Autoimmune Diseases: When Your Body Turns on Itself — And What You Can Do About It
So, you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. However, have you been told why this is the case, and have you been given significant advice that can help you combat the disease? Or, have you been told, this is you now for the rest of your life? Let’s see today if we can shed light on the subject and hopefully give you some key advice on how to overcome or at the very least reduce the symptoms and discomfort that goes with autoimmune diseases.
At Valerian Osteopathy, we regularly see patients struggling with symptoms they can’t quite explain — fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, skin issues, digestive upset, recurring infections. If you’ve been told “everything looks normal” but still feel far from healthy, it’s time to consider whether your immune system could be working against you. Or whether you are consuming, using, breathing in toxins that could be contributing to your issues.
Autoimmune diseases are more common than most people realise, affecting millions globally — and they’re on the rise. But what exactly is an autoimmune condition? Why are they rising?
Understanding Autoimmune Disease
Struggling with an autoimmune condition and no clear answers? At Valerian Osteopathy in Rochester, Kent, we help uncover the hidden causes of fatigue, pain, and brain fog. Discover how lifestyle, environment, and osteopathic care can support your healing journey. Take back control of your health—start with our expert autoimmune guide today.
Your immune system’s job is to protect you from harmful invaders like viral triggers, bacterial overgrowth, and toxins. But with an autoimmune disease, the system becomes confused. Instead of attacking the enemy, it attacks your own healthy cells, causing inflammation and damage to tissues — sometimes slowly, silently, and over many years.
Autoimmune conditions can affect almost any part of your body, including:
• Joints (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis)
• Thyroid (e.g. Hashimoto’s)
• Digestive system (e.g. coeliac disease)
• Skin (e.g. psoriasis)
• Nervous system (e.g. multiple sclerosis)
• And many others
There are over 80 recognised types — and unfortunately, many are difficult to diagnose early on because their symptoms can mimic other conditions.
What Causes Autoimmune Disease?
Science suggests autoimmune diseases are roughly 25% genetic and 75% environmental. That means while you may have a family tendency, your daily environment and lifestyle play a much bigger role.
Potential triggers include:
• Mould and damp exposure
• Food intolerances (like gluten or dairy)
• Toxins in cleaning