Autoimmune Disease & Acupuncture
By Team Acuworx
Did you know there are over 80 autoimmune diseases known to scientists?
Nearly 24 million people in the United States are affected by one of the many variations. Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lupus, alopecia, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis - just to name a few.
The immune system’s job is to protect the body against germs like bacteria and viruses. When germs enter the body, your immune system should send cells to destroy them. Autoimmune diseases impair the immune system’s ability to decipher between foreign cells and healthy cells, resulting in the body attacking itself. For example, in Type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the pancreas. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system can attack parts of the body, including the joints, lungs, and eyes. As of now, there is little known about the cause of autoimmune diseases and no cure just yet. For most patients, symptoms come and go between periods of flare-ups. We suggest investing time into finding what works best for you and your symptoms.
Interested in a complimentary consultation with a licensed acupuncturist?
How acupuncture can help:
The theory and practice of acupuncture originated in China, over 2,500 years ago, and it’s still widely relied on by so many. Jason Jishun Hao, chairman of The Acupuncture Committee, reported that acupuncture’s rise to popularity in the West “can be attributed in part to its effectiveness for pain relief and to the fact that scientific studies have begun to prove its efficacy.”
In seeking treatment for autoimmune diseases, the goal is to reduce systemic inflammation in the body which may be contributing to heightened autoimmune symptoms. Acupuncture is a great way to achieve this goal without adding any negative side effects. It helps to regulate the immune system, bringing the immune response back into balance. Acupuncture can also achieve these goals by addressing the underlying cause of the disease.
In Chinese Medicine, when the immune system can no longer fight a lingering pathogen in the body, it enters the major joints in the body. The pathogen can become dormant for a long time and often shows as an autoimmune disease. Acupuncture can address this by treating the underlying cause - a weak immune system, and/or any pathogens that may have become dormant in the body.
How Does It Work?
When treating autoimmune diseases with acupuncture, they present different symptoms in different people, and may be caused by different pathologies. During an acupuncture session, very thin, hypodermic needles are strategically applied to points on the body. As the acupuncturist targets specific points, your body releases endorphins (natural pain-killing chemicals) which may limit the body’s response to pain.
Come See Us!
Alice is a licensed acupuncturist specializing in treating autoimmune diseases. She has over 7-years of experience treating patients with diseases that affect the gut and joint health, such as IBS and rheumatoid arthritis. Interested to find out if acupuncture can help you?
Book an Appointment With Alice or contact Acuworx for a complimentary consultation!
Hao, J. J., & Mittelman, M. (2014). Acupuncture: past, present, and future. Global advances in health and medicine, 3(4), 6–8. https://doi.org/10.7453/gahmj.2014.042