Autoimmune Conditions and Chinese Medicine
(This article has been written by Dr. Lee Mahoney, acupuncturist in our Tacoma Clinic)
Autoimmunity is a series of diseases affecting more than 15 million Americans. A
number that has steadily increased since 1997. More than 34% of those people with
autoimmunity have more than one autoimmune diagnosis (Known as multi-autoimmune
syndrome).
Autoimmunity occurs when the body’s acquired immune dysregulates and targets your
own healthy tissue, treating it like a foreign pathogen.
Common Autoimmune Conditions
The list of diseases that fall under this type of condition continues to grow but includes:
- Crohn's Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Psoriasis
- Lupus
- Sjogren’s
- Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder and many more.
My Interest in Treating Autoimmune Conditions
I got interested in and pursued a specialty in treating autoimmunity with acupuncture
and herbal medicine, because I saw loved ones, both friends and family, suffering from
at least one form of these, and in some cases developed more as their flare ups
progressed. A flare up is when the immune system is actively attacking healthy tissues
in the body. It usually corresponds with severe symptoms like itching, pain, swelling,
inflammation and depending on the tissue the immune system is reacting on, other very
serious, inconvenient and oftentimes debilitating symptoms. Western medicine usually
treats with medications like steroids, immunosuppressants and pain relievers that
provide relief but with the accompaniment of serious side effects, especially with long-
term use.
I went back to school to find a path, following the latest research, on how acupuncture
and herbal medicine could better treat this debilitating series of diseases and focused
on it for my doctoral dissertation. It turns out research is showing that emotional
dysregulation from either trauma, PTSD, or neglect has significant impact on the
immune system’s ability to self-regulate and prevent auto-reactive immune cells from
circulating in the body.
Acupuncture and Emotional Dysregulation
It is well known and studied that acupuncture has been proven over and over to treat
emotional dysregulation, trauma, and PTSD.
Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Diet
The other factor that determines auto reactive immune activity is the health of the gut. It
turns out that 80% of the cells of the immune responsible for regulating immune response and eliminating roaming rogue autoreactive immune cells, mature in the gut.
What is needed to manage the active phase of an autoimmune condition is a healthy
gut. This means no inflammation, no dysbiosis and a healthy uncompromised gut
lining. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are great at supporting a healthy gut.
Feeling better & personalized care
With a targeted, personalized treatment approach paired with a standard nutritional guidance and supplements protocol, it is possible, with patience, to get your active, inflamed autoimmunity phase calmed and in remission, while also help treating emotional dysregulation, an identified cause of immune dysfunction which can lead to multi-autoimmune syndrome.
If you suffer from one or more of the lists of autoimmune conditions, don’t suffer with those debilitating symptoms, start your treatment today. Feel better sooner and get back to enjoying those things you love to do. I take most major insurances and am eager to work with you or your loved ones, suffering from an autoimmunity.
Written by Dr. Lee Mahoney, Acupuncturist in the Tacoma Clinic
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