Did you know that tiny ticks carry powerful diseases?

Lyme disease, also known as the bacteria named Borrelia Burgdorfei, is a dominating disease that can cause pain, inflammation, mental health problems, and even tissue damage. Although many individuals find success with antibiotics, the Borrelia bacteria is sometimes resistant to treatment or undetected for months! Additionally, Lyme disease can also be co-infected, meaning that an individual is infected with more than one tick-borne disease.

For those with persistent Lyme disease and chronic symptoms, the journey can be frustrating and painful. In this blog, we’ll provide you with seven alternative treatments for Lyme disease that may alleviate symptoms and strengthen antibiotic efficacy.

DISCLAIMER: This blog is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as treatment or taken as medical advice. Please consult a medical provider if you have Lyme disease or suspect a diagnosis. 

Alive and Well Clinic Phone Number (Texas Residents Only): (737) 637-3988 

Lyme Disease FAQ

Before exploring treatment alternatives, let’s review your FAQ about lyme disease.

Where is Lyme Disease Found?

Lyme disease is most common in the US, Canada, and Europe. In the US, it’s mostly found in the upper midwest, northeast, and mid-atlantic states. These locations foster brushy, wooded areas that ticks thrive in.

Although these areas are most common, Lyme disease can be found in all 50 states.

How Long Does Lyme Disease Last?

Lyme disease has varying life-spans—the disease can span from weeks to years of infection. The longer the disease is in the system, the more severe the symptoms become.

Why Does Lyme Disease Last So Long?

There are a few factors contributing to the lifespan of lyme disease: ignorance of original tick bite, unidentified symptoms, and persistent bacteria.

Since ticks are tiny creatures that quietly burrow into the skin, many individuals with Lyme disease don’t know that they were bit by a tick. Without knowing about the bite, individuals aren’t primed to look for symptoms.

Speaking of symptoms, the symptoms of Lyme disease mimic other diseases or illnesses like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia. As symptoms are ignored, they only get worse.

Finally, perhaps the most frustrating reason why Lyme disease lasts so long, is because the borrelia bacteria can turn into a persister. A persister is a type of bacteria that can survive even with antibiotics or starvation.

Lyme Disease Stages and Diagnosis

There are three stages to Lyme disease: early localized, early disseminated, and late. Without antibiotic treatment, these stages progress with the severity of symptoms. 

Early Localized: Begins 3-30 days after tick bite

70-80% of individuals in the early localized stage will first identify a red ring-like expanding rash at the site of a recent tick bite; this is called erythema migrans. 

Other symptoms include:

– Flu-like symptoms

– Inflammation of brain tissues (encephalitis)

– Joint stiffness

– Muscle aches and pain

– Weakness and fatigue

Early Disseminated: Begins 3-10 weeks after bite

20% of individuals with Lyme disease will reach the early disseminated stage. At this stage, individuals often notice more erythema migrans around the body.

Symptoms include:

– Neck pain and stiffness

– Swollen lymph nodes

– Face muscle weakness

– Irregular heartbeat

– Pain from back to hips to legs

– Pain, numbness, or weakness in hands or feet

– Swelling in eye tissues or eyelid

– Eye pain or vision loss from blocked blood flow

Late: Begins 2-12 months after bite

At this point, Lyme disease has turned into a chronic disease.

Symptoms include:

– Arthritis in knees or other large joints

– Discoloration and swelling on back of hands, top of feet, elbows, and knees

– Tissue damage

Diagnosis

The sooner Lyme disease is identified typically means that the recovery is faster. Doctors diagnose Lyme disease by evaluating symptoms and testing the blood for Lyme disease antibodies.

Conventional Treatments for Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is conventionally treated by a three-week dose of an antibiotic called Doxycycline. For many, this antibiotic is successful at ridding the body of the bacteria and symptoms.

However, approximately 20% of people with Lyme disease develop Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), meaning that they continue to have symptoms even with antibiotics. These symptoms include chronic fatigue, muscular or joint pain, and cognitive or neurological impairment. Some experience symptoms because the bacteria is still in the body (remember persisters?), and others may continue having symptoms because of nerve or tissue damage.

Seven Alternative Approaches to Lyme Disease

Alternative approaches to Lyme disease are not to replace antibiotics entirely, but to supplement the effects. These practices may boost the immune system, increase detoxification, heal the gut, and alleviate chronic symptoms. 

1. Detoxification

The most helpful Lyme disease alternative treatment is detoxification, which can happen with modalities like supplements, IVs, saunas, and food.

Glutathione

Glutathione is an amino acid that supports the detoxification process by making toxins water soluble so they can be properly eliminated. This amino acid can be received by IV, supplements, or food.

