Many chronic diseases like fibromylgia, chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, allergies, myositis, IBS and others relate directly to our immune system. Even when adopting a healthy diet, fresh air, purified water and other healthy measures, people still contact these diseases.

When our bodies eat or breath something, the good is used and the waste is expelled. But if something we take in is tagged by our immune system as bad, it is quickly eliminated. If we keep exposing our system to these irritants, the immune system is constantly summoned to respond, and this starts an inflammatory event that sets the autonomic nervous system into action.

When the autonomic system is under constant alert, it learns to overreact and we develop autoimmune reactions. The body begins a chronic fight of chronic inflammation and chronic autoimmune response. If the autoimmune response attacks the myelin sheaths of our nerves, we get MS. If it attacks the muscles we get myositis, and so on.

Treatment for autoimmune diseases starts with a functional neurologic and metabolic workup with food sensitivity lab tests. Then the patient must eliminate offending foods and airborne irritants and seek adjunctive therapies that balance these neurologic pathways, such as functional neurology, acupuncture, nutritional and physical therapy, exercise, massage and more, all tailored to each patient’s specific needs. Next, any damaged tissues must be healed using nutrition and appropriate therapy.

These conditions are manageable and even preventable by keeping the nervous system balanced and knowing what foods and environmental irritants may trigger an autoimmune issue.

Dr. Nathan S. Conlee, DC, CCSP, FIACA, DACNB, FACFN, LAc, CKTP, practices at Winter Haven Health Center, 3020 N. Country Club Rd. and can be reached at 520-322-6161 or PerformanceNeurology.com.