A clearer look at what’s happening inside your immune system
Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system, which normally protects you, begins to misidentify your own cells as something harmful. Instead of targeting bacteria or viruses, it reacts to healthy tissues. This creates inflammation that can show up in many areas of the body such as joints, skin, nerves, digestion, and hormones.
Because the immune system impacts every major system in your body, autoimmune issues rarely stay in one place. People often describe symptoms that shift, flare, or rotate between different areas, which can feel frustrating and unpredictable.
Even though the conditions vary, the underlying theme is an immune system that is either overreactive, misdirected, or exhausted from constant stress and inflammation.
What it feels like when the immune system becomes overactive
Many autoimmune disorders lean toward excess activity. The immune system is on “high alert,” creating inflammation even when there’s no true threat.
Patients often describe things like:
“I wake up feeling inflamed before the day even starts.”
“My joints swell or ache out of nowhere.”
“My stomach reacts to foods that never bothered me.”
“My skin flares from stress or certain triggers.”
“I feel wired and tired at the same time.”
Behind these symptoms is a pattern of heightened immune response. The body is pushing too hard, leading to heat, irritation, and over-sensitivity.
From a traditional East Asian medicine perspective, this often reflects internal heat, stagnation, or overactivity. The system needs calming, cooling, and better circulation so inflammation does not build and flare so easily.
What it feels like when the immune system becomes weakened or imbalanced
Some autoimmune patterns show the opposite picture. Instead of being overactive, the body feels depleted, sluggish, and unstable.
Patients often share:
“I’m exhausted no matter how much I rest.”
“My muscles feel weak or heavy.”
“I get sick easily or take forever to recover.”
“My digestion alternates between slow and unpredictable.”
“My hands and feet feel cold even when the rest of me is warm.”
This reflects an immune system that is struggling to regulate itself. Instead of coordinated defense, everything becomes inconsistent. Energy, warmth, and circulation all feel lower than normal.
In East Asian medicine terms, this often points toward deficiency patterns, not enough qi or warmth to keep the system functioning smoothly.
Why autoimmune issues are so common today
Stress has a major influence on immune behavior. Long-term stress keeps the body in a reactive state, pushing inflammation and confusing the immune response. Poor sleep, nutrient depletion, chronic infections, environmental irritants, gut imbalances, and postpartum changes also contribute.
Autoimmune disorders almost never appear “out of nowhere.” There is usually a deeper story of stress, inflammation, and system overload underneath the diagnosis.
Common autoimmune disorders people bring up during a consultation
Autoimmune conditions come in many forms. Some affect one system, others affect several at once. The ones most commonly seen in clinic include:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus
Hashimoto thyroiditis
Graves disease
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
Multiple sclerosis
Inflammatory bowel diseases
Celiac disease
Sjogren syndrome
Type 1 diabetes
Even though the diagnoses differ, the underlying behavior of the immune system has the same pattern, confusion, inflammation, and disrupted regulation.
How we support autoimmune balance:
Acupuncture is not meant to replace medical treatment, but it strengthens and regulates the body in ways medication alone may not address. In our clinic, patients commonly notice:
fewer flare ups
calmer inflammation
steadier digestion
improved energy and mental clarity
better sleep
reduced joint or muscle discomfort
more regulated nervous system
easier stress recovery
The goal is not only symptom relief but helping the immune system settle into a healthier rhythm. When inflammation is calmer and the nervous system is more stable, the body becomes less reactive and more resilient.
A patient’s story
A patient recently shared, “I’ve been managing Hashimoto’s for a long time, but the fatigue and brain fog kept getting worse. Acupuncture helped me feel more steady day to day. My energy lasts longer, my mind feels clearer, and my flare-ups aren’t as intense. It’s the first time in years I’ve felt real progress.”
Autoimmune symptoms can feel discouraging because they affect so many parts of life at once. But you are not stuck with the pattern you’re currently in. With the right support, the body can find a calmer, more balanced rhythm again.
If you’re navigating an autoimmune condition and want a more stable, grounded path forward, we’re here to walk with you at your pace, with attentive care and real intention.
