Weight Management Specialists Maryland
Our medically supervised program is individualized and tailored to your needs. Everyone's weight loss journey is different. You are different and we believe you should not have to settle.
Weight Management
Our practice believes enhancing your vitality is possible through holistic lifestyle changes. Integrative medicine focuses on the relationship between your mind, body, and soul. We are mindful of this significant union when supporting your path to whole body wellness.
Our healing-oriented therapies combine complementary and conventional medicine to promote whole body health and wellness.
There is no magic pill for losing weight and keeping it off. You know it. You've heard it before. Yet millions of Americans spend billions of dollars searching for the magic bullet only to fall short of their weight loss goals or worse yet gain back every pound that was lost. The most sustainable approach to managing weight is through a healthy, nutrient-rich diet and regular exercise and movement.
At Shakthi, we're not interested in offering a weight loss program that garners short-term results. We are focused on you living the very best life in good health. Our medically supervised program is individualized and tailored to your needs.
Our practice believes enhancing your vitality is possible through holistic lifestyle changes. Integrative medicine focuses on the relationship between your mind, body, and soul. We are mindful of this significant union when supporting your path to whole body wellness.
Our healing-oriented therapies combine complementary and conventional medicine to promote whole body health and wellness.
Our Weight Loss Program
Everyone's weight loss journey is different. You are different and we believe you should have to settle for a cookie-cutter approach.
Our physicians use specialty laboratory and diagnostic testing to assess body composition. We develop a tailor-made program that will achieve the results of the individual. Our weight loss therapy targets resetting the weight control center of the brain.
Utilizing all-natural (non-hormonal) herbal appetite suppressants, nutritional supplements, nutrition counseling, calorie reduction, and education, we work closely with you to develop a nutritionally sound plan.
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What Makes Shakthi Different?
Shakthi Health and Wellness uses direct primary care model that removes the restrictions of appointment time limits and insurance hassles. This personalized approach to healthcare gives Dr. Rao and her experienced team the time to listen, learn, and run diagnostics tests that complete a comprehensive picture or your health history and condition.
Once we have diagnosed your illness we will create a treatment plan that the addresses the root cause and not just your symptoms. Our treatment plans often include a variety of alternative therapies, diet adjustments, exercise advices, and conventional medicine treatments when required.
What does Shakthi Mean?
Shakthi (Shuk-thee) means Strength, Empowerment, and Agent of Change.
Frequently Asked Questions
We value the importance of the relationship between the doctor and the patient. That is why Dr. Jyothi Rao has taken the time to answer some of the most commonly asked questions at Shakthi Health & Wellness. View our FAQ page here.
What To Expect
Weight Loss Specialists
Meet Our Doctors
Our team is composed of skilled medical professionals who are highly knowledgeable in medically supervised weight management programs.
Our Direct Primary Care model provides patients with in depth consults with each appointment without the restrictions of time limits and jumping through insurance hoops. Our Integrative medicine doctors in Maryland, Dr. Jyothi Rao and Dr. Sudhir Rao, have the same medical training, licensing, and certifications any other physician would have working in other healthcare models
Jyothi Rao
MD, ABAAHP, FAARFM
Dr. Jyothi Rao is the founder of Shakthi Health and Wellness Center. She has over 20 years of experience with integrative, holistic, alternative, and complementary approaches to medicine. Dr. Rao believes knowledge is empowerment and focusses her practice on whole body wellness, and disease prevention
Sudhir Rao
MD, ABAAHP
Dr. Sudhir Rao is a board certified doctor over 20 years of experience with traditional medicine and alternative medicines for chronic pain. he developed a strong interest in Functional and Integrative Medicine to treat chronic illness after a personal experience with limitations in traditional medicine.
Why Is Weight Management So Important?
We truly believe that everybody's Wellness path is unique to them and them alone. That includes when it comes to issues having to do with your weight. Weight management is often defined solely by body mass index. But this is not an accurate determination and so we at Shakthi Health and Wellness look at other aspects in order to determine whether a weight management plan is necessary.
