My Autoimmune Story
My first introduction to autoimmunity was my own. When my youngest daughter was 15 months old, I started feeling a deep pain in my hips. Over the course of 3 months, the pain worsened dramatically and moved upward into my shoulders and neck. I couldn’t turn my head while driving, it was torturous to pick up my children, and the simple act of pulling my legs out of my pants sometimes made me collapse from the pain. It also came with flu-like symptoms, with achiness and stiffness all over my body. I often felt like I had sand in my joints, making it slow to walk and move. It took 6 months to get a diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica and start on prednisone. I knew it wasn’t great to be on prednisone long-term, but I was begging for relief. At least I could function for my family, even if I never felt well.
Why does the body turn on itself?
I didn’t understand the concept of autoimmunity. The doctors didn’t know the cause. I felt like my body had betrayed me. After all, I had always focused on eating well and exercising. In the end, my disease subsided after 3 years and the worst of my symptoms went away. But I continued to have a lot of inflammation in my joints.
I have seen too much autoimmunity among my friends since then. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, Sjogrens syndrome, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Wegener’s disease, CNS vasculitis. There are over 100 autoimmune diseases. Some are life-threatening, and most are life-changing.
The Autoimmune Protocol
If you’re reading this page, you may have heard of the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP). You may think it’s only a special diet. In truth, it is the gold-standard for using both nutrition and lifestyle to manage the symptoms that come with autoimmunity. This holistic approach includes six pillars. As an AIP Certified Coach, I help you address each one.
The beauty of the Autoimmune Protocol is that it is a template. Every person is bio-individual with unique life circumstances. The AIP template takes this into account. We consider everything going on in your life to create your individualized plan that addresses the six pillars.
I combine the AIP template with functional testing to create the most bio-individual diet plan that allows the most flexibility and variety. This also allows me to create an individualized lifestyle and supplement protocol that will help you achieve your health goals as quickly as possible.
Nutrition
Autoimmunity causes inflammation and often nutrient deficiencies. A diet of the most nutrient-dense anti-inflammatory foods gives your body the nutrients it needs to balance its immune system.
Stress Management
Stress-relieving techniques help calm your nervous system and promote feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters that signal your immune system to settle down.
Sleep
Deep restorative sleep helps your body clear out toxins and inflammation. It’s the time your body repairs itself. It’s not unusual for people with autoimmunity to sleep 10-12 hours per night.
Connection to Others
Being part of an accepting social circle creates a sense of support. Connecting with family, friends and like-minded community soothes your nervous system and increases well-being.
Movement
The body is designed to move. Even though you may not have energy or strength for strenuous exercise, simply walking and stretching increases circulation and clears inflammation out of your body.
Connection with Nature
You are hard-wired to spend time in nature. Your genes recognize the sunlight, the sounds, the smells and feel of Nature. This connection is a powerful healing force.
The beauty of the Autoimmune Protocol is that it is a template. Every person is bio-individual with unique life circumstances. The AIP template takes this into account. We consider everything going on in your life to create your individualized plan that addresses the six pillars.
I was suffering with tingling in my hands and feet, and had numbness in my legs and most of my torso when I began my nutritional program with Therese. The pain I was experiencing made it impossible to sleep, workout, and run more than a couple of steps. My neurologist confirmed that I was having an autoimmune attack on my nervous system. Working through my program, I saw noticeable improvements in my MRIs at 3mos, 6mos, and at 1 year was declared condition free. The pain in my hands and feet are gone as is almost all of the numbness. I can now sleep, run, workout, and live my life pain free. An additional benefit has been a realignment of my gut health, and digestive issues are a thing of the past.
Dan Davis