What are autoimmune diseases?

Autoimmune diseases result from dysfunction in your immune system. This system is responsible for protecting you from viral and bacterial infections and a variety of diseases. When germs enter your body, your immune system attacks them to prevent illness.

When you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells instead of harmful germs. The attack can lead to a range of symptoms that affect your long-term health.

Types of autoimmune diseases that Hackensack Family Acupuncture & Wellness can treat include:

• Lupus
• Psoriasis
• Type 1 diabetes
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

The providers specialize in holistic treatments like acupuncture to restore balance in your body and prevent flare-ups of autoimmune disease symptoms.

What are the symptoms of an autoimmune disease?

Your immune system’s attack on healthy tissues and organs can lead to a variety of symptoms that range from mild to severe. Symptoms vary based on the type of autoimmune disease you have and which part of your body is under attack.

Autoimmune diseases can cause:

• Muscle aches
• Joint pain
• Dry skin and rashes
• Gastrointestinal upset
• Memory problems
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Irregular heart rate

You should meet with a Hackensack Family Acupuncture & Wellness provider if you have symptoms of an autoimmune disease that you can’t manage with other treatments. You might also benefit from the available therapies if you’re looking for a more holistic approach to addressing immune system dysfunction.

How does acupuncture treat autoimmune disease?

The Hackensack Family Acupuncture & Wellness providers use acupuncture and other techniques to address symptoms of autoimmune disease and how they show up for you.

The goal of treatment is to use holistic therapies to address the root cause of immune system dysfunction. For instance, gentle acupuncture can restore the flow of life energy in your body, improve blood circulation, and stimulate your natural healing responses.

Your provider may also offer other autoimmune treatments, including:

• Natural herbal medicine
• Targeted nutritional supplements
• Mind and body techniques
• Lifestyle and diet changes

You might also be a candidate for phototherapy, a treatment that uses light energy to reduce chronic inflammation and supports the repair of damaged cells. Phototherapy may reduce inflammation in your joints to alleviate pain. The same treatment may also effectively destroy excess skin cell growth in the treatment of psoriasis.

Call Hackensack Family Acupuncture & Wellness to schedule an autoimmune consultation, or book an appointment online today.