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
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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