Plum Health Blog
Dr. Raquel Orlich is a Family Medicine Doctor in Detroit Michigan
Dr. Raquel Orlich is a Family Medicine Doctor in Detroit Michigan
Dr. Raquel Orlich is a family medicine doctor and she has been practicing with our clinic, Plum Health DPC, in Corktown Detroit for the past 2 years and 8 months. She provides excellent, compassionate care for our patients at Plum Health and delivers comprehensive care for all of her patients.
Dr. Raquel Orlich is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Board Certified in Obesity Medicine. She loves helping her patients with musculoskeletal issues via the use of Osteopathic Manual Medicine (OMM), she enjoys engaging in women’s health care issues, and she enjoys addressing overweight and obesity issues as she helps her patients lose weight and become healthier.
Further, Dr. Raquel Orlich’s patients love the care that she delivers. This is best captured by a recent Google review from one such patient:
By far the best in health care I've ever dealt with. I was only a patient here under a year, but I gleaned so much info and confidence in my health journey. I moved to another state and am constantly wishing I could just hop in to Plum! I saw Raquel Orlich specifically, and she was a joy as well as being supremely comfortable, knowledgeable and communicative. Every test was returned with detailed results so I was never once confused or doing my own research or guessing at how to correct the issue. She always heard me out and was willing to explore even if I was wrong. I was never brushed off and I usually left feeling confident. Chris was amazing and so welcoming as well and made all the labs a breeze. I'd honestly stand outside with a sandwich board on waiving cars into the parking lot like H&R block in tax season if they wanted me to. 🤣 They are so worth it.
Further, Dr. Orlich has been with us for 2 years and 8 months, so she knows many of the resources available to patients here in Detroit and beyond. This allows her to guide patients to the best care options and reach their optimal health.
Thank you Dr. Orlich for all that you do for our clinic and our patients!
The above photo was taken in March 2019 - Dr. Orlich was completing the last few months of her residency program and she was coming by to pick up a fresh new white coat and her new business cards. This was an exciting moment and it was so great to welcome her as part of our Plum Health team.
Dr. Raquel Orlich Celebrates 2 Years with Plum Health DPC
Dr. Raquel Orlich Celebrates 2 Years with Plum Health DPC
As of this month, Dr. Raquel Orlich has been with Plum Health DPC for 2 years!
Dr. Orlich is Board Certified in Family Medicine, Board Certified in Obesity Medicine, and she holds a certification in administering Botox in our clinic (treating wrinkles, TMJ, and migraines).
Beyond her technical skills, Dr. Orlich has built trusting and healing relationships with her patients. She is currently accepting new patients.
Thank you for helping us make health care affordable and accessible in Detroit and beyond!
Raquel Orlich DO is a Detroit Doctor who is Board Certified in Obesity Medicine
Raquel Orlich DO is a Detroit Doctor who is Board Certified in Obesity Medicine
Dr. Raquel Orlich is Board Certified in Family Medicine and she is Board Certified in Obesity Medicine. Dr. Orlich helps people in our practice lose weight and keep it off with an evidence-based approach. This is just another way that we're making comprehensive health care affordable and accessible at Plum Health DPC.
Dr. Raquel Orlich is Board Certified in Obesity Medicine and Family Medicine. She helps patients lose weight via an evidence-based approach to care.
Rates of Obesity in Detroit
The rate of Obesity in Detroit is 38%, that means that more than 1 in 3 Detroiters are Obese. The rate of Obesity in the State of Michigan is high as well, and it leads to early heart attacks and strokes, as well as an increase in the risk of diabetes. Here’s some striking findings from a recent report from the Michigan Department of Community Health:
Michigan had the 8th highest prevalence rate of obesity in the United States in 2008.
In 2008, 65.3% of Michigan adults were either overweight or obese; 35.2% were overweight and an additional 30.1% were obese.
Blacks had a significantly higher obesity rate (39.8%) than whites (28.8%).
Obese adults had a higher prevalence of arthritis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, coronary heart disease, stroke, heart attack, diabetes and inadequate sleep compared with non-obese adults.
