Autoimmune Disorders from a Perspective of TCM
As an acupuncturist, herbalist, and naturopath, I treat autoimmune disorders using Traditional Chinese Medicine. These conditions are understood as a weakness in Wei Qi, the defensive Qi. While the diseases can vary greatly in their symptoms, they share a common feature: the body attacks its own system, and the immune response leads to the actual disease.
If you wish to read more on this topic, you can find a study on acupuncture for immunomodulation in Autonomic Neuroscience here.
Graves' disease - Hyperthyroidism
Graves‘ disease is an autoimmune disorder that leads to hyperthyroidism. The condition may be accompanied by symptoms such as weight loss, nervousness, and palpitations. Additionally, eye issues and a goiter may occur. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hyperthyroidism is treated as a weakness in Kidney Yin. This is often accompanied by a deficiency in the Heart or Liver Meridian and patterns of excess or heat.
Hashimoto thyreoiditis
Autoimmune thyroiditis, or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland. In this condition, the body’s own immune cells attack the thyroid, impairing its function. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this condition corresponds to a weakness in the Kidney and Spleen Meridians, which leads to the accumulation of moisture and mucus.
Lupus erythematosus
Lupus erythematosus is a rare autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body itself, causing symptoms such as skin rashes, sun sensitivity, swollen joints, fatigue, and recurrent fever. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the underlying pattern for autoimmune diseases is a deficiency of Kidney Qi and Kidney Essence. Additionally, lupus erythematosus is associated with Heat and Mucus in TCM.
Scleroderma
Scleroderma is a rare form of inflammatory rheumatism classified among collagen diseases. In this condition, connective tissue cells become overactive, continuously producing collagen fibers that cause the tissue to stick together, thicken, and harden, leading to fibrosis. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), scleroderma is understood as an invasion of Wind-Cold or Dampness, combined with a deficiency of Qi and Blood. Cold and Dampness obstruct the function of the skin and tendons, while obstruction of the free flow of Qi leads to deterioration of the condition and depletion of Yang and Qi, primarily affecting the Spleen and Kidney Meridians.
Celiac disease
Celiac disease is an intolerance of the small intestine to gluten, which can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, abdominal pain, bloating, discomfort or nausea, persistent diarrhea, greasy stools or constipation, loss of appetite, or weight loss. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this condition is understood as a deficiency of Spleen Qi or Spleen Yang.
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