It’s often hard to know what someone is going through, especially with the complex and sometimes invisible symptoms of autoimmune disease. Living with autoimmune disease often means navigating symptoms that aren’t always visible to others. Many people describe feeling “fine” on the outside while dealing with fatigue, pain, brain fog, or other discomforts that quietly affect their daily life. These challenges don’t only appear during flares; they can persist in the in-between periods as well.
While there is no cure for autoimmune conditions, supportive and complementary care can help manage symptoms and improve your day-to-day. At Lim Acupuncture Clinic, ongoing care between flares is important so we can focus on the whole body, calming the nervous system, and helping patients feel more resilient, not just during periods of acute symptoms. Ongoing care between flares is about supporting the body consistently, not just reacting when symptoms worsen. Below, we’ll explore how acupuncture and other supportive therapies may play a role in caring for the body between flares.
Acupuncture as Ongoing Support
Acupuncture is commonly used as supportive care for people living with autoimmune disease because it focuses on regulation with a more natural approach. It aims to support the body’s systems so they can function more harmoniously rather than working against each other. Many of our patients seek acupuncture to help manage symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, pain, digestive concerns, and inflammation.
Rather than targeting a single symptom, acupuncture works by supporting the nervous system and encouraging the body to return to a more balanced state as a whole. The calming effects of acupuncture may help bring your body out of a state of constant stress that is caused by chronic autoimmune conditions.
Research suggests acupuncture may influence communication between the nervous system, immune system, and endocrine system, which helps explain why it is often used for a wide range of symptoms. However, acupuncture is not a cure for autoimmune disease. Instead, it is used as ongoing supportive care to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life over time. Many patients find that consistent acupuncture care helps them feel more resilient, sleep better, and recover more smoothly from flare-ups.
If you’d like to read a study on acupuncture and how it impacts different immune responses and cells within the body, please click here.
To read more about how acupuncture works, please visit our blog post titled “Acupuncture 101”.
Autoimmune Conditions We Commonly Support
Autoimmune diseases vary significantly in their presentation and impact on daily life. While there is no cure for autoimmune disease, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine are often used to help manage symptoms, support regulation, and improve quality of life for people living with these conditions. At Lim Acupuncture Clinic, we care for the individual by customizing treatments to adapt to the ever-changing symptoms and flares. We commonly work with patients living with autoimmune conditions such as:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Psoriasis
- Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis)
- Sjögren’s Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
Supportive care focuses on symptom management, nervous system regulation, and overall resilience, and is always intended to complement, not replace, medical care.
Therapies to Support Your Body Between Flares
Each of these therapies can be used as a standalone treatment, but paired with acupuncture, our patients see the best results.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and involves burning dried mugwort near or on specific acupuncture points. The act of burning the moxibustion on your skin creates both visible light and infrared light. This infrared light's ability to travel deeper into your tissue improves its therapeutic results. It is often used to treat cold-deficiency conditions such as fatigue, poor circulation, and weakened immunity.
Celluma LED Light Therapy
Celluma LED Light Therapy uses low-level light that has been researched and developed by NASA for its therapeutic and healing benefits. The Celluma device uses both red and blue light to treat skin, muscle, joint, and pain conditions. Research suggests that it increases ATP production, a chemical that promotes healing in our body, and reduces inflammation. An increase in ATP production is also seen in those who received Frequency Specific Microcurrent. To read more about how and what Celluma LED Light Therapy is and how it could support your health journey, please visit our blog titled "How Celluma LED Light Therapy Gently Supports Healing".
Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM)
FSM uses low-level electrical current that penetrates your muscles and works on a cellular level to help your body repair and heal. When it comes to the unpredictability of autoimmune conditions, FSM offers a personalized approach to help alleviate your symptoms. There is a wide range of different protocols on our FSM devices that help with chronic pain, inflammation, gut health, liver detox, and viruses. If you want to learn more about FSM, please visit our blog titled “Frequency Specific Microcurrent”.
Ozone Therapy
Ozone therapy uses medical-grade ozone (O₃) to help promote healing and support overall wellness. Nasal ozone therapy may help relieve congestion, sinus pressure, and respiratory infections, while ear ozone therapy can support the body’s natural processes of immune response and detoxification. Please visit our page on Ozone Therapy for more information.
Care That Adapts as Conditions Change
Autoimmune conditions are inherently unpredictable, and many people find that what helps at one stage may not be as effective at another. As symptoms shift and flares arise, treatment can be adjusted to meet your body’s needs at that time. Not every visit looks the same, because your care is guided by how you’re feeling during each session. Many people living with autoimmune disease find that supportive care between flares helps them maintain daily stability.
For example, if you’re experiencing increased muscle tension or stagnation, traditional fire cupping may be incorporated. If you’re feeling especially cold or depleted, moxibustion may be used to provide gentle warmth and support. These adjustments are always based on your presentation that day. Because autoimmune disease affects each person differently, treatment timelines and responses vary. We often recommend starting with a consultation so care can be personalized from the beginning.
Acupuncture works best as a complement to care from your primary care provider and specialists managing your autoimmune disease. TCM and Western medicine approach the body differently, but they can work alongside each other. Chinese herbs or TCM-based dietary guidance may also be discussed when appropriate. For instance, some individuals who tend to feel cold or fatigued may benefit from incorporating more warm, cooked foods rather than raw or chilled foods, according to TCM principles.
A Steadier Way to Support Your Health
Living with autoimmune disease often means learning to listen closely to your body and responding to its changes with patience and support. Having care in place between flares can help many people feel more grounded and supported in their day-to-day lives. Many of our patients find that supporting their nervous system and overall regulation between flares helps them feel steadier over time.
At Lim Acupuncture Clinic, with locations in Castle Rock and Centennial, we focus on creating a calm, supportive space where your experiences are taken seriously and your care is individualized. Dr. Lim uses a Traditional Chinese Medicine approach to thoughtfully incorporate therapies such as acupuncture, herbal support, and moxibustion based on your needs over time. Autoimmune conditions are hard enough, so if you’re curious whether this type of supportive care could fit into your wellness routine, starting with a conversation can be a helpful first step.
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