Lyme Disease Prevention and Acupuncture’s Role in Treating Symptoms

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With Spring around the corner, we are soon going to to be seeing ticks. Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that can lead to debilitating symptoms if not caught and treated early. While prevention is the best defense, those who contract Lyme disease often struggle with lingering symptoms even after antibiotic treatment. I’ve struggled with Lyme and co-infections (Bartonella) three times and I can tell you it’s like no other illness I’ve experienced. I assist many patients who have had Lyme or are undergoing treatment. Acupuncture can help to manage pain, fatigue, and neurological issues associated with Lyme disease.  

LYME DISEASE PREVENTION: HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Since Lyme disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged tick (also called a deer tick), the best way to avoid the illness is through effective prevention strategies.  

1. Avoid Tick-Infested Areas

Ticks thrive in wooded, grassy, and brushy areas. If you’re hiking, camping, or spending time in nature, stay on clear trails and avoid tall grass and dense undergrowth.  

2. Wear Protective Clothing

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors.  

• Choose light-colored clothing to easily spot ticks.  

• Tuck pants into socks and wear closed-toe shoes to reduce exposure.  

3. Use Tick Repellent  

• Apply insect repellents containing DEET (20-30%) or picaridin to skin and clothing. Nantucket Spider makes a wonderful essential oil tick repellent as well that works as well as DEET.

• Treat clothing and gear with permethrin, which kills ticks on contact.  

4. Perform Thorough Tick Checks  

• After spending time outdoors, check your entire body, including the scalp, behind the ears, armpits, groin, and behind the knees.  

• Examine pets and outdoor gear to prevent ticks from entering your home and for better prevention, keep the pets off your bed and furniture that you’re sitting on.

5. Shower and Wash Clothes After Outdoor Activities  

• Taking a shower within two hours of coming indoors can wash off unattached ticks.  

• Tumble-dry clothes on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any ticks hiding in fabric.  

6. Remove Ticks Properly

• Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and pull upward without twisting.  

• Clean the bite area with antiseptic and monitor for symptoms like a rash or flu-like illness.  

7. Save the Tick

Save the tick on a paper towel in a ziplock bag and send it to the folks at www.tickreport.com I think it’s worth paying for all the co-infection tests because this will enable you to know exactly what to treat should you have problems down the line. I would also ask your doctor to give you antibiotics prophylactically. 

UNDERSTANDING LYME DISEASE AND ITS SYMPTOMS

Lyme disease is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Symptoms often appear in stages:  

Early-Stage Lyme Disease (3-30 Days Post-Tick Bite):

• Bull’s-eye rash (Erythema migrans) – a red rash that gradually expands. BUT only 50% of people will present with a rash. Many go undetected and undiagnosed because of this.

• Flu-like symptoms: fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue.  

Later-Stage Lyme Disease (Weeks to Months After Infection):

• Joint pain and swelling, similar to arthritis.  

• Neurological symptoms: numbness, tingling, memory issues, or Bell’s palsy (facial paralysis).  

• Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat (Lyme carditis).  

Chronic Lyme Disease (Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome – PTLDS):

Some individuals continue to experience symptoms after antibiotic treatment, including:  

• Chronic fatigue  

• Brain fog and memory issues  

• Persistent joint and muscle pain  

• Insomnia and mood changes  

This is where acupuncture can be a beneficial complementary therapy.

HOW ACUPUNCTURE HELPS LYME DISEASE SYMPTOMS

Acupuncture is widely used to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and support immune function. For Lyme disease, it offers relief from many lingering symptoms that traditional medicine struggles to address.  

1. Reduces Chronic Pain and Inflammation

• Lyme disease often triggers widespread pain, similar to fibromyalgia.  

• Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.  

• It also reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines, helping ease joint swelling and muscle pain.  

2. Supports the Immune System

• Acupuncture helps regulate the immune response, preventing overactivity that can cause autoimmune-like symptoms in Lyme patients.  

• It improves circulation and lymphatic drainage, helping the body detoxify from bacterial toxins.

3. Enhances Neurological Function

• Many Lyme patients suffer from brain fog, memory loss, or nerve pain.

• Acupuncture increases blood flow to the brain and nervous system, promoting healing.  

• It has been shown to improve symptoms of neuropathy and cognitive dysfunction.

4. Combats Fatigue and Boosts Energy

• Lyme-related fatigue can be overwhelming, often resembling chronic fatigue syndrome.

• Acupuncture helps restore energy by balancing Qi (vital energy) and improving adrenal function.

5. Improves Sleep and Reduces Anxiety

• Insomnia, anxiety, and depression are common in chronic Lyme sufferers.  

• Acupuncture lowers cortisol levels, reduces stress, and promotes relaxation, leading to better sleep and emotional stability.  

I recommend a schedule of weekly sessions for 4-6 weeks, followed by maintenance treatments as needed.  

Most patients begin to feel improvements after a few sessions, though long-term relief may require consistent treatment.  

If you or anyone you know has been bit by a tick and needs any guidance, I’m happy to speak with them. I have many resources available. The key is prevention and early and proper treatment. 

Always seek a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac) when pursuing acupuncture.