Multiple sclerosis and autoimmune conditions
Autoimmune conditions can be particularly challenging health conditions due to the fact that they originate when your body’s immune system becomes overly reactive to your own gland or tissue. Autoimmune conditions range in variety from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, where the immune system is destroying the thyroid, to multiple sclerosis (MS), where the immune system is damaging the nervous system.
One of the most important components of our nervous system that allows for rapid and effective conduction of nerve impulses is the myelin sheath. In MS, this sheath becomes damaged resulting in a wide range of conditions, including cognitive impairments, vision problems, muscular spasticity and weakness and many others. There are a few types of MS, but the majority of patients experience an unpredictable progression where they may go through periods of remission, where their symptoms decrease or almost disappear, only to be followed by periods of relapse. Despite the unpredictable nature of MS and its exact cause being unknown, there is a growing body of health professionals who are having success treating MS naturally.
Many patients with multiple sclerosis are told that their fate is an inevitable descent into decrepitude, but a lot can be done to stave off the degenerative effects of this disease. There are usually many factors contributing to the dysfunction that occurs in autoimmune conditions like MS, and we specialize in teaching you how to take back control over your health. Because of the importance of essential fatty acids (EFAs) in proper nerve function, getting good quality EFAs in your diet and avoiding those that have been damaged is paramount to reducing the progression of MS. Other factors, like having enough zinc, vitamin C and the many other vitamins and minerals necessary for proper immune and endocrine system functions play a significant role in your body’s ability to delay further damage and repair that which has been done. The other critical consideration here is getting the proper nutrition without consuming the myriad of foods that can aggravate autoimmune conditions. Nutrition just barely scratches the surface of what can be done. We have multiple tools at our disposal to support the body in addressing the condition.
My mission is to first put together the most complete picture of the underlying causes of each individual’s condition. I invest a sizeable chunk of time in the first two appointments with my patients to investigating what is going on underneath the surface so that we can create a treatment plan customized to your needs. Our treatments combine the timeless wisdom of Chinese medicine, which includes acupuncture, a medical system that has stood the test of time over thousands of years, with more modern nutritional information and testing, to provide the best of both worlds for our patients.
Join us for our upcoming health class, Battling Auto-Immune Diseases Naturally, on Sept. 11, for a more in-depth look at autoimmune conditions and how you can take your health back into your own hands. The class will be held at 7 p.m. at Vital Health in Coeur d’Alene. Fee: $10. RSVP: 208-765-1994 or register here: http://bit.ly/AutoImmuneClass
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Jonathan M. Sasser holds a Master of Science degree in Oriental Medicine, is a Licensed Acupuncturist and is board certified in Oriental Medicine by the NCCAOM. He has more than 3,000 hours of training in acupuncture, classical Oriental Medicine, herbal medicine and nutrition.
Additionally, Jon also holds a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine. Jon is a “Health Detective.” He looks beyond your symptom picture and investigates WHY you are experiencing your symptoms in the first place. Jonathan is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements at Vital Health in Coeur d’Alene.
Visit our website at www.vitalhealthcda.com to learn more about Jonathan, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Jonathan can be reached at 208-765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.