Your body’s immune system protects you from disease and infection. However, if you have an autoimmune disease, some unknown trigger causes your immune system to become confused. Instead of producing antibodies that fight foreign invaders, your immune system mistakenly produces antibodies that attack healthy cells, resulting in an imbalanced immune system response. This can take place in almost any area of the body.
There are over 80 types of autoimmune diseases. Many produce similar symptoms. All of them share a common thread, which is out of control chronic inflammation.
CONVENTIONAL APPROACHES TO TREATMENT
NSAID’s and Corticosteroidsboth fall into the category of immune suppressants. These drugs work by reducing the strength of the body’s immune system.
Corticosteroids are synthetic steroid hormones that mimic naturally occurring hormones, of the adrenal gland. The adrenal gland naturally produces similar hormones to moderate inflammation and balance stress, induced by injury or illness. Corticosteroids work in a similar way to depress the immune systems response, thus reducing inflammation.
These drugs treat a variety of chronic diseases, like eczema, arthritis, lupus and some cancers. The range of possible side-effects are as broad as the conditions they treat. Some people may have little to no reaction, while others can experience severe side-effects, including weakened bones and cataracts. Due to the potential for serious adverse reactions, these medications are usually prescribed for short periods of time.
NSAID’s are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Pain relievers like Aleve, Naproxen and Advil are popular over the counter NSAID’s. While NSAID’s can be very effective for pain relief, taking them for long periods of time can have serious implications. Therefore, these medications are a more short-term, or occasional solution for the chronic inflammation, which usually comes hand in hand with auto-immune diseases.
A WHOLISTIC APPROACH TO TREATMENT
Whole Body Cryotherapy is a safe and natural treatment that reduces chronic inflammation, systematically. Unlike conventional approaches that suppress the immune system, Cryotherapy stimulates the immune system to react in a balanced and efficient way, creating an optimal environment for enhanced health.
Cryotherapy was originally developed in Japan in 1978 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It has been studied in Japan and Europe for decades.
Our skin reacts to the cold, sending messages to the brain, which stimulates powerful neurological, endocrine and immune regulatory functions of the body. The immune system increases the white blood cell count, causing reduced inflammation and a positive, powerful immune system response. Circulation is improved and water weight is reducedas the circulatory system reacts. The endocrine system jumps into action with a release of endorphins and noradrenaline, creating an increase of “feel good” hormones in the blood stream. A reduction in cortisol has been seen in blood sample studies, as well as an increase in testosterone and DHEA. A cryotherapy session induces a total systemic response that offers many advantages: reduced pain, increased recovery, improved muscle strength and hormone production.
“Cryotherapy induces a short duration temperature stress to the body,”explains Dimitris Tsoukalas, M.D., leading expert in the application of Metabolomics and Nutritional Medicine in chronic and autoimmune diseases, as well as the author of How To Live 150 Years In Health. The hormones released during stress — cortisol, adrenaline, and dopamine — increase our ability to withstand pain, fatigue, and hunger. They also decrease inflammation and related symptoms.”
Cryotherapy leaves the body replenished and ready to protect, while simultaneously bringing balance to the immune system response. This treatmentprovides a much needed alternative to treating auto-immune diseases.
There are many medical studies documenting the safety and efficacy of using Whole Body Cryotherapy for the treatment of auto immune diseases. You can read those here: www.restorecryosauna.com/research
Questions? Call or email Dr. Gray today at 610-341-9300.
