Acupuncture For
Chronic Infectious Diseases

Acupuncture, an ancient practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is a complementary & alternative medicine used for managing chronic infectious diseases, including Lyme disease (and its coinfections), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation, post-viral syndromes (such as long COVID),  and more.

Kara Morton, L.Ac. has many years of experience treating autoimmune conditions, helping many patients lead better lives! From the Classical Chinese medicine perspective, all chronic infectious diseases can be treated with the divergent channels. The divergents, a separate system that are offshoots of the regular meridians / channels, create a pathway that diverts infections / inflammation away from the organs and puts it in the joints temporarily, but often then gets stuck there. The body works to build resources such as qi (life force energy), blood and fluids in order to hopefully expel the infectious diseases and inflammation out at a later date, but can have a hard time doing so. Acupuncture supports this process of expelling chronic infectious diseases from the divergents to help the body heal from these conditions.

Acupuncture’s Benefits for Chronic Infectious Diseases

Symptom Relief: Chronic infectious diseases often present with lasting, chronic pain as well as fatigue and nervous system issues. Acupuncture stimulates the release of the body’s natural endorphins and resets pain pathways, giving relief without the common side effects from medications.

Inflammation Control: Many chronic infections, such as EBV, Lyme disease or long COVID trigger systemic inflammation. Research indicates that acupuncture can regulate the immune system, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting a balanced immune response to help alleviate symptoms and return the body to greater balance / homeostasis.

Improved Circulation and Detoxification: Acupuncture enhances blood flow and lymphatic drainage, aiding in toxin elimination and promoting tissue healing in areas affected by infections or inflammation, helping the body to heal itself.

Management of Stress and Fatigue: Chronic diseases often lead to anxiety, depression, and debilitating fatigue. Acupuncture activates the parasympathetic nervous system, improving relaxation, sleep quality, and energy levels. There are many emotionally focused acupuncture treatments that greatly help, as well as strategies to boost overall energy levels.

Immune System Modulation: Acupuncture has been shown to stimulate specific points that influence immune function, enhancing the body’s ability to manage chronic infections and recover from post-viral syndromes.

Research and Evidence

• Emerging research highlights acupuncture’s role in managing chronic infectious diseases. A 2021 review in Frontiers in Neurology demonstrated that acupuncture alleviates neurological symptoms linked to Lyme disease.
• Studies in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine show its effectiveness in reducing fatigue and musculoskeletal pain in conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, long COVID, and EBV-related chronic illness. For EBV, acupuncture may help manage symptoms such as extreme fatigue, brain fog, and immune dysregulation, which are commonly associated with viral reactivation.