Skin Care Therapy Maryland
We partnered with TOMA Essential Skin Therapies to offer patients direct access to skincare systems that will nourish your skin, relieve dryness, remove dead cells, and replenish with regenerating oils.
Skin Therapies
Whether you are dealing with skin conditions that are caused by aging or a chronic skin condition the doctors at Shakthi Health and Wellness look to use both traditional and alternative treatments.
We embrace an integrative technique for a whole-body look at your health concerns. If you are suffering from a chronic skin condition like psoriasis or simply trying to fight the ramifications of time we are here to help you.
We Partnered With TOMA
Founded by two friends who cultivate their friendship while attending acupuncture school TOMA is a brand that not only wants to heal an individual body but mind and spirit as well. The company focuses on creating sustainable and all-natural skin therapies to help treat not only the effects of aging but also a wide range of chronic skin conditions.
Their products have taken years to develop and have been tested in their own spas for decades. Their therapies like our own Wellness Center look at individuals as a whole and instead of treating the surface issues dive deep and treat the individuals from the inside out…nourishing not just their body but their mind and spirit too.
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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
Meet Our Doctors
Our team is composed of skilled medical professionals who are highly knowledgeable in integrative therapies to help heal and restore your skin.
Our Specialized Health Care model provides patients with in depth consults with each appointment without the restrictions of time limits and jumping through insurance hoops. Our gut health 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.
Our Doctors
What Is Integrative Medicine?
Skin Therapies Defined
When most people think about health they concentrate on internal factors and that is very important. However, sometimes having an outward appearance that gives an individual a piece of mind can be just as helpful to a healthy body and mind as the internal aspects of a health journey.
That is why our doctors want to ensure that skin therapies are included in any wellness plan that is integrative and designed to address the whole-body mentality and philosophy we wholeheartedly prescribe to.
Our doctors will address skin issues with both traditional and alternative therapies. Traditional skin therapies use both a mechanical and manual approach depending on the issue. Each skin condition though must be addressed accordingly, and the therapies traditionally used could include:
- Deep Cleansing
- Peels
- Microdermabrasion
- Microneedling
- Iontophoresis
- Extractions
- Massage
- Mask therapy
- LED therapy
Any part of the body covered in skin can be treated with these therapies. Typically, these therapies can also be used to help prep the body and skin for more advanced treatments.
Making dry needlying procedure on woman's face in the cosmetology office
What Conditions Can Be Treated?
There are many skin conditions or issues that can be treated by one of the skin therapies that our doctors offer. Everything from the effects of aging to the following skin conditions can be addressed using one of the many therapies our doctors offer:
- Photo damage
- Inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea, acne, and dermatitis
- Pigmentation disorders
- Aging
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Impetigo
Alternative Treatments for Your Skin
Our doctors will do an in-depth consultation with you that looks at every aspect of your life in order to cultivate the right treatment plan for you. These treatment plans will include complementary and alternative practices aimed at getting to the root cause of the skin conditions looking to be treated.
Depending on the condition there are a plethora of different options available even within the alternative treatments. Some of the alternative treatments offered by us are:
Acupuncture
There are skin conditions that have to do with a lack of blood flow or damaged cells being present. Acupuncture utilizes thin needles to spur on an individual’s body’s built-in healing systems to address the issue.
Though acupuncture is not ideal for all skin conditions it can be very helpful for a loss of elasticity as well as other effects aging has on the skin. Also, it can bring proper circulation back to an affected area and help with other skin conditions as well.
Alternative medicine. Close-up of female back with steel needles during procedure of acupuncture therapy.
Herbal/Nutritional Remedies
There are several aspects that can fall under the nutritional and herbal remedies umbrella when it comes to alternative treatments. From dietary supplement probiotics to ancient herbal medicine the doctors at Shakthi Health and Wellness look to find the right mixture to create a comprehensive and integrative treatment plan for your skin conditions or simple aesthetic needs.
