Decreasing Inflammation and Regulating the Immune System
For those living with autoimmune conditions, managing symptoms can feel like an ongoing puzzle and increasingly, acupuncture is becoming a trusted piece of that solution. Autoimmune diseases happen when your body’s defense system mistakenly turns against you, causing inflammation and harming your healthy cells and organs. Research suggests acupuncture may help modulate this immune dysfunction through several pathways.
Acupuncture helps your body produce more of the chemicals that fight inflammation while lowering the ones that cause it. Research shows that after several acupuncture treatments, the levels of substances in your blood that signal inflammation actually go down! This could help calm down the overactive immune system seen in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis.
Acupuncuncture treatment stimulates an important nerve called the vagus nerve. This nerve helps control your body’s “rest and repair” system and plays a big part in regulating inflammation. By activating this pathway, acupuncture works to bring your immune system back into better balance!
Decreasing Pain and Discomfort
Pain management represents one of the most supported benefits of acupuncture. For those who have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, this can be particularly life changing.
Acupuncture treatment triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, providing relief that can last beyond the treatment session itself. Treatment also improves circulation to affected areas, which can reduce muscle tension and joint stiffness.
Managing Stress and Supporting Overall Wellness
The relationship between stress and autoimmune flares is well-established. Chronic stress can trigger or worsen symptoms, creating a challenging cycle for individuals.
Acupuncture offers significant benefits for stress reduction, including:
● Lowering cortisol levels
● Activates the “rest and digest” nervous system, promoting deep relaxation and countering the stress response
● Improve quality of sleep
Many patients report improved sleep quality following acupuncture treatments, a crucial factor in immune system regulation and overall health. Better sleep can help break the cycle of pain, stress, and inflammation.
A Holistic Approach
For those considering acupuncture as a support for managing autoimmune conditions, consider acupuncture! Acupuncture provides a personalized treatment approach that addresses your specific symptoms and needs. You are more than a diagnosis, and we are here to treat all of you.
At the Acupuncture Center of Grand Rapids, we offer compassionate care and hope for those navigating these chronic complex conditions.