Lyme disease is caused mostly by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Also, many patients have co-infections, which are known as Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and Babesia. When looking at symptoms, they seem to cover virtually everything imaginable. Depending on which of the co-infections, the patient has contracted will determine the myriad of symptoms that can be experienced. Three hundred thousand cases of Lyme disease are reported every year. Many cases are minor, but Lyme disease can be a significant debilitating factor for those who suffer. Patients often have random body pains, gut issues, burning sensations, numbness, tingling, neurological problems that can affect cognition/memory, and neurological ticks. Compare this to patients with Bartonella more often exhibiting anxiety, depression, rashes, heart issues, headaches, and un-resolving heel pain.
Typically those infected have common co-infections. Alongside the infection, many patients have food allergies, viruses, candida overgrowths, heavy metal toxicity, etc.
HOW DO YOU GET LYME DISEASE
Some patients contracted Lyme disease by getting bit by a tick and then developing a bull’s eye rash. Less than 50% of people present with this rash, but many clinicians will argue that about only 20% of their patients develop a rash.
New evidence suggests Lyme can be passed down from one’s mother during pregnancy, through breast milk, sexual intercourse, and even blood transfusions. Some research shows how it can be in animal milk, or even in some meat we eat. It takes over six hundred degrees Fahrenheit to kill these microbes in meat, even if you cook it thoroughly, it can still be in your food. Mosquitoes are well known to transfer Lyme disease to humans after biting an infected deer or other animals. Around 50% of cats are shown to be infected with Bartonella AKA cat scratch fever and can then be passed to their owners or other animals. There are many ways one can get Lyme, and most of the time, the rash is not observed. More and more people realize they have Lyme than ever previously thought.
TESTING FOR LYME DISEASE?
The lab tests are the ELISA or Western Blot to test for Lyme. Since they only check for a minimal number of the strains, they miss up to 60% of Lyme cases, according to Johns Hopkins. One of the best tests to consider is IgeneX, but even this test may miss some. Usually, there are many false negatives involved with Lyme, and Doctors typically put the patient on a high dose of antibiotics to kill the infections. However, most of the time, patients are left discouraged as antibiotics due little to nothing to help the patient feel better or address the root of the infections and toxicities present
HOW TO TREAT PATIENTS WITH LYME
If a tick just bit you, save it and go straight to your MD, especially if you have any rash. Aside from that, here is what I recommend. Lyme can switch between different forms, each needs to be treated in different ways and they can also communicate with each other!
I never recommend a single-treatment plan for all; in some cases, you can make educated treatment suggestions. Usually, a thorough exam and testing are needed. With Lyme being able to change forms, the body goes through periods where you can feel fine, and then out of nowhere, symptoms can come back with a vengeance.
Many Lyme clinics, unfortunately, only treat Lyme and ignore other co-infections and or health issues that Lyme patients most often have. Most Lyme patients present to also have a fungal/candida overgrowth or heavy metal toxicities. An increase in the total toxic load on the body will make it difficult to treat the patient. Biofilms, which are the waste of the bacterial breakdown from the Lyme and other co-infections, gets stored deep within organs, muscle, and neurological tissue. Treating for biofilms can play a crucial role in recovery from Lyme disease.
Dietary restrictions can play a huge role in treating Lyme, and its co-infections. I find that a lot of healing can come from removing any possible food sensitivities. This will help decrease inflammation and increase healing in the body. By removing irritants, patients start to lighten their toxic load, and the body is now able to do its job and heal. In some, this involves temporarily going on an extremely low-fat diet to allow the body to eliminate harmful biofilms.
When treating Lyme, there are many variables because co-infections are so common. Managing Lyme can be much more complicated than normal illnesses. If you or a loved one has Lyme, it can be challenging and confusing. Treatment can change rapidly due to different forms of the Lyme and its co-infections. An Applied Kinesiologist (AK) who is specially trained to help diagnose and treat Lyme can be one of the most advantageous things you can do for this disease. An AK physician can help identify what microbes, food allergies, and heavy metals are, making the patient’s symptoms even worse. Doctors that use AK are some
of the most qualified to determine treatment plans for those who have Lyme. It’s been found that many Lyme patients have so many stressors on the body that they can’t handle many supplements due to the fillers and other unnecessary ingredients in products. In my clinic, I only use the highest grade of medicinal supplements and herbs. Taking supplements can be one of the most effective ways to treat Lyme, but taking the wrong supplement or the right supplement with the improper additives can make you worse than when you began. Because of this, many Lyme regimes often get minimal results, especially without using Applied Kinesiology.
In conclusion, Lyme and its co-infections can be intimidating and confusing to deal with. However, I have seen patients make full recoveries. If you or a loved one is suffering from Lyme, please reach out to me to see how I can help facilitate and accelerate your healing process.
Please email me at DrRyanBland@gmail.com or leave a comment below if you have any questions. Call 253-302-3131 or visit www.DrRyanBland.janeapp.com to schedule your appointment today.
– Dr. Bland
Dr. Ryan Bland is a second-generation Chiropractor and Applied Kinesiologist practicing in Tacoma / Seattle WA. Dr. Bland treats chronically ill patients with fatigue, intestinal issues, depression, autoimmune conditions, etc. The patients he has seen most often seen many other doctors beforehand and can be helped using a unique protocol developed by Michael Lebowitz DC. He also works with professional athletes, actors, dancers, and people from all over the world, working to optimize overall health.
