Why acupuncture for autoimmune disease

Autoimmune diseases largely affect women, did you know that? (want to learn more about that, read this blog post first!).

There are some large factors that make autoimmune disease difficult to study and they are worth mentioning. First off, the number of autoimmune diseases that exist is very large. That makes categorizing them, identifying them, and fundamentally understanding them also very tricky! Second, a single autoimmune disease can present with a variety of symptoms in each individual person and they don’t always match other presentations. This can be confusing for patient and doctor alike. Science relies on consistency and repeatable data. When you don’t fit the mold exactly, it can be hard to understand.

But, this is where acupuncture can be beneficial and can really shine! Acupuncture has been shown to support the immune system and ease various symptoms associated with a variety of autoimmune diseases. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine techniques are also incredibly personalized. There are no boxes to fit in here. Which means that regardless if you match the official diagnosis of a certain autoimmune disease, it can support you and your personalized experiences! Acupuncture and chinese medicine are personalized and individualized medicine, no two treatments are the same because no two people are the same.

I have also been finding that to support someone in their healing journey particularly with autoimmune disease, it often takes a community. Acupuncturists working in conjunction with other practitioners, such as medical doctors, therapists, naturopaths, or even massage therapists could be extremely beneficial for patients as well as incredibly supportive. This is the place where we need to drop our internal and implicit biases and listen to the experiences of our patients without judgement and without downgrading what they have gone through. This is the place that I will be working on improving myself and urge others in the healing community to do the same. Everyone deserves to be heard, especially in regards to their own health.

One of the most common sentiments that I hear as an acupuncturist is “my body has betrayed me.” I totally understand that sentiment. When our health and body are out of alignment, it is overwhelming and often confusing.

This blog post is a part of my exploration into autoimmune disease as an acupuncturist, how implicit and explicit biases play a role in autoimmune disorders, the emotional implications of having an autoimmune condition, and how acupuncture can offer space and support, and how I can do better as a practitioner.

I also explore Hashimoto’s disease (another common autoimmune disorder) in this blog post in relation to fertility. I would recommend reading it to fully grasp how much autoimmune disorders can impact our ENTIRE body.

Have an autoimmune disorder and need support? Book an appointment with me by clicking here.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended for the purpose of providing medical advice. All information, content and material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment.