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Integrative Therapies for Autoimmune Disease at Aspire
Integrative medicine is often used to complement the effects of conventional treatments for those with autoimmune disorders. If you’re looking for new ways to manage your condition, our experts can help explore your treatment options. Keep reading to learn more about the types of autoimmune disorders we treat and the therapies used below.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune condition that can cause chronic, widespread inflammation and pain throughout the body. Symptoms include pain in multiple locations, fatigue, muscle and joint stiffness, trouble sleeping, problems concentrating and more. Often, fibromyalgia is described as a burning, throbbing or aching feeling in affected areas. Experts are unsure what causes it, but the condition tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic component.
At Aspire, we use a number of integrative therapies to treat the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Some of our methods include acupuncture, bioidentical hormone replacement (BHRT) and low-dose naltrexone to reduce inflammation and pain. Low-dose naltrexone has emerged as a popular off-label autoimmune treatment as research shows that it is effective for fibromyalgia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, skin conditions, multiple sclerosis and more.
We can also perform a number of tests to identify factors that may be aggravating the immune system and worsening your symptoms. GI-map testing can look at your gut health and determine if harmful bacteria or pathogens are a concern, while micronutrient and hormone testing can look for imbalances or deficiencies that are affecting your health.
- Acupuncture
- Low-dose naltrexone
- BHRT
- GI-MAP test
- DUTCH test
- Micronutrient testing
- Custom herbal remedies
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that many are familiar with. It impacts more than 1.3 million adults in the United States, causing painful inflammation, swelling and stiffness in affected areas. As the immune system attacks the tissues that act as “shock absorbers” in the joints, it can eventually lead to bone erosion and spread to other areas of the body. Most commonly, damage occurs in the hands, feet, shoulders, wrists and ankles.
Acupuncture has been shown to be an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis to improve pain, inflammation and swelling. In some people, BHRT may be used to achieve similar results. Low-dose naltrexone also shows promise for autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and can help reduce the amount of NSAIDs or other over-the-counter medications that are often used to manage symptoms.
Like other autoimmune diseases, testing factors such as gut health, hormonal balance and micronutrient levels can have a positive treatment impact by identifying underlying triggers to help you get to the bottom of your rheumatoid arthritis.
- Acupuncture
- Low-dose naltrexone
- BHRT
- GI-MAP test
- DUTCH test
- Micronutrient testing
- Custom herbal remedies
Lupus
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that results in the immune system attacking the body’s own tissues. It can affect multiple different systems and organs, such as the skin, heart, lungs, brain or blood cells. Symptoms include a distinctive butterfly rash, fatigue, fever, joint pain, skin lesions, dry mouth, chest pain and more. The signs of lupus are often mistaken for other diseases and may come and go, making it notoriously difficult to diagnose.
Acupuncture can reduce the pain, inflammation and fatigue associated with lupus and fits well into conventional treatment plans. Low-dose naltrexone is also effective. Some research has found that hormone therapy can relieve mild to moderate symptoms of lupus, but this should be used with caution in women as it may trigger a disease flare.
New studies have offered interesting insights on a connection between lupus and gut health, while others have found that certain hormonal imbalances and vitamin deficiencies are common in people diagnosed with the condition. Our experts may recommend further testing to rule out underlying causes and identify ways to reduce disease flares.
- Acupuncture
- Low-dose naltrexone
- BHRT
- GI-MAP test
- DUTCH test
- Micronutrient testing
- Custom herbal remedies
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
This rare autoimmune condition occurs when the body begins to attack its own nerve cells. Often, the first noticeable symptoms are weakness and tingling in the feet and legs that quickly spread upwards, affecting other areas. As the condition progresses, muscle weakness can result in paralysis. Most people recover from Guillain-Barre syndrome, but in extreme cases, it can cause permanent nerve damage.
Most treatments for Guillain-Barré syndrome are aimed at reducing its severity and duration. Acupuncture is a valuable tool that can help improve muscle strength in patients and decrease the symptoms of nerve pain. Low-dose naltrexone has also gained clinical interest as an off-label treatment that is thought to work by regulating the immune system.
Guillain-Barre syndrome may be triggered by a bacteria or viral infection in the digestive tract. GI-map testing can help determine if any harmful pathogens are still present in the gut. Some severe nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of thiamine, can also mimic the symptoms of Guillain-Barre, so micronutrient testing can rule this out as a potential cause. It can also identify any other deficiencies that may impede the recovery process.
- Acupuncture
- Low-dose naltrexone
- GI-MAP test
- DUTCH test
- Micronutrient testing
- Custom herbal remedies
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the immune system attacks healthy nerve cells and damages the protective sheath that surrounds them, disrupting their ability to communicate with the rest of the body. The symptoms of MS can vary widely depending on which nerves are affected and the amount of damage that occurs. However, common signs include limb numbness or weakness, tremors, pain, muscle spasms, vision problems and trouble thinking. MS can be progressive, but it often comprises clearly defined attacks (relapses) in which new or worsening symptoms appear.
Treatment of MS involves slowing disease progression and reducing the frequency of relapses. Studies show that integrative therapies such as acupuncture can be used alongside conventional approaches to provide relief from symptoms like fatigue, pain, muscle spasms, bladder problems and more. Low-dose naltrexone is also used off-label to improve the quality of life of patients with MS, with research supporting its safety and effectiveness as an alternative treatment.
Additionally, taking a closer look at underlying factors such as nutrition, gut health and hormonal balance can determine if any dietary or lifestyle changes can improve symptom management. Aspire offers extensive testing to help guide treatment and ensure an integrative approach that aims to enhance the overall well-being of those with MS.
- Acupuncture
- Low-dose naltrexone
- GI-MAP test
- DUTCH test
- Micronutrient testing
- Custom herbal remedies
Vasculitis
Vasculitis is inflammation of the blood vessels. This condition occurs when the body mistakenly sees the blood vessels are foreign invaders and begins to attack them. As a result, it can cause the walls of affected blood vessels to thicken and interfere with proper blood flow by reducing the width of the passageway. In extreme cases, severely restricted blood flow may lead to tissue damage, organ failure or death. The symptoms of vasculitis are often non-specific and vary depending on which area of the body is affected, but may include fever, weight loss, fatigue, shortness of breath, skin changes, GI problems and more.
The main goal of vasculitis treatment is to get the inflammation under control. Often, corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, but integrative therapies like acupuncture work well in conjunction with these techniques. Low-dose naltrexone has also been shown to be effective for autoimmune disorders and more clinical studies are underway to demonstrate how it can improve the quality of life of patients with vasculitis.
Some researchers have found that hormone replacement therapy may help reduce carotid artery wall thickness and vascular inflammation. For the right patient, this could also be an avenue to explore in managing the symptoms of vasculitis. Our experts may also recommend a GI-map test, micronutrient analysis or hormonal check to guide your treatment.
- Acupuncture
- Low-dose naltrexone
- GI-MAP test
- DUTCH test
- Micronutrient testing
- Custom herbal remedies
Ready to Learn More?
If you want to learn more about integrative medicine and how it can help you manage the symptoms of autoimmune disease, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our experts will guide you through your treatment options and recommend the best strategies for meeting your goals. Contact or call our office in San Diego today at 866-486-2292 to book your appointment.