In Australia autoimmune disease affects many in our population and is more common than cancer or heart disease.
An autoimmune disease occurs when a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks their own body. Normally, our immune system produces a range of cells and chemicals that fight infection, such as bacteria and viruses, however, in autoimmune disease these defence cells attack the body’s own cells, joints, and organs. There are many different types of autoimmune diseases that range in severity from mild to disabling, depending on which system of the body is affected.
Common symptoms of autoimmune disorder includes fatigue, a general feeling of being unwell, joint pain, dizziness, and a rash or low grade fever. Blood tests for diagnosis include autoantibody tests as well as tests for inflammation such as CRP and ESR.
There is evidence that supports the effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in the relief of autoimmune symptoms. Importantly, there has been numerous research studies giving further promising support to the role of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of the following:
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- Type II Diabetes
- Graves Disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Psoriasis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Hashimoto Disease
- Lupus
- Celiac
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)