Written by Vera Coetsee, Health and Nutrition Coach
17 Mar 2025
Autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, can lead to a range of debilitating symptoms and challenges. A holistic approach recognises the interconnectedness of the body and mind, promoting not only medical treatment but also lifestyle modifications, nutritional support, and stress management techniques. By addressing the whole person rather than just the symptoms, holistic care aims to enhance quality of life, empower patients, and foster resilience in the face of chronic illness.
What is an autoimmune disease?
Autoimmune disorders are chronic health conditions in which the body’s own defenses (immunity) mistakenly attack various bodily organs and systems. What happens is that the immune system misinterprets part of your own body as a foreign invader, as if it were a virus or bacterium. Examples of common autoimmune disorders are rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, hashimoto’s thyroiditis, graves’ disease, and crohn’s disease.
What causes an autoimmune disease?
The exact cause of autoimmune diseases remains largely unknown, but they are believed to arise from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. Genetic predisposition may make certain individuals more susceptible, while environmental triggers such as infections, toxins, or dietary factors can initiate or exacerbate the immune response. Hormonal influences and lifestyle factors, such as stress and diet, may also play a role in the development and progression of these conditions.
A Holistic Approach to Autoimmune Disease
- Diet and Nutrition – A well-balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins, is essential for managing autoimmune diseases, as it can help reduce inflammation, support immune function, and promote overall health.
- Functional Medicine – Functional medicine approaches autoimmune disease by identifying and addressing the root causes of illness through personalised treatment plans that integrate lifestyle changes, nutritional support, and targeted therapies, aiming to restore balance and optimise overall health.
- Stress Management – Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and deep-breathing exercises can help reduce stress, which may trigger or worsen symptoms. Counseling can provide emotional relief, helping individuals cope with the challenges of living with a chronic illness.
- Acupuncture – Acupuncture can be beneficial for individuals with autoimmune diseases by helping to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and promote relaxation, thereby enhancing overall well-being and supporting the body’s natural healing processes.
- Physical Activity with Physiotherapy – Physiotherapy can play a vital role in managing autoimmune diseases by improving mobility, strengthening muscles, reducing pain, and enhancing overall physical function through tailored exercise programs and manual therapy techniques. Regular exercise can improve physical health, reduce stress, and enhance mood.
At Restore, we take a holistic approach to patients dealing with an autoimmune disease by looking at it physically, emotionally, and mentally. We understand how autoimmune disorders can affect people, and so we focus on addressing the underlying reasons for health conditions. Our team of integrative health professionals ranging from functional medicine doctor, nutritionist, counsellors, physiotherapist, acupuncturist to bioresonance practitioners work together in coordinated care to help the body to achieve optimal healing. If you need support with an autoimmune condition, make an appointment at our clinic here.
Sources:
Gioia C, Lucchino B, Tarsitano MG, Iannuccelli C, Di Franco M. Dietary Habits and Nutrition in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Can Diet Influence Disease Development and Clinical Manifestations? Nutrients. 2020 May 18;12(5):1456. doi: 10.3390/nu12051456. PMID: 32443535; PMCID: PMC7284442.
Wang J, Zhu F, Huang W, Chen Z, Zhao P, Lei Y, Liu Y, Liu X, Sun B, Li H. Therapeutic Effect and Mechanism of Acupuncture in Autoimmune Diseases. Am J Chin Med. 2022;50(3):639-652. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X22500252. Epub 2022 Mar 10. PMID: 35282807.
Kavuncu V, Evcik D. Physiotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis. MedGenMed. 2004 May 17;6(2):3. PMID: 15266230; PMCID: PMC1395797.