Being overweight is a struggle and can put a lot of stress on different processes and systems in your body. Being overweight for an extended period of time can bring with it even longer and more serious consequences. Weight management is important because not taking care of your weight can lead to major effects on your lifestyle and even your relationships- both with others and yourself.
Weight management can also help us in an integrative process when dealing with several other preexisting conditions that you're dealing with such as diabetes and chronic fatigue.
Calories counting , diet , food control and weight loss concept. tablet with Calorie counter application on screen at dining table with salad, fruit juice, bread and vegetable
What Causes Someone to be Overweight?
Understanding the importance of weight management and not having long terminal velocity is just one aspect of the discussion that comes with weight management. Another big key factor is looking at the root cause of weight gain. There are many different reasons someone may put on weight.
Here are some of the most common:
- The most common reason that someone begins to gain weight is by having a high-calorie intake. In other words, they are eating too much food or not eating the right foods.
- Unfortunately, our genetics do play a role in weight gain. If there is a genetic predisposition to being overweight one may struggle with it their entire life.
- Insulin regulates metabolism when it comes to fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. This is because it regulates glucose but if your insulin levels are high that could be one of the causes of your weight gain.
- Our bodies produce a hormone called leptin that is intended to help regulate our appetite. If your body is producing too little leptin your body is not being told that it's being satiated and will continue to crave sustenance. Leptin resistance is a huge influence on weight gain.
- Though the medications you're taking may be intended to help you choose, there are many that can also contribute to weight gain. Medications like antidepressants, steroids, epilepsy medication, antipsychotics, and many others all can hinder your body's ability to process things and lead to weight gain.
Ramifications of Being Overweight
As we said, being overweight can lead to a plethora of different health concerns. having the extra pounds can put extra stress on your body's muscles and joints as well as increase the risk of you developing the following health issues:
- heart disease
- sleep issues
- arthritis
- reduced mobility
- mental health issues
- high blood pressure
- infertility
- stroke
- cancer
Treatments We Use
There are many things that can cause weight gain from diseases to medication but when it comes to treating being overweight in a holistic and natural way the best medicine is education and healthy lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity and eating healthy.
So our doctors at Shakthi Health and Wellness looking to address weight management by utilizing a mixture of plans for a more successful weight management program:
Herbal/Nutritional Supplements
There are tons of herbal and nutritional supplements out there that can be used to gently increase the success of a weight management plan. From cayenne pepper to turmeric to Jensen there are many herbal aids that you can utilize. Many of these herbs help suppress appetite or address other root causes of weight gain.
Nutrition Counseling
Maybe one of the most impactful causes of weight gain is poor eating habits. Understanding how your body works and what foods work with it is vital. In order to build a healthier lifestyle nutritional counseling can be key and is an integral part of our integrative Wellness plans when dealing with weight management.
Diet Plan Creation
Along with nutritional counseling, our doctors work with the patients to create a diet plan that works for their individual needs and body. Everybody's body is different and though the food may be the same it interacts with everything uniquely. So creating a custom diet plan for you, your goals, and your lifestyle will not only help you with weight management but also be consistent with your treatment plan.
Education
Because weight management is going to be a lifelong lifestyle change, education is key. Our doctors partner with nutritional and other specialists to give you every bit of information you need to ensure that your weight management is successful.
It’s Not Just About the Body
Though we focus greatly on diet and other aspects of weight management we do not overlook the importance of mental health. It is not all about the body it is about the mind and the spirit as well. There are many mental health disorders and illnesses that can contribute to weight gain.
So looking at mental health as well as the physical is vitally important period our integrative practices look at this as well as the spiritual in order to create a more balanced plan that is perfect for you.
Benefits of Creating a Healthy Body and Mind
Besides extending the vitality of our patients there are many other benefits that come with having a healthy body and mind. Your body and mind are both affected by your weight and your self-image. It's important for us to help you extend your vitality and also help you live the life you want.
This means if you're struggling with your weight we want to help you with a comprehensive and integrative weight management plan. These plans will help you find your way to living a better life on a daily basis by improving your sleep, giving you mental clarity, improving your overall physical health, and all of that will lead you to be able to live a happier and healthier life.
