Treating Autoimmune Disease with Acupuncture
Over 50 million
Americans suffer from autoimmune disease; an autoimmune disease occurs when
the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue. Autoimmune disorders
include Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroid disease, Addison's disease,
pernicious anemia, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis
and Guillain–Barré syndrome. Due to the complexity of treating autoimmune
disorders, integrative medicine solutions including acupuncture and
Oriental medicine have received much attention as successful therapies in
their treatment. Acupuncture is specifically noted for its use in pain
relief, regulating the immune system, managing symptoms and improving
quality of life.
What Causes Autoimmune Disease?
Under normal conditions, an immune response cannot be triggered against the
cells of one's own body. In certain cases, however, immune cells make a
mistake and attack the very cells that they are meant to protect. This can
lead to a variety of autoimmune diseases. They encompass a broad category
of over 100 diseases in which the person's immune system attacks his or her
own tissue.
The exact mechanisms causing these changes are not completely understood,
but bacteria, viruses, toxins, and some drugs may play a role in triggering
an autoimmune process in someone who already has a genetic (inherited)
predisposition to develop such a disorder. It is theorized that the
inflammation initiated by these agents, toxic or infectious, somehow
provokes in the body a "sensitization" (autoimmune reaction) in
the involved tissues.
As the disease develops vague symptoms start to appear, such as joint and
muscle pain, general muscle weakness, possible rashes or low-grade fever,
trouble concentrating, or weight loss. The following symptoms may point
toward something being wrong: numbness and tingling in hands and feet, dry
eyes, hair loss, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or repeated
miscarriages can also be caused by an autoimmune response.
How Acupuncture Treats Autoimmune Disorders
According to Oriental medicine, autoimmune disorders occur when there is
imbalance within the body. Imbalance can come from an excess or deficiency
of yin and yang that disrupts the flow of qi, or vital energy, through the
body. Acupuncture is used to help the body restore balance, treating the
root of the disorder, while specifically addressing the symptoms that are
unique to each individual.
Clinical research has shown that acupuncture causes physical responses in
nerve cells, the pituitary gland, and parts of the brain. These responses
can cause the body to release proteins, hormones, and brain chemicals that
control a number of body functions. It is proposed that, by these actions,
acupuncture affects blood pressure, body temperature and the immune system.
In addition to acupuncture, your treatment program to manage your
autoimmune disorder may involve a combination of therapies including stress
reducing exercises, moderate physical activity, herbal medicine,
nutritional support and bodywork.
To learn more about how acupuncture can safely and effectively be
incorporated into care for people with an autoimmune disorder, please call
for a consultation today.
Acupuncture Effective for Crohn's Disease
In a study
published in the journal, Digestion, acupuncture was found effective
for treating Crohn's disease.
Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disease which involves chronic
inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The main symptoms of Crohn's
disease are abdominal pain, fever, fatigue and persistent, watery diarrhea.
Symptoms range from mild to severe, and can come and go with periods of
flare-ups.
In this German study, 51 patients with mild to moderately active Crohn's
disease had a decrease in disease activity after receiving 10 sessions of
acupuncture. Study members also showed an improvement in general well-being
and reported an improvement in quality of life.
Source: Joos S, Brinkhaus B, Maluche C, Maupai N, Kohnen R, Kraehmer
N, Hahn EG, Schuppan D. Acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of
active Crohn's disease: a randomized controlled study. Digestion.
2004;69(3):131-9.
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In This Issue
·
Treating
Autoimmune Disease with Acupuncture
·
Acupuncture
Effective for Crohn's Disease
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6 Food Tips
for Autoimmune Disorders
6 Food Tips for Autoimmune Disorders
A class of plant
chemicals known as bioflavinoids has been found to dramatically reduce
inflammation and improve symptoms associated with autoimmune disorders.
Tea: Both green and black tea contain the flavenoids, catechins and
theaflavins, which are beneficial in autoimmune disease.
Apples: Apples, contain the flavanoid, quercetin that can reduce
allergic reactions and decrease inflammation. Quercetin occurs naturally in
certain foods, such as apples (with the skin on), berries, red grapes, red
onions, capers, and black tea.
Carrots: Carotenoids are a family of plant pigments that include
beta-carotene. A lack of carotenoids in the diet is thought to promote
inflammation. Good sources of carotenoids include apricots, carrots,
pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, kale, butternut squash, and collard greens.
Ginger: Recent studies show that ginger reduces inflammation by
inhibiting prostaglandin and suppresses the immune system's production of
pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, reducing disease severity in
patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Omega-3: Omega-3 essential fatty acids can counter the formation of
chemicals that cause inflammation. Good natural sources include flaxseed
oil and salmon.
Fiber: A healthy and active colon can decrease food sensitivity,
which, in turn, can lighten the burden on your immune system. For maximum
autoimmune health, increase the fiber in your diet.
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