Obese adults also reported the highest prevalence of poor life satisfaction, poor general health, poor physical health, poor mental health and activity limitations compared with non-obese adults.
This is why it’s so important to take an evidence-based approach to weight loss via healthy eating and healthy exercising. If we continue to grow heavier as a society and as a community, the weight-related comorbidities will cause big problems for our overall health - physical, psychological, and emotional.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Raquel Orlich, you can do so here.
Dr. Raquel Orlich is a Family Physician in Detroit Michigan
Dr. Raquel Orlich is a Family Physician in Detroit Michigan
Dr. Raquel Orlich is a family medicine physician in Detroit, Michigan. She takes care of a broad range of conditions out of her office in Corktown Detroit. She’s building a reputation as an excellent primary care physician and family medicine doctor. One of her patients recently left a glowing review on Google:
I have been a patient at Plum for a little under one year now. Since the moment I was greeted at the door by Chris, I felt very welcomed and comfortable. Changing doctors can sometimes be scary because you hope they have your best interest at heart, but sometimes that doesn't always end up being true. That is not the case with Plum Health. Dr. Raquel is hands down the best Dr. I've ever had (and I've had a lot). She addressed every issue and concern with meticulous solutions. Dr. Paul was also very attentive any time Dr. Raquel was away. What I love most about Plum Health is how you can text or call them at all hours if the matter is urgent or if you have random health questions. They respond in a timely manner, it's awesome. I would recommend Plum Health to every person who does not have access to health insurance. It's the next best thing. OH! Getting your prescriptions at wholesale price saved me a lot of money which was a huge plus!
Raquel Orlich, DO is a Family Medicine Doctor Accepting New Patients
Currently, Dr. Raquel Orlich is accepting new patients at her office in Corktown Detroit. She takes care of people from Detroit and the surrounding communities, including Royal Oak, Ferndale, Southfield, Dearborn, Taylor, Redford, Southgate, Grosse Pointe, and many more.
In the above photo, Dr. Raquel Orlich is using an osteopathic manual medicine technique - she uses her hands to help people with musculoskeletal pain and discomfort. If you’d like to see Dr. Raquel Orlich, you can schedule an appointment with her, here.
Plum Health Featured in The Jewish News
Plum Health DPC Featured in The Jewish News
This week, Plum Health DPC was featured in The Jewish News by writer Ben Falik. My favorite excerpts are as follows:
It’s simpler to describe how direct primary care works than how — let me count the ways — traditional fee-for-service, even with “good” insurance, does not:
I am a member of Plum Health Direct Primary Care. Membership costs $49 a month. Raquel Orlich is my doctor.
I guess she’s other people’s doctor too. But I can call, email or text (from my $50/month phone) Dr. Orlich anytime I’m having an issue and, if she can’t solve it remotely, she can always see me that day or the following.
At one point, there were some balloons celebrating Dr. Orlich’s 300th patient. Ultimately, she’ll have around 500. That seems like a lot, I thought, especially compared to my prior impression that I was her only patient.
The writer, Ben Falik, discusses when his daughter got a splinter in her finger and she was brought to our Plum Health DPC office for care:
Phoebe got a splinter in her finger recently. We texted “Dr. Raquel.” She wrote me right back with her availability. I brought Phoebe to the office at Michigan and Trumbull. Free street parking. Splinter gone. Respectable Band-Aid selection. No charge. And now Phoebe wants to be either a doctor or Great Dane when she grows up.
Dr. Raquel Orlich removes a splinter within 24 hours of being notified of said splinter.
Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day,
-Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC
Dr. Raquel Orlich Featured on WDET's Detroit Today
This week, Dr. Raquel Orlich was featured on WDET’s Detroit Today radio program. Dr. Orlich answered many insightful questions from both the host Stephen Henderson and callers. To listen to the show, follow this link.
