Acupuncture for Autoimmune Disease Treatment
Easing Immune Problems with Complementary Medicine
Your immune system protects you from the harmful substances that cause infections. Without your immune system, you would fall prey to the bacteria, viruses, and fungal organisms that are all around you. If you have frequent illnesses, your immune system may need additional support in the form of lifestyle changes, herbal medicines, and acupuncture. It’s also possible for your immune system to overreact if you are exposed to harmless substances.
Allergies
Most people are not bothered by pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and other allergens. If you have allergies, however, your immune system sees these substances as foreign invaders. It attacks the allergens with a vengeance, causing symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, and other allergy symptoms. Severe allergic reactions may even lead to anaphylactic shock, which is life-threatening.
Frequent Infections
It’s not unusual to get a cold once or twice per year, but more frequent infections may indicate a problem with your immune system. If you are always coughing, sneezing, and sniffling – and you don’t have allergies – you might need to take supplements or change your diet to enhance your immune system function.
Asthma
Some people have allergic asthma, which is a narrowing of the airways that occurs after exposure to an allergen. Coughing and chest tightness are among the most common symptoms of asthma. Avoiding your allergy triggers will help you prevent complications, but it’s not always possible to avoid allergens completely.
Lupus
Lupus damages the skin, joints, and organs of the body. In people with lupus, the immune system attacks healthy tissue instead of concentrating on infectious organisms. This causes hair loss, fever, fatigue, skin rashes, muscle pain, joint pain, dizziness, and headache, among other symptoms.
Fibromyalgia
Doctors do not know what causes fibromyalgia, but infections, emotional trauma, and physical trauma seem to play a role. If you have fibromyalgia, the widespread pain and fatigue may interfere with your daily routine. This is why it is so important to seek advice from a trained medical professional.
Type 1 Diabetes
You are probably familiar with type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity and poor dietary choices. Type 1 diabetes has many similarities, but it is actually an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin, a hormone used to regulate blood sugar levels in humans.
Celiac Disease
People without celiac disease are able to tolerate gluten. This protein is found in foods made with wheat and rye. If you have celiac disease, however, your immune system will attack part of your small intestine if you are exposed to gluten. Modifying your diet is one way to control the symptoms of this disease, but you might benefit from additional treatments.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks the linings of your joints, causing pain and stiffness. As the disease progresses, your joints will become disfigured and you may have difficulty moving them or performing your normal activities.
CAM Treatments
Complementary and alternative therapies can be used to supplement the medications and other autoimmune disease treatments recommended by your doctor. Acupuncture triggers the release of endorphins in the brain. These chemicals relieve pain, making acupuncture very useful for treating painful autoimmune disorders. Acupuncture is also beneficial for treating allergies and asthma. Our practitioners will also make recommendations regarding lifestyle changes, herbal medicines, and other appropriate therapies.
Customized Treatment for Immune Problems
If you have a problem with your immune system, come to Acupuncture Balanced Health to meet with one of our skilled practitioners. We’ll tailor a treatment plan to your specific condition to provide relief of your symptoms and help you get more enjoyment out of life.