Acupuncture For
Autoimmune Diseases

Acupuncture has been more prevalent as a complimentary treatment in autoimmune conditions because of its ability to help manage symptoms. Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, fibromyalgia, lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS), Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Celiac Disease / Gluten intolerance and inflammatory bowel diseases, arise when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, leading to a chronic inflammatory state that contributes to a wide range of symptoms.

Kara Morton, L.Ac. has extensive experience in treating autoimmune conditions, helping many patients to improve their lives! From the Classical Chinese medicine perspective, all autoimmune diseases can be treated with energetic systems called the divergent channels. The divergents, a separate system that connects to the regular meridians / channels, create a pathway that diverts pathology / inflammation away from the organs and puts it in the joints temporarily. The body then has time to build resources such as qi (life force energy), blood and fluids in order to expel the inflammation out at a later date. Acupuncture expedites the process to help heal from these conditions.

Acupuncture’s Benefit for Autoimmune Conditions

Research has shown that acupuncture helps the immune system return to homeostasis, lessens inflammation, and alleviates various symptoms that are prevalent in autoimmune disorders. It works by triggering the release of endorphins and neurotransmitters, as well as reducing cytokines that help the body’s ability to heal itself and harmonizing immune responses. Key benefits include:

Pain Relief: Chronic pain is, unfortunately, so common in many autoimmune diseases. Studies have shown that acupuncture can effectively reduce pain by modulating pain pathways and increasing the production of natural painkillers like endorphins and substance P.

Reduced Inflammation: Acupuncture has been found to lower levels of pro-inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which are elevated in many autoimmune conditions.

Stress Reduction: Stress can exacerbate autoimmune conditions. Acupuncture promotes relaxation and reduces stress by regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and decreasing cortisol levels.

Improved Quality of Life: By alleviating symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and digestive issues, acupuncture enhances overall well-being and the ability to happily perform activities of daily living.

Research on Acupuncture and Autoimmune Conditions

A growing body of research supports acupuncture’s efficacy in managing autoimmune diseases:

• A 2020 review in Frontiers in Immunology highlighted acupuncture’s ability to modulate immune responses, particularly by balancing T-cell activity and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines.
• Clinical trials on RA patients have shown that acupuncture can significantly reduce pain, improve joint mobility and lessen swelling.
• For MS, acupuncture has been associated with reduced fatigue and improved neurological functioning, which is essential for returning to a more normal daily life.