About Us
We believe in practicing medicine that focuses on whole body health. As integrative medicine doctors we focus our on root cause of your condition with comprehensive treatments that actually heal the body rather than just masking the symptoms of your illness.
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A comprehensive guide to our services, providers, and locations.
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Patient Testimonials
Patient Testimonials
I started by seeing Dr. Sudhir Rao for my Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Syndrome. I had an accident in July 2010 that caused nerve damage in my ankle. After treatments and surgery, it spread up the entire left side of my body. The only way to describe how you feel is by saying you’re a human pinball machine ? you just never know where the pain is going to be that minute. I had asked about acupuncture because someone had told me that it worked for them. I was at the point of trying anything to lessen the pain because it was getting worse every day.
- Susan Doyle
I am actually a relatively healthy 50-year-old woman. I try to eat well and exercise, but I (like many) felt the creep of age in the form a subtle pounds and decreasing energy. Dr. Rao helped point me in the direction of the correct detox program for me (Core Restore!) as well as the supplements I needed to boost my metabolism and increase my energy! I still need to eat what works for me and avoid the things that don't, and I still have to exercise every day, but my clothes fit better and I have more energy!!
I came to see Dr. Rao with symptoms of chronic fatigue, abdominal pains, depression, and weight gain. I had seen a couple other doctors and they had found that I had very high inflammation levels and over 15 food allergies/sensitivities. They wanted me to just take prescription drugs, but I wanted more than a quick fix. I wanted my health and my life back! When I scheduled the appointment, I was surprised how by helpful Kelly was on the phone. I didn’t know the details of my insurance coverage and Kelly offered to call my insurance for me. I’ve never had anyone at a doctor’s office do that before.
- Anna Smoot
After visiting the Shakthi website and reading other patient testimonials, I was curious about the wide variety of treatments that were available. I have a very slow metabolism, was fatigued, had insomnia, back pain, and just didn’t feel as well as I wanted to in general. I had more allergic reactions and respiratory issues in the preceding months before coming to see Dr. Jyothi Rao. I had completed three courses of prednisone while under the treatment of my traditional doctor and was fed up with that cycle and was looking for another path.
- Debbie Helman
I was given the gift of Dr. Rao's primary care for Christmas in 2016. I didn?t take advantage of it until March of 2017. My mindset at the time was negative. I had heard about changing eating habits and I felt that I liked the foods I was eating and I was nearly 70, so why change now? After meeting with Dr. Rao and hearing her suggestions, I said I would take it one small step at a time and see what happens.
-Linda J
I was in the worst shape of my life with depression and anxiety. I had given up.
Shakthi provided me with a manageable plan that included supplements, diet, and an exercise program that has transformed my body and given me a new outlook on life. Perhaps the most surprising outcome was learning how to be healthy and have a good relationship with my body. I am now more productive, energetic, and focused. The fog that had been clouding my thoughts has lifted.
What To Expect
How Treatment Works
Our doctors and staff take time to get invested in your health and well-being. We've taken a step back from mainstream medicine and are challenging the norm. Everyone's healthcare needs are different. You are different. We believe patients shouldn't settle. Our practice is not a revolving door. We listen, and most importantly, we hear you.
Appointments
Appointments are conducted on an as-needed basis. Patients can expect appointments to be more thorough and focused on their needs. As direct primary care doctors, we see a limited number of patients which means each of our patients receives dedicated care without the concern of being “rushed” our of an appointment.
Diagnostic Testing
We offer patients scientifically backed health assessments to better understand the root causes of their health conditions. We evaluate any disruptions to your health and body to develop effective wellness plans to optimize your vitality. To learn more about the specific tests we offer visit this page here.
Costs Involved
Patients receive personalized and tailored care in exchange for a flat fee. Overall cost will be discussed during your initial consultation. Each subsequent appointment will not need to be individually paid for. All patients receive unlimited access to their physicians which leads to better overall health and wellness.
