Lyme Disease Acupuncture Case Study

This Lyme disease acupuncture case study involves a 32-year-old woman recently diagnosed with Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Acupuncture helped her recovery, which took four months and played an essential role in supporting her healing process.

The Problem

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Lyme disease “is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States.” It goes on to state that Lyme disease results from a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi and transmits to humans via tick bite. Common symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and circular skin rash.

If caught and treated early with antibiotics, the infection resolves. However, if untreated, Lyme can result in damage to the joints, heart, and nervous system. A diagnosis of Lyme disease is made based on symptoms, signs of the telltale rash, and validated laboratory testing.

Lyme Disease Acupuncture Case Study

Our patient received proper diagnosis by her primary physician, who performed a two-step laboratory testing process. The CDC currently recommends this two-step process for Lyme disease. If this first step is negative, no further testing is needed. But it was positive. The second step was also positive. Based on this result, and the other confirming symptoms, our patient was diagnosed with Lyme disease and prescribed antibiotics.

Her symptoms at the time of diagnosis were severe. She presented with extreme fatigue, debilitating anxiety (fear, panic attacks), the inability to think clearly (poor concentration, foggy brain, confusion), insomnia, and depression. These symptoms had developed “out of the blue,” with no prior history.

Acupuncture’s Role In Treatment

The course of antibiotics would last for months and would not significantly reduce her symptoms until near the end of her treatment. Her doctor encouraged her to get acupuncture specifically to help address her symptoms while her body was fighting off the deep-rooted bacterial infection.

Lyme disease, and the accompanying Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, had completely sidelined her life. She was unable to work, could not be left alone for long periods (due to the debilitating anxiety and fear), and could barely get out of bed from severe fatigue. Her acupuncture sessions focused on restoring balance to her body, a balance that had been entirely disrupted by the infection wracking her body.

From her first acupuncture session, she began feeling relief. Progress was gradual but constant. When she first arrived at our clinic, her life was, in her words, “a living nightmare.” After just three treatments, she was feeling more like herself and was able to function better.

Acupuncture Points Used

Practitioners determine a patient’s Chinese medicine diagnosis based on presenting symptoms and an assessment of their tongue and pulse. Tongue and pulse diagnosis are critical in making accurate and effective determinations about the root cause of health issues. Acupuncture treatment (point selection) restores the balance that had been disrupted by the disease.

For example, we determined our patient’s anxiety rooted in Heart Qi and Blood deficiency. Based on this assessment, we selected acupuncture points to restore Heart Qi and Blood (including PC6, HT7, BL15, and CV14). Her fatigue was due to Spleen Qi deficiency (points included ST36, SP3, CV 12, and BL20). Through this method, acupuncture methodically brought her body back into balance, resulting in fewer symptoms and better quality of life.

Western Medicine Teams Up With Acupuncture

At Raleigh Acupuncture, we often team up with Western medical doctors to provide better outcomes for patients. In this Lyme disease acupuncture case study, acupuncture eased our patient’s severe symptoms while she underwent long-term antibiotic treatment to wipe out the Lyme and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Another area we team up with Western doctors is with IUI and IVF (infertility treatments). Women unable to get pregnant on their own find great results with this branch of Western medicine. Research has shown that acupuncture dramatically increases the chances of success with both of these procedures.

Victory Over Lyme Disease

Our patient got through her four-month treatment protocol of antibiotics with the assistance of acupuncture. Her symptoms continued to ease, and her quality of life restored. The antibiotics effectively wiped out bacterial infections, and she had a full recovery. A year later, she is still healthy and disease-free.

Next Steps

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WATCH VIDEO ABOUT OUR LYME DISEASE TREATMENT.

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Raleigh Acupuncture Eases Lyme Symptoms

If you are struggling with acute or chronic Lyme disease, come in and try acupuncture. Our treatments will relieve your symptoms, reduce pain and fatigue, ease anxiety and depression, and improve your quality of life. Acupuncture is safe, natural, and provides long-lasting relief.