Some herbs that can be very helpful when looking for a natural way to help treat skin conditions are:
- Calendula – This herbal remedy is well known to help revitalize skin. It can be used to soothe inflammation and irritation. This herb is primarily used topically in salves r skin care products.
- Chamomile – Chamomile has been used for centuries in skin care products. It can be used both topically and internally and has a wealth of benefits other than its ability to be used in skin therapies. The flower can help soothe irritation and reduce inflammation.
- Horsetail – This herb has silica and collagen which helps promote circulation. This gives it the ability to help with skin issues that are directly related to aging. On top of this, it is gentle which makes it a good choice for all skin types.
- Lavender – Lavender is the key ingredient in a ton of skin care products and soaps. The herb refreshes skin and is gentle so it can be used by all skin types. It can be used both topically and internally. Lavender has been used to help clean pores and soothe irritation.
- Nettle Leaf - Nettle leaves are a natural astringent and have silica and other minerals that are good for both skin and hair. Nettles can be used in cleansers and as a toner for all skin types. In particular, the astringent properties work well with dry skin, reducing inflammation and helping balance out sebum production. All of this and it can help with elasticity as well.
Mind-Body Therapies
It may seem like a far-fetched idea that mind-body therapy can help with skin conditions, but they are actually very effective. Our doctors often use meditation, biomat treatments, breathing techniques, biofeedback, muscle relaxation techniques, and hypnotherapy among many other therapies to help with rejuvenation and the treatment of the symptoms that come along with many chronic skin conditions.
Skin is often overlooked but it is the largest organ in the body and though most of the treatments are topical a lot can be done to treat skin conditions with a simple change of diet. That means adding more fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins and minerals could help treat several of the symptoms of many skin conditions.
Ensuring that one is choosing foods that are rich in antioxidants will impact your overall skin health as well. Many foods also are high in things like omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients that help keep your body hydrated and hydrated skin is healthy skin.
Massage
Many of the symptoms and skin issues arrive from environmental factors including stress. That means that though massage may not directly treat skin conditions it definitely helps with the rejuvenation factor.
Massage no matter the type helps improve circulation and relieves tension in muscles. With better circulation more blood is reaching the areas in question and that is vital to making sure your body is using its natural systems to heal and address any potential issues even when it comes to your skin.
LED Therapy
LED therapy has over the past several years begun to be seen as a legitimate way to treat a whole range of health issues. But maybe when it comes to treatments the most common one is skin care. LED light therapy helps promote collagen production which means it has a wealth of anti-aging benefits. But along with that, it can be used to help with chronic skin conditions like acne, dermatitis, and rosacea and even treat scarring and sun damage.
Infrared Sauna
This type of sauna uses light to create heat which then penetrates the skin. This penetration creates a sauna effect which helps with detoxification. Any type of detoxification is a therapy that could potentially help treat skin conditions.
Along with detoxification, this form of treatment is a non-invasive manner of dealing with the skin inflammation and dryness that comes with many of the different chronic skin conditions. In regard to anti-aging the removal of toxins from the body that comes with the detoxification process can be very helpful in combat the effects of aging.
A Partnership Founded on Mutual Philosophy
The doctors at Shakthi Health and Wellness believe in a whole-body treatment that utilizes natural systems built into our bodies to help treat these conditions. Our integrative approach means we look at natural energies and ingredients that can help align our bodies and tackle the root causes of our patient’s health concerns. That means when we do partner with a third party we look for individuals that align with our philosophies and have the same mission statements.
For this reason, when our doctors were looking at skin therapies and the treatments that go with them we wanted to choose a company that thinks the way we do. That is why we chose to work with TOMA Skin Therapies. This company creates skin therapies that look at the individual as a whole and are designed to work with our patient’s bodies.
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 skin condition with comprehensive treatments that actually heal the body rather than just masking the symptoms of your illness.
Helpful Resources
Digital Guide
A comprehensive guide to our services, providers, and locations.
Contact us
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!!
- Shakthi Patients
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.
- Shakthi Patient
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 integrative speciality 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.