Raquel Orlich, DO is a board certified family physician. She has been with Plum Health since July 2019 and everyday she works to deliver affordable and accessible health care in Detroit. She is passionate about quality patient-centered care and establishing strong doctor-patient relationships. Her clinical interests include osteopathic manipulative medicine for chronic musculoskeletal issues, women’s health, and preventative health. She is a graduate of Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency training at Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital.
Dr. Paul Thomas and Dr. Raquel Orlich are family medicine doctors with Plum Health DPC in Detroit Michigan. Recently, Dr. Raquel Orlich was featured on WDET to discuss Coronavirus.
Here’s the abbreviated transcript from WDET:
Guests
Dr. Anne Messman, emergency room doctor at a Detroit Hospital
Dr. Raquel Orlich, family doctor at Plum Health Direct Primary Care in Corktown, Detroit
I live alone and have been sheltering in place. Is it OK for me to visit other people who have also been sheltering in place by themselves?
No. The social distancing guideline still stands not to visit people. Until we know how to identify asymptomatic carriers, we must stay apart, unfortunately.
Do asymptomatic people ever show symptoms, or do they stay asymptomatic?
“Asymptomatic carriers, by definition, never get sick or show symptoms, but they can still pass on the virus,” says Dr. Messman.
Can COVID-19 survivors get infected by coronavirus after they have recovered?
We don’t know, yet. We do know the coronavirus has mutated several times, so, at this time, we believe it is possible that a survivor could get the virus again.
How long does it take for someone to shed the virus?
It varies greatly. Some people stopped shedding the virus soon after recovery, and for others, it took up to a month. We also don’t know yet if you can infect someone while you’re shedding the virus.
I was exposed to someone who later tested positive for coronavirus. I have had symptoms including a cough and low energy, and I passed out recently. What should I do?
Since there is still no treatment for COVID-19, if you are experiencing mild symptoms, it is best to stay home and recover. Do not take NSAID medications like ibuprofen or Motrin. It is okay to take Tylenol if you want to treat a fever. If your symptoms are severe and you need medical attention, you should go to the hospital.
I had a cold last month and some of those symptoms are still lingering. Is that a symptom of coronavirus?
If you’ve had a cold, or have had seasonal allergies in the past, don’t worry. A tickle in the throat can last weeks after having a cold. However, if you have symptoms that are unusual for you, pay attention for symptoms of COVID-19 and take extra care. If you experience sever symptoms, go to a hospital.
Does using Tylenol to treat a fever negatively impact my immune response? Should I just leave the fever untreated?
Healthcare providers have differing opinions on this question, but if you have a fever and want to treat it, Tylenol is OK. A very high fever can be very dangerous and should not go untreated.
Does wearing a mask protect me, or other people?
Wearing a mask protects both you and other people. The main function of the mask is to catch droplets from someone coughing or sneezing before they get in the air. It is best to wear a mask if you need to go out.
I had a stomach virus recently. Is that a symptom of COVID-19?
Some patients who tested positive have experienced symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting. There are other reasons you might experience gastrointestinal issues including influenza or food poisoning.
I may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, but I’m showing no symptoms. Can I get an antibody test to find out if am an asymptomatic carrier?
We do not have an antibody test, yet.
This week, Dr. Raquel Orlich was featured on Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson. She was able to answer many listener’s questions about Coronavirus and Covid-19
Dr. Raquel Orlich Reaches A Major Milestone
This week, Dr. Raquel Orlich reached a major milestone - she now has 200 patients in her practice panel. Here’s what we said on Facebook:
A huge congratulations 🎈 to Dr. Raquel Orlich. She joined our Plum Health direct primary care practice on July 1st 2019 and she’s already reached 200 patients in her panel!
Dr. Raquel 👩🏻⚕️ is intelligent, compassionate, and a relentless advocate for the health and wellbeing of her patients. She focuses on chronic musculoskeletal issues, women's health, and preventive medicine.
We’re lucky to work with you, and our patients are fortunate to have such a kind and caring doctor looking out for their best interests. 💯
Of note, Dr. Raquel has room for about 500 patients in her practice panel, so if you’d like to sign up to be one of her patients, head over to our Schedule Now page to get started!
