Autoimmune Conditions
Autoimmune conditions arise when a person’s immune system mistakenly sees itself as something to attack, leading to a host of problems. In some cases a diagnosis is given simply because nothing else fits the condition. Conventional treatment includes drugs for symptom relief, along with strong immunosuppressive medications focused on turning off the malfunctioning immune system. On the other hand, Chinese medicine is designed to balance immune function without compromising other bodily systems so that the immune system works to keep invaders out of the body and also recognizes the body is not to be attacked anymore. The use of acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutritional therapy, and our detoxification protocol have allowed the doctors at the Tao of Wellness the opportunity to help many people improve or reverse their autoimmune conditions.
How We Successfully Treat Autoimmune Conditions
Autoimmunity becomes the norm for many people for many different reasons. Diagnoses include fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, cancer, arthritis, skin conditions, chronic fatigue, diabetes, and many others. One way to look at the body’s immune system when it starts to overact is the relatively new science of epigenetics. Epigenetics offer a way of looking at immune function as a combined result of what was given to us by our parents — genetics — and what in our environment and lifestyle may trigger those predispositions into disease states. In the case of type 1 diabetes, risk factors are inherited from the parents and it becomes a problem very early in life. But with other autoimmune conditions, there are factors outside of genetics alone that serve to initiate the disease, such as stress, poor nutrition, immobility, the environment, infection, and toxic exposure.
Even with this growing understanding of how the immune system can malfunction, current conventional treatments are limited. They often include strong drugs that suppress the immune system like methotrexate, plaquenel, mercaptopurine (6-MP), cyclophosphamide (cytoxan), and azathioprine (AZA). It would make sense to turn off the part of you that isn’t working correctly but this can have drastic effects as the immune system is still needed to perform its many functions. This is exactly why these drugs come with equally strong, body-weakening side effects including anemia, infection, hair loss, slow wound healing, ulcers, organ failure, and cancer.
Many patients have found Tao of Wellness after struggling with the decision to begin conventional treatment or after already suffering side effects upon having their immune systems medically suppressed. Regardless of the decision you make or the state you are in, Tao of Wellness is an integrative clinic that’s here to work with you and the rest of your medical team. You’ll start by meeting with a doctor and having a comprehensive consultation, listing your symptoms, as well as discussing the history of your condition and your life. You’ll then be given a unique treatment plan that will likely start with acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and nutritional therapy. Each of your questions will be answered before your treatment begins.
Our Customized Therapies for Overcoming Autoimmune Conditions
Acupuncture
The ancient medical practice of acupuncture has been found to modulate immune function within the human body and restore homeostasis. If an immune system has been hyperactive, as in the case of autoimmunity, acupuncture will down-regulate it to normal. But if the immunity is low, as in a weakened or suppressed immune system, it will up-regulate it to normal. The systematic use of various points around the body allows our acupuncturists to address the immune system as a whole, in addition to relieving symptoms that can arise in most any other system of the body. With successive treatments your body should get closer and closer to a point of normal function again. Learn more about acupuncture.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbs are categorized according to their function within the body. Some cool the body, others increase metabolic activity, and another group thins the blood. There are a couple dozen different categories of herbs that are selectively combined to create an herbal formula specific for your condition. For example, in the case interstitial cystitis there isn’t a singular interstitial cystitis herbal formula. Instead, each patient is given a customized formula addressing their unique symptom pattern. In this disorder, there is often frequent, painful urination. Tao of Wellness doctors may choose from herbal combinations that do several things at once, such as reduce swelling in the urinary bladder, reduce urinary urgency, and lower inflammation in the entire lower body. After a consultation and discussion of your history, a custom herbal formulation is designed to treat both your symptoms and your underlying condition. Learn more about Chinese herbal medicine.
Nutritional Therapy
Nutritional Consultations
A consultation about your eating habits will inform you and your doctor about what may be creating or contributing to your condition. Unfortunately, our food supply is often to blame for many autoimmune conditions. Reducing inflammatory agents like processed foods, gluten or sugar has helped many of our eczema, arthritis, diabetes and fibromyalgia patients. After a consultation, an eating plan is created for you from the ground up. Meals, beverages, and snacks will be planned throughout your day and made easy for you to prepare.
