Acupuncture for Autoimmune Patterns and Long-Term Stress States in Seattle
Autoimmune conditions and long-term stress states often develop over time, shaped by a combination of immune activity, nervous system strain, illness, trauma, and prolonged environmental or emotional pressure. Symptoms may fluctuate, overlap, or resist simple explanations, especially when the body has been adapting for years.
I offer acupuncture in Seattle for people living with autoimmune patterns or long-standing stress states who are looking for supportive, integrative care that focuses on regulation, pacing, and resilience rather than quick fixes.
Patterns and symptoms I commonly work with
People seek care with me for experiences such as:
Autoimmune conditions with fluctuating or systemic symptoms
Chronic inflammation or pain without clear triggers
Persistent fatigue or low recovery capacity
Stress sensitivity or symptom flares during periods of pressure
Feeling depleted, reactive, or unable to fully rest
Illness patterns that feel layered or difficult to stabilize
Many clients are already working with medical providers and are seeking adjunctive support to help their system tolerate stress, recover more effectively, and stabilize over time.
How long-term stress interacts with immune and nervous system function
Long-term stress can affect immune and nervous system function in cumulative ways. When the body is exposed to ongoing psychological, physiological, or environmental pressure, stress response systems may remain activated beyond their intended window.
Over time, this can influence inflammation, sleep quality, pain perception, energy regulation, and recovery capacity. The nervous system may become more reactive or less flexible, and immune responses may have a harder time returning to baseline after stressors or illness.
Rather than viewing symptoms as isolated failures of a single system, this perspective looks at how prolonged stress alters regulation across interconnected systems. When baseline safety and recovery are compromised, symptoms may persist or fluctuate even in the absence of acute triggers.
East Asian medicine perspective
Acupuncture can support these patterns by helping the nervous system settle and improving the body’s capacity to regulate and recover alongside other forms of care.
In East Asian medicine, autoimmune patterns and long-term stress states are often understood as disruptions in how the body regulates, circulates, and recovers over time. Systems associated with digestion and nourishment (often described as Spleen and Stomach functions), stress processing and flow (Liver), and defense and resilience (Wei Qi) can become strained when the body has been adapting to prolonged pressure.
Rather than viewing symptoms as isolated problems, this framework looks at how Qi moves, how well the body can rest and repair, and whether there is enough capacity to respond to ongoing demands without becoming depleted or reactive.
Treatment focuses on supporting regulation and coherence across systems so the body can regain steadier rhythm, containment, and resilience, even when symptoms have been present for a long time.
My clinical approach
I use acupuncture and East Asian medicine to support people with autoimmune patterns by focusing on regulation, circulation, and recovery capacity. Treatments are individualized and paced, with attention to how stress, fatigue, and immune activity interact.
My approach is intentionally conservative. Rather than pushing the body to change quickly, I prioritize stabilization and sustainable support, especially for people whose systems have been under strain for long periods.
My role is often time-limited and adjunctive. Many people work with me more intensively for several weeks to improve regulation and symptom tolerance, then transition to occasional sessions as needed.
This approach is particularly helpful for people who:
Experience symptom flares during stress or transitions
Feel depleted despite rest or lifestyle changes
Are managing complex or overlapping conditions
Want supportive care alongside medical treatment
I frequently work alongside primary care, specialty care, and mental health providers, and I refer out when appropriate.
What sessions are like
Sessions take place in a quiet clinical setting in Seattle. Treatments are steady and non-overstimulating, with an emphasis on helping the nervous system settle and supporting the body’s capacity to recover.
Over time, people often report improved stress tolerance, steadier energy, and greater overall stability, even when underlying conditions remain part of their ongoing care.
Is this a good fit?
Acupuncture can be a supportive modality for people with autoimmune patterns and long-term stress states, particularly when nervous system strain and inflammation are contributing factors. It is not a replacement for medical care, and I encourage continued collaboration with appropriate healthcare providers.
If you are looking for acupuncture in Seattle to support regulation and resilience alongside your existing care, I offer a free consultation to help determine whether working together makes sense.