-Drs. Paul Thomas and Raquel Orlich with Plum Health DPC
How to Quit Drinking Alcohol in Detroit
The holidays are just around the corner. It’s that time of year we catch up with good friends and loved ones. As we are celebrating, it is important that we safely enjoy our alcoholic beverages. It is also imperative to be transparent with your doctor about the amount of your alcohol consumption as we will discuss more below, can greatly impact your physical health causing chronic ailments like heart disease, high blood pressure, and liver disease. Excessive alcohol use can also be associated with mental health concerns such as depression and anxiety.
What does it mean to be above the legal limit for drinking?
According to the CDC, all states in the United States have adopted a blood alcohol content percentage (BAC) 0.08% as the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle for drivers aged 21 years or older. However, drivers younger than 21 are not allowed to operate a motor vehicle with any level of alcohol in their system.
Legal limits are measured using either a blood alcohol test or a breathalyzer.
Legal limits are typically defined by state law, and may vary according to individual characteristics, such as age and occupation.
What is one “drink” according to the CDC?
12-ounces of beer (5% alcohol content).
8-ounces of malt liquor (7% alcohol content).
5-ounces of wine (12% alcohol content).
1.5-ounces (1 shot glass) of liquor (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, whiskey).
What are the current recommendations for alcohol use?
With the holidays approaching, it is important to drink alcohol in moderation. This means 1 drink per day for women, and 2 drinks per day for men. These recommendations should adhere to the one “drink” standard described above. This means that wine glasses should not be filled to the brim! It is always important to keep in mind that with certain medications interact with alcohol use, including sleeping pills, muscle relaxers or other sedative medications that may make you drowsy. Always be sure to consult your physician and check your prescription bottle for recommendations in regards to alcohol consumption.
Guidelines for Excessive Drinking
According to the CDC, binge drinking includes 4 alcoholic beverages for women, or 5 for men, in a two-hour period. Heavy drinking is considered 8+ drinks per week for women, or 15+ drinks per week for men. Any drinking by a pregnant women or individual under the age of 21 is considered excessive.
What are signs of Alcohol Use Disorder?
Some of the signs and symptoms of alcohol use disorder could include:
Inability to limit drinking.
Continuing to drink despite personal or professional problems.
Needing to drink more to get the same effect.
Wanting a drink so badly you can’t think of anything else.
Health Risks of Alcohol Use
According to the CDC, there are short-term and long-term health risks associated with heavy alcohol use.
Short-Term Health Risks
Excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that increase the risk of many harmful health conditions. These are most often the result of binge drinking and include the following:
Injuries, car crashes, falls, drowning, and burns.
Violence, including homicide, suicide, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence.
Alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels.
Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
Miscarriage and stillbirth or fetal alcohol syndrome disorder among pregnant women.
Long-Term Health Risks
Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including:
High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems.
Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon.
Learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance.
Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.
Social problems, including lost productivity, family problems, and unemployment.
Alcohol dependence, or alcoholism.
Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal
After discontinuing alcohol use, within the first 2-4 days days it is possible to have several symptoms including, shakiness, sweating, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headaches and a fast heart rate (also known as tachycardia). More serious symptoms include delirium tremens (DT), seizures and death. Any withdrawal from alcohol should be monitored by your healthcare provider as these symptoms may occur.
Resources for Alcohol Use
Substance Abuse and mental health services’ (SAMHSA) National Helpline number, open 24/7 365 days, 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
For more information on how you can safely consume alcohol this winter, please visit the CDC.
How To Quit Drinking Alcohol in Detroit
If you need help with quitting drinking alcohol, we’re happy to help. We can direct you to the best resources available for alcohol cessation, and we can treat alcoholism in our office. The Sinclair Method is a reasonable treatment option in some cases and it involves taking Naltrexone one hour prior to alcohol consumption. There are also local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and other support groups that you can attend to help you reduce or eliminate your alcohol consumption.
Thanks for reading and have a great day,
-Dr. Paul Thomas and Dr. Raquel Orlich
What is Osteopathic Medicine?
What is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or “DO”?