Nutritional Supplements
There are many supplements that we recommend to combat many autoimmune disorders. Omega fatty acids found abundantly in fish oil, hemp and flax seeds are often recommended for their anti-inflammation properties as are enzymes like papain and bromelain in addition to their ability to enhance circulation. We offer Natural Carnitine, an amino acid, as support for muscle mass and energy for many different issues, including multiple sclerosis. Learn more about Nutritional Therapy.
Detoxification Protocol
Our proprietary protocol has many uses and its healing effects on the body are often profound for patients with autoimmune disorders. Our detox protocol consists of a course of acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutritional therapy, tuina bodywork, mind body exercise, far-infrared heat therapy, and infinichi energy healing. For cancer patients, we recommend this protocol after their chemotherapy regimen is complete to rid their body of the residual toxicity. For arthritis, fibromyalgia, diabetes and other inflammatory conditions, this protocol is useful in carrying out from the body any inflammatory waste products accumulated in the tissues, joints, and organs. Without these substances in the body, the immune system has an easier time doing its primary job of keeping the body disease free. Learn more about the Detoxification Protocol.
Autoimmune Patient Success Stories
“I am the husband of Stacy K, who’s been a patient of Tao of Wellness for a year and a half. Stacy was going to write this but I wanted to because I was the original disbeliever. Prior to starting with Tao of Wellness Stacie went to numerous gastroenterologists and spent many weeks in hospitals over the years to try to control her ulcerative colitis. Many medicines and treatments were prescribed and none of them worked. The side effects were terrible. Our lives were taken over by Stacy’s condition. We couldn’t travel far because we didn’t know when her next flare-up was going to start. Her diet was so restrictive that it was no fun to go to restaurants. Her pain was so severe that it affected every part of her life. Prior to her treatment, acupuncture was something I didn’t believe in. Chinese herbs were a mystery to me and I didn’t have much faith in them. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to have been 100% wrong. We now have our lives back and it’s wonderful. The acupuncture and herbs are accomplishing what the best medical doctors couldn’t. I now am the biggest proponent of acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Without hesitation, I recommend Tao of Wellness. Thank you for giving me my life and my wife back.”
“A year ago my primary care physician referred me to Tao of Wellness as a last resort to deal with a ‘rare and incurable condition,’ not words one likes to hear. It had decimated my life. I couldn’t work. I suffered from chronic pain, lack of energy and sleep deprivation from frequent urination every 30 minutes. What I have is interstitial cystitis. According to Western medicine there was little I could do. The few treatments available did nothing to alleviate my suffering. I was admittedly skeptical about acupuncture when I first came to Tao of Wellness. Western medicine offered no relief. But Tao of Wellness did. They explained what acupuncture is, how it works, and after a fairly comprehensive history of my condition, I was given a treatment plan and a timeline as to when I could expect improvement. Six weeks later, as forecast, my symptoms began to lesson. A year removed from that day, I am symptom-free for the most part. The chronic pain is gone. I run regularly and hike again, and can work again. I’m incredibly productive and optimistic, as both my head and body are in a far better place. Tao of Wellness gave me my life back and I’m eternally grateful.”
“When I was younger I had Hodgkins Lymphoma. I’ve seen oncologists, gastroenterologists, dermatologists and they’ve all helped to a degree. But at the end of the day I come back here weekly. I think the acupuncture and other treatments are providing more benefit for me. I’ve been at the Tao of Wellness for 8 years and the acupuncture, infrared sauna, and InfiniChi have helped mitigate the long-term side effects of my chemotherapy and radiation treatments. My bone pain feels reduced too. I typically choose Traditional Chinese Medicine for my healthcare. I’ve had benefit from Western health care but I feel an active complementary approach while actually taking charge of my health has been helpful for me.”
Natural Healthcare for Autoimmune Conditions
Tao of Wellness was established in 1976 as a resource to address autoimmune conditions. We strive to support you in mind and body, and invite you to make an appointment for your health and wellbeing. It would be our pleasure to serve you.