Traditional Chinese Medicine for Autoimmune Disease
More than 50 million people in the United States suffer from some type of autoimmune disease, making it the third leading chronic illness in the United States following heart disease and cancer. Women are more than twice as likely as men to have an autoimmune disease.
The defining feature of autoimmune illnesses is the body’s immune system attacking healthy cells that are actually designed to defend the body. Major autoimmune disease symptoms include pain and inflammation, but other signs and symptoms can vary greatly depending on the type of autoimmune disease.
Some of the most common autoimmune diseases are:
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Pernicious Anemia
- Crohn’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Addison’s Disease
- Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
- Celiac Disease
- Lupus
- Thyroid Disease
- Psoriasis/Psoriatic Arthritis
- Guillain–Barré Syndrome
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Graves’ Disease
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Sjogren’s Syndrome
- Autoimmune Vasculitis
Although the symptoms vary greatly across different types for autoimmune disorders, many the general symptoms of autoimmune disorders are fairly similar, including pain and inflammation. The most common and typical symptoms o autoimmune disorders include:
- Fatigue
- Joint Pain
- Muscle Pain
- Muscle Weakness
- Rashes
- Shortness of Breath
- Dry Eyes
- Low-Grade Fever
- Swelling and Redness
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Numbness & Tingling in the Hands & Feet
- Hair Loss
- Weight Loss
- Trouble Concentrating
- Heart Palpitations
- Repeated Miscarriages
The cause of autoimmune diseases is unknown. They are extremely complicated illnesses. Generally speaking, it is believed that autoimmune disorders may be brought on by a mix of genetic predisposition and elements including germs, viruses, toxins, and some medications.
Sadly, there is no treatment for the majority of autoimmune diseases. However, there are strategies to manage symptoms, stop further progression, and even assist remission.
With the right support, many people with autoimmune diseases can live very high-quality lives.
How Acupuncture and TCM May Help Autoimmune Disorders
Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, and both have been used for many, many years. In TCM, it is believed that autoimmune illnesses develop as a result of a physical imbalance. Acupuncture and other TCM treatments work to restore balance and support the body’s innate healing abilities. These techniques target the root issues to support health and balance.
Acupuncture involves inserting tiny, hair-thin needles at specific points on the body. The immune and endocrine systems, blood flow, neurotransmitters, stress, pain, the gastrointestinal tract, infertility, migraines, thyroid hormones and functioning, and asthma are among the systems and functions of the body that have been discovered to be positively affected by acupuncture.
Studies have shown that acupuncture increases bodily reactions related to immunological functioning, particularly with reference to autoimmune illnesses. This includes the pituitary gland, hormone production, nerve cells, and some regions of the brain.
According to research, acupuncture also affects the parasympathetic nervous system reaction. This may benefit autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and irritable bowel syndrome that are characterized by poor parasympathetic function. Stress also makes a lot of autoimmune disorders worse. Both acupuncture and TCM are highly effective at reducing stress. Acupuncture can also relieve the pain and inflammation brought on by autoimmune illnesses. In fact, one acupuncture’s most widely known benefits is that it triggers endorphins, otherwise known as the body’s naturally painkillers.
In studies, 85% of patients living with chronic pain have reported relief from acupuncture.
Find out how we can assist if you are experiencing autoimmune disease symptoms or other health issues! Book your Vero Beach Acupuncture appointment now!