How can Acupuncture help with your autoimmune disease?

Acupuncture and Autoimmune disease

According to scientists at the National Institutes of Health and their collaborators, autoimmune diseases represent the third most common category of illness in the US affecting roughly 41 million people. When a person is diagnosed with an autoimmune disease it means their body's immune system is diverging from a normal response of recognizing self and non-self antigens (toxin or foreign substance) causing inflammation and imbalances in your body. Autoimmune diseases include things like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, IBS, and Parkinson’s disease.

How can acupuncture help?

Acupuncture is effective at calming the body's immune system, increasing blood flow, nourishing your liver and reversing the body's sensitivity to environmental toxins. Clinical research has shown that acupuncture triggers 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. Furthermore acupuncture decreases inflammation and creates deep relaxation in the process which accelerates cellular rejuvenation.

In addition to acupuncture, your treatment program will involve a combination of therapies including stress reducing exercises, moderate physical activity, and nutritional support. It is common to experience stress and pain associated with an autoimmune disease. Calming the mind and moving stagnation is essential for pain relief.

During your visit we will take a thorough look at your diet and eating habits. Your cells are the building blocks for your body and are fed by what you choose to eat. Choose your food with intention and your cells will respond accordingly. Strong and healthy cells make for a strong and healthy body. Eating high-fat, high sugar, and highly processed foods is linked to inflammation in the body which can trigger an immune response.

A few things you can do today to start your journey towards healing your autoimmune disease:

1. Drink lemon water first thing in the morning. It supports your liver after a long night of detoxing and helps flush out all of the unwanted matter.

2. Eliminate high trigger foods like dairy, corn, wheat, sugar and eggs. If you are a carnivore, eat meat only a few (2) times a week and limit it to lean organic meat, like wheat meat.

3. Get outside and move your body. Every. Single. Day.

4. Eat more fruits and vegetables. I know you hear this alot but seriously, not only is it nutritionally good for you but it is easy on your stomach and liver.

5. If you have an autoimmune disease the saying goes; happy liver, happy body.

6. Find some support. Get acupuncture. We, here at the clinic, have your back. We want you to heal and be free of inflammation.

Acupuncture will not only stabilize the progression of the autoimmune disease but we aim to address the root cause of your disease. If you are dealing with an autoimmune disease, consider giving acupuncture a chance.

Katie Dittmann is a licensed acupuncturist in Boulder, Colorado specializing in autoimmune disease. She loves sharing her passion for natural approaches to health and wellness through her online articles and at her clinic, Katie Dittmann Acupuncture, at 3080 Valmont Rd. Call for an appointment at 720-470-3908.