Today's episode of Redefining Medicine features Dr Gary Kaplan. Gary Kaplan, DO, is the founder and medical director of the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine, and author of Total Recovery: A Revolutionary New Approach to Breaking the Cycle of Pain and Depression (Rodale, 2014). A pioneer and leader in the field of integrative medicine, Dr. Kaplan is one of only 19 physicians in the country to be board-certified in both Family Medicine and Pain Medicine.

He is board-certified in Medical Acupuncture and has studied and practiced Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Herbal Medicine. In response to growing numbers of patients presenting with heavy metal toxicity, Dr. Kaplan received certification in the science and practice of chelation therapy, by The American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM).

In 1985, Dr. Kaplan created the Kaplan Medical Center to offer patients suffering with chronic pain and illness a more effective model of medical care. Utilizing a broad range of conventional and alternative medicine strategies, the Center’s physicians, nurses, psychotherapist, dietitian and physical therapists collaborate closely on patients’ progress, sharing their insights and treatment recommendations to ensure the best outcome for each patient. This coordinated, multidisciplinary approach has proved to be highly effective — especially for patients suffering with complex and longstanding medical problems.

“My commitment is to take the time to listen carefully to patients so I can understand how and when the pain problem started, what treatments have been tried, and what has and hasn’t worked in the past. My approach is offer to each patient their own individualized treatment program, integrating, as appropriate, both conventional and alternative medical approaches. My goal is to provide evidence-based medical care that supports and enhances each patient’s natural ability to heal.” – Dr. Gary Kaplan

Dr. Kaplan’s work has been featured in TIME magazine, the Wall Street Journal, Fox News 5, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN News, BBC, US News and World Report, and NPR’s Diane Rehm Show. He writes a regular column for MindBodyGreen. Washingtonian Magazine has included Dr. Kaplan in its list of the “Best Doctors in the Washington, DC Area,” and has received the distinction of being a “Top rated” physician in the Northern Virginia area by Consumer’s Checkbook.