Holistic Approaches to Managing Autoimmune Diseases: A Path to Wellness

Navigating life with an autoimmune disease can be challenging.

But there is help out there.

Now the help I’m about to discuss is not a cure.

And it’s certainly not instant relief.

But these can be our little helpers.

And as someone diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, I want to share these little helpers with you.

So what are these helpers?

These helpers are…

…natural therapies!!!!



Natural therapies can help support your overall health and improve your quality of life.

And quality of life is what we need!

Autoimmune Diseases are with us for life, but this doesn’t mean we need to suffer for life!

And natural therapies can help to enhance our lives!!

Natural Remedies for Autoimmune Disease Symptoms

Natural remedies can play a crucial role in managing autoimmune symptoms.

For instance, if your autoimmune disease causes inflammation, herbal supplements like turmeric and ginger could be your helpers as they’re known for their anti-inflammatory properties.

And for those of us who need to keep our immune system at bay, omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil can support immune health.

Now, I must state that it’s important to always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement to ensure it actually complements your life!

For example, I remember having a relapse many years ago with my autoimmune disease, Graves’ Disease.

It was caused by taking a 50mg vitamin B complex supplement!

Yes, something many people take!!

And so it’s crucial to get advice before taking supplements to know that they won’t interact with medications or your current treatment plan.

Integrative Medicine Approaches to Autoimmune Disorders

Have you heard of integrative medicine?

Well, integrative medicine is a way of combining conventional treatments with alternative treatments.

This is something I’ve benefitted from for nearly 25 years.

A little background, I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) at 21 years old, Graves Disease (an autoimmune disease) at 30 years old and recently diagnosed with arthritis and degenerative disc disease at 48.

All of these diseases are with me forever!!

And throughout my chronic disease journey, I’ve used alternative therapies as my little helpers.

And having these little helpers as support has enabled me to no longer need conventional treatments for the first two diseases.

Now the importance here is the word integrative.

This isn’t about going all in on one thing and not the other, it’s about these things working in tandem.

So why integrative medicine?

Integrative medicine addresses the whole body!

For instance, conventional medicine, the majority of the time, addresses the symptoms.

If you have pain in your knee, then take painkillers to dull the pain.

But what’s causing your knee problem?

Well, that’s where integrative medicine comes in!

Your knee pain might not necessarily be coming from your knee, and your body as a whole may need to be addressed to help your knee.

Following?

Gosh, I hope so, this stuff is confusing!

So this whole body, whole person approach looks at your mind and body as a whole and not as a body part!

This approach could include things like acupuncture, meditation, or yoga, each offering benefits like stress reduction and improved mental clarity which could further impact physical symptoms.

For example, meditation was a big help in reducing symptoms of Graves’ Disease, my hyper autoimmune disease needed calming, meditation and thyroid medication helped to control this.

So by integrating these practices, you create a balanced approach to managing your autoimmune condition.

Dietary and Lifestyle Changes for Autoimmune Disease Management

Now a biggie for me is diet and lifestyle.

And you don’t really get the benefits of diet and lifestyle until you step out of the dark and try it.

My biggest achievement with health has definitely been due to diet.

Your diet and lifestyle significantly impact autoimmune health.

Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help manage symptoms.

And definitely do your checks when it comes to food. 

For my Hashimoto’s and Graves’ Disease friends, this is vital; we have to be aware of goitrogens. If you have Hashimoto’s or Graves’ Disease, you have to be extremely vigilant when it comes to goitrogens found in raw vegetables.

Sorry for the tangent there,  just looking out for my fellow autoimmune thyroid sufferers.

But whatever your autoimmune disease, do your research, not all foods are great for us.

And it’s not only about diet.

Prioritising regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and stress management techniques are important in enhancing our overall well-being.

And with anything natural, this isn’t going to produce instant results; this is about making small, consistent changes!

Small, sustainable changes can make a big difference over time.

Autoimmune Diseases are with us for life, so don’t rush for results, take your time we’ve got a lifetime of this!

Complementary Therapies for Managing Autoimmune Conditions

So go and explore complementary therapies.

We all need to enhance relaxation, reduce pain, and improve mobility. 

And complementary therapies can provide this relief and support!!

Now, I know it’s easy to go and book a massage or chiropractic treatment without getting advice.  But it’s always a good idea to ask for advice from a healthcare provider beforehand.

Some therapies may flare up your symptoms.

For instance, my physical yoga practice that’s been with me for nearly 25 years, being there to help with two of my chronic illnesses, has had to be put on hold.

My bulging discs in my neck and lower back have dictated this.  They don’t like yoga. 

And a pain management consultant has told me to stop doing yoga as it may cause more damage!!

Pain management has said tai chi is good for me

So goodbye yoga and hello tai chi.



And so please consider discussing natural remedies with a health care consultant!!

We need to be safe!!!!



Being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease can take a huge piece of independence from us.

But I must say, embracing holistic strategies has been empowering for me.

It’s helped me to take control of my health and life journey!

This could be the same for you too!!!

So try to integrate small natural remedies and lifestyle changes.

Natural remedies could positively impact your health and well-being.

Cheryl  🙂 👋

References

• NCBI – Integrative Medicine as a Vital Component of Patient Care

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