The rates of autoimmunity have exploded worldwide. The number of known cases of autoimmunity in the United State is staggering. An autoimmune disease occurs when the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue. The most common autoimmune disorders today include hypothyroidism, celiac disease, pernicious anemia, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
The majority of people with hypothyroidism have antibodies that attack their thyroid, thus an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s. Celiac disease causes antibodies to the intestinal enzyme transglutaminase in response to dietary gluten, the protein found in wheat. Pernicious anemia is a B-12 anemia caused by antibodies against intrinsic factor, the transport protein for B-12. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are inflammatory bowel diseases that involve autoimmunity to the large intestine, and rheumatoid arthritis involves autoimmunity to joint cartilage.
Due to the complexity of treating autoimmune disorders, from our extensive experience, we found that not just treating with acupuncture and oriental medicine but integrating other innovative techniques helped to optimize our outcome. Acupuncture and oriental medicine is the foundation of all our treatment protocols. Acupuncture is noted especially for pain management, immune and hormonal regulation, addictions, digestive regulation, etc.
From the oriental medicine perspective, we counsel patients on the functional medicine necessary to treat the root cause of the disease. Innovative techniques include NAET (Nambudripad Allergy Ellimination Technique ), an extremely effective technique that can successfully desensitize allergies, as well as improve the assimilation of essential nutrients and NET (NeuroEmotional Technique ), a technique that enables a person to be free from emotions that had caused physiological changes and restrictions allowing one to move forward in life, career, health and in relationships with others. Functional Medicine approaches the body from the perspective of treating the root cause of disease.
Our next few posts will help you understand what causes autoimmune diseases, how acupuncture and the Integrated model can be used to treat autoimmune diseases, and how to enhance your endocrine system, which is essential in the prevention of autoimmune diseases and important in many other regulatory functions.
Contact ICFOM for more information on how acupuncture can help treat autoimmune disorders.
