
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