Saunas

Infrared and traditional saunas are a relaxing method for sweating out toxins.

2. Herbal Remedies

Antimicrobial herbs like Japanese Knotweed and Cryptolepis are proven to be effective in killing the Borrelia bacteria with a lower risk of resistance, compared to antibiotics. These herbs are ingested via liquid, capsules, or tablets.

 3. Ozone Therapy

Ozone therapy is a method for enhancing the body’s utilization of oxygen and activating the immune response. The oxidation may inactivate viruses, regulate bacterial content, and improve the body’s response to antibiotics—all processes integral to fighting Lyme disease.

There are four types of ozone therapy: IV, insufflation, sauna, and EBO2 therapy. Each method uses ozone, which is oxygen with three atoms instead of two, to penetrate the body.

4. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical practice that supports wellness, and improves mental and physical wellbeing. For the treatment, an acupuncturist places tiny needles throughout the body to stimulate circulation and endorphins. The stimulation may relieve muscle pain, release stiffness, relax the nervous system, and send oxygen to damaged tissues. 

5.  Vitamin C

Vitamin C, known as the immunity vitamin, is integral to boosting our body’s immune system. As a natural antioxidant, it helps regulate the immune system with white blood cells and antimicrobial proteins. 

However, our body does not make vitamin C on its own. It relies on external sources such as food, supplements, and IVs. Increasing your vitamin C intake for Lyme disease treatment may help your immune system fight the bacteria.

Vitamin C IV Therapy

Vitamin C IV therapy is a modality for achieving maximum vitamin C absorption. The concentrated vitamin C helps the blood oxidize faster for a stronger immune system, anti-inflammation, and even anti-fatigue. One study found that some individuals with a 12-week vitamin C IV treatment plan saw improvement in symptoms even after three months post-treatment.

6.  Healing the Gut

The gut is the center of our body. It plays a role in the immune system, brain, and inflammation. Lyme disease bacteria and antibiotics can disrupt the gut bacteria, make Lyme disease symptoms worse, and cause bowel issues, too.

Because of the gut-brain axis, balancing the gut may reduce fatigue, depression, anxiety by calming down brain inflammation. Additionally, the reduction in inflammation could provide relief for muscles, joints, and bowels. Finally, healing the gut may improve the immune system to fight the disease.

Probiotics

Probiotics can be a beneficial support for adding good bacteria into the microbiome and flushing out bad bacteria. You can get probiotics from fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, or yogurt. Probiotics are also available in supplement form.

Colon Hydrotherapy

Colon hydrotherapy is a relaxing treatment for cleansing and detoxing the body, especially if you’re having constipation or diarrhea from antibiotics. 

The process is a gentle infusion of water into the colon through a tube inserted into the rectum. The water softens and flushes out accumulated waste, toxins, and gas. This therapy supports the immune system, anti-inflammation, and relaxing the nervous system—all factors that can fight Lyme disease and chronic symptoms.

7. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Lyme disease may reduce blood flow to tissues and muscles, which causes inflammation and symptoms like weakness, numbness, and pain. HBOT is a therapy in which individuals breathe in pure oxygen, which increases blood flow.

The boosted blood flow soothes inflammation, strengthens the immune system, and supports brain function. As a result, HBOT may be helpful for killing the bacteria or managing chronic neurological and physical symptoms.

Please keep in mind that HBOT is not indicated for Lyme disease co-infections such as Bartonella and Babesia.

Visiting a Functional Medicine Provider 

Each individual with Lyme disease has a different experience, so these approaches are not one-size-fits all. If you need support choosing your path, visiting a functional medicine provider is a reliable start. 

Functional medicine providers take a root-cause and individualized approach to help you achieve long-term wellness. These providers will discuss your symptoms, lifestyle, and lyme disease journey to find the best plan for your needs. 

At Alive and Well, many of our practitioners specialize in chronic conditions and Lyme disease. Our practitioners are also familiar with alternative Lyme disease treatment modalities and can help you make an educated decision about your treatment.

Texas residents can contact the Alive and Well clinic by phone or email.

Phone: (737) 637-3988 

Email: clinic@aliveandwell.health

The Path Forward with Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a strong bacteria that can take a toll on the body. Whether the bacteria is a persister and won’t respond to antibiotics, or has already left damage, there are opportunities to heal. Alternative treatments can provide an extra boost to your immune system, gut, and oxygen utilization for a more effective response to antibiotics and fighting the disease.

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lyme-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20374651

https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/diagnosis-testing/index.html#:~:text=Laboratory%20diagnosis%20of%20Lyme%20disease,be%20detected%20by%20the%20test.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2017.00169/full

https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/4941