Why Choose Us?
Optimal health and wellness requires identifying specific metabolic imbalances using an integrative approach towards creating stability and balance. Integrative medicine is focused on looking at the physiologic process, not just the illness, to develop a comprehensive functional approach to wellness. At Shakthi Health & Wellness we focus on treating the root cause of the problem, not just the symptoms. Our approach is patient-centered. We look at the environmental factors, biochemistry, and genetic predispositions that may affect the whole person.
Dr. Jyothi Rao,?MD, ABAAHP, FAARFM has 21 years of experience in providing patient care. She received her Doctorate of Medicine (MD) from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and completed her internship and residency at the prestigious New England Medical Center (Tufts) in Boston. In the past, she has practiced at North Shore Internal Medicine in Long Island, Potomac Physicians Maryland and most recently at Crossroads Medical Center in Ellicott City, Maryland. In this last position, Dr. Rao managed a panel of over 3000 patients.
A strong proponent of holistic medicine, Dr. Rao is certified in Medical Acupuncture from UCLA. She is also certified in Cardiopulmonary Stress Testing, which is a personalized assessment of cardiac and pulmonary disease.
Dr. Rao is constantly striving to learn new approaches to help her patients. She is an Advanced Fellow for Anti-aging, Regenerative and Functional Medicine (from the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine ? A4M). She also completed a Masters in Metabolic Nutrition from the University of Southern Florida.
On the side, Dr. Rao is a triathlete who often volunteers at the medical tent during the races. In addition, Dr. Rao volunteers at a free clinic for the homeless.
?I believe knowledge is empowerment and focus my practice on wellness and prevention. Through this partnership in health, my patients and I work together to optimize their health and vitality.?
Education/Certifications
- Board Certified in Internal Medicine
- Board Certified in Anti-Aging Medicine
- Certified in Medical Acupuncture, UCLA
- Certified Cardiopulmonary Stress Testing
- Fellow, Anti-aging, Regenerative & Functional Medicine, A4M
- Enrolled in the Masters Program, Metabolic Nutrition, University of South Florida
Dr. Sudhir Rao MD, ABAAHP,?was first introduced to the field of medicine when he visited his grandfather, a well-known General Practitioner in a small town in India. Despite having limited resources, he saw how much the patients appreciated his grandfather?s care and compassion as well as his medical acumen.? He witnessed the transformation of many patients? lives through excellent medical care delivered by his grandfather, which served as his motivation to enter the field of medicine.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Dr. Rao obtained his undergraduate Bachelors of Science degree in Bio-psychology from the University of Michigan and graduated with Class Honor. He went on to earn his Medical Doctorate from St. George?s University School of Medicine. Through his internship in Internal Medicine at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, he acquired a great deal of knowledge regarding the pathophysiology of the human body and the corresponding challenging treatments required to improve patients? lives.? During his residency in Anesthesiology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center he was awarded distinguished honors in Neurological and Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology upon graduation.
Dr. Rao went on to further specialize in Interventional Pain Medicine as a Fellow at Mt. Sinai College of Medicine. He then worked at Baylor College of Medicine as an Assistant Professor in Pain Medicine where he educated fellows and residents. Dr. Rao also was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to work at Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood, Texas. He assisted in enhancing the pain clinic at Fort Hood to begin providing advanced pain management techniques to the active-duty soldiers with war-related chronic pain issues. Dr. Rao was the first to bring spinal cord stimulation to Fort Hood as well as treat chronic neuropathic pain using cutting edge technology.? He continues to feel that having the opportunity to assist the Army pain physicians as well as treat wounded soldiers is an unparalleled honor and privilege.
Despite Dr. Rao?s years of training focusing on traditional medicine, he developed a strong interest in Functional and Integrative medicine to treat chronic illness with alternative methods after a personal experience with limitations in traditional medicine.? Dr. Rao?s wife developed a rare heart condition (cardiomyopathy) after delivering their first child. The family attempted to treat this condition with traditional cardiovascular medicine under the direction of the leading heart failure specialists in the country without significant improvement. Dr. Rao and his wife then learned about functional medicine and traveled to the leading expert in metabolic cardiology for further treatment. Dr. Rao?s wife was started on a regimen consisting of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and lifestyle modification which eventually led to significant improvement in her heart function.? This personal experience inspired Dr. Rao to enroll in an Advanced Fellowship program in Anti-Aging, Regenerative and Functional Medicine and a Master?s Degree Program through the University of South Florida in Metabolic Medicine and Nutrition to provide alternative and integrative treatment options.? He firmly believes that in order to provide optimal wellness, physicians need to be empowered with a more holistic approach to work with traditional medicine.? He is now Board Certified in Anti-Aging, Regenerative and Functional Medicine as well as Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine.
Dr. Rao relocated closer to his family and took pleasure in improving the quality of life and functionality of his patients. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. In addition, he continues to reach out to the community and volunteers at his local hepatitis clinic through the Department of Health.? Dr. Rao desires to continue to help the community with ongoing outreach efforts through the SimCare PASS Foundation, a non-profit organization he co-founded with his wife.
Aside from his practice, Dr. Rao gives numerous lectures to the community and colleagues discussing advances in the field of Pain Medicine and Regenerative Medicine.? He continues to attend conferences and courses to master the most up to date interventional pain management procedures as well as functional medicine treatment algorithms in order to provide superb patient care and obtain sustainable outcomes.
Dr. Rao has been providing patient care for over a decade, treating his own patients and formulating complex treatment paradigms. His goal is to directly engage his patients in an on-going manner to positively impact their overall quality of life and functionality. Dr. Rao also stresses the importance of providing a nurturing and caring environment, evaluating each patient as an individual and treating the mind and body. ?A comprehensive treatment is the only way to provide the greatest opportunity for sustained benefit and recovery.?
Whole Person Care
At Shakthi Health & Wellness, we offer a wide range of holistic therapies that include the mind and body.?Our experienced physicians and skilled staff can treat illnesses, back and neck pain conditions and promote healing.?We provide?encouragement?and counseling for healthy lifestyles, and provide services that promote the well-being of our patients.