The prevalence of Lyme Disease is becoming more omnipresent in the clinics of Western medicine doctors. This disease has eluded these doctors due to its varied presenting symptoms which can emulate many different conditions causing conflicting and unreliable diagnoses.
Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi; a type of bacteria found in black-legged ticks. These ticks contract the bacteria from the host that they feed on and transmit it to humans through bites. Often found in areas like the armpit, groin, back of the knee, and nape of the neck. The ticks are more commonly found in areas in the upper East Coast and upper Midwest of the United States. The name is derived from the town of Old Lyme, Connecticut where the first cases of Lyme were reported and diagnosed. There are other strains of the bacteria-infected tick found in European countries such as the Black Forrest region in Southern Germany. And can also be found in temperate forest regions in Asia.
Black Forest Region in Southern Germany
Wearing long pants and a shirt and staying on cleared land when hiking can reduce the risk of tick bites. If bitten, usually the tick will remain attached for 36-48 hours before transmitting the bacterium. One of the precautions for prevention is to shower within two hours after returning from an outdoor activity in known infested areas and place any exposed clothing into a hot dryer to kill any pests that may be present.
The initial reaction from a tick bite is a red localized rash radiating from the site of infection. This is usually within 1-2 weeks of transmission. The rash is often warm to the touch, but rarely painful or itchy. The initial symptoms to look for are an expanding red rash radiating from the site of the bite, flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, and joint pains within the first month following the bite.
The typical Lyme bull’s eye rash is an identifier for this condition. If left untreated, the bite travels through the bloodstream and finds a home within the body’s tissues, spreading to the joints, nervous system, and other organ systems. A person may experience flu-like symptoms as the pathogen or poison travels deeper, manifesting with swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, chills, heart palpitations, fever, and fatigue.
The longer the bacterium resides in the body, the more symptoms that may arise, including neurological abnormalities, myocardial (heart) abnormalities, arthritic joints, numbness & tingling of the extremities, facial paralysis, and/or Bell’s palsy. Symptoms can emerge weeks, months, and even years after initial infection.
Deer is a common host for ticks that can transmit the bacteria associated with Lyme.
Diagnosis should be made based on symptoms and evidence of a tick bite. Blood tests often give false results when performed in the first month of initial infection, as it takes 2-6 weeks for the bacteria to show up on a blood test. The CDC recommends using the ELISA and Western-blot blood tests to determine whether you are infected. These tests are more accurate when performed at least one month after initial infection.
After a patient has had their Western medical workup and the antibiotic regime to combat the possible effects of this illness, Lyme Disease Treatment with Acupuncture can then be utilized. This can establish balance and regain health using acupuncture treatment and Chinese herbal medicine. These treatments can relieve toxicity, harmonize the body/organ function, decrease stress, improve immunity, and regulate the Qi and Blood according to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory.
Patients with Lyme can have a myriad of symptoms. According to their constitution such as Immune system irregularity, joint and muscle pain, symptoms of heat and agitation, anxiety, and stress. Lyme Disease Treatment with Acupuncture and herbal medicine applications can help ease emotional discomfort, detoxify the body, and regulate well-being.
Chinese Medicine takes a holistic approach looking at the whole body and organism. Utilizing the application of hair-thin, tiny needles to manipulate the body’s energy to enhance wellness. This approach can help to activate the body’s self-healing abilities. Acupuncture can provide immune regulation with consistent treatment supporting the body’s process of healing.
Chinese herbal medicine is a supportive process and is used over a long period if necessary. This can regulate and support the affected patients’ immune function and improve energy levels. Supportive herbs regulate the sleep cycle and reduce anxiety and stress. This can help the body recuperate the innate natural energy for disease prevention. Lyme Disease Treatment with Acupuncture and herbal medicine can be a valuable adjunct to anyone living with this disease.
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