The best way to define an Osteopathic Physician is by what they believe. They follow the four tenets or principles of Osteopathic Medicine. They are as follows:
The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit.
The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance.
Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function.
In short, an osteopathic physician is trained to treat the person as a whole as every body system can relate to one another. Because of this holistic approach, not surprisingly many DOs have a strong interest in preventative health and primary care.
Osteopathic physicians complete four years of medical school and at least three years of residency, just like their Allopathic or MD counterparts. However, in addition to their stethoscopes and medical exam equipment, DOs have special training to use their hands as diagnostic and therapeutic tools with a treatment called Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine.
Dr. Raquel Orlich uses her hands to treat a patient at the Plum Health DPC; this is known as Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine.
What is Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine?
A DO or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is trained in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine also known as “OMM or OMT” during medical school and residency. It is a hands-on technique used to help diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury.
During an osteopathic exam, a head to toe assessment will be performed to evaluate for abnormalities that the Doctor can feel with their hands called somatic dysfunctions. These abnormalities may have an effect on your activities of daily living, like dressing, eating, and bathing. They may also disrupt the way you walk and the way you move because they may be painful, and this can impact your overall quality of life.
Somatic dysfunctions can be defined as impaired or altered function of the somatic (body framework) system: skeleton, joints, and myofascial structures (muscles, ligaments, tendons) and their relation to the blood vessels, lymphatic system, and nerves.
A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or DO employs treatments that restore and improve range of motion, by focusing on realigning trouble spots. Treatment modalities are patient specific and can include myofascial release (soft tissue work), muscle energy, high velocity low amplitude (traditional chiropractic work), counterstrain, and Still technique. During the visit, time will be set aside to discuss home stretches, exercises, and injury prevention.
What conditions can an Osteopathic Physician Treat with Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine?
Dr. Raquel Orlich uses the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine technique to diagnose and treat a patient with a musculoskeletal health problem at the Plum Health DPC clinic in Detroit, Michigan.
Here is a list of common issues that can be treated and improved with OMM
Pain related to improper alignment in the back, hips, shoulders, and neck (chronic and acute)
Musculoskeletal pain of the arm and leg
Nerve impingement (sciatica, radiculopathy)
Range of motion of tissues and joints
Headache (tension, migraine, and sinus)
Constipation
If you are dealing with some of the issues listed above, you may be a good candidate for OMM as a safe and effective form of therapy. Getting an appointment is easy, just click this link.
-Dr. Raquel
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Welcome Dr. Raquel!
We are very excited to welcome Dr. Raquel Orlich to our practice at Plum Health DPC. Join us tonight at 5:30 pm at Batch Brewing Company and meet the newest Family Doctor in Detroit! To RSVP on our Facebook event, click here.
Join us tonight at Batch Brewing Company, 1400 Porter Street, Detroit, MI as we welcome our newest Family Medicine Doctor to Plum Health DPC, Dr. Raquel Orlich, DO.
Dr. Raquel Pence, DO - soon to be Dr. Orlich - is board certified family physician. She is excited to join the mission of bringing affordable and accessible health care to Detroit. She is passionate about quality patient-centered care and establishing strong doctor-patient relationships. Her clinical interests include osteopathic manipulative medicine for chronic musculoskeletal issues, women’s health, and preventative health. She is a graduate of Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency training at Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital, where she is currently Chief Resident.
Family Medicine doctors are uniquely trained to take care of a wide range of health care issues. Family Practice doctors are able to treat children or provide pediatric care, women during their reproductive years or gynecological services, adults or internal medicine services, as well as health care for older adults also known as geriatric care. Family Physicians take care of the whole person and specialize taking care of people in the context of their families, communities, and greater environments.
Detroit is experiencing a shortage in excellent primary care services and specifically family medicine doctors. This is a part of the reason that we are so excited to have Dr. Raquel Orlich as a part of our team, serving Detroiters with high quality, affordable, and accessible health care services from our Southwest Detroit office.
Thanks for reading and have a great day,
- Dr. Paul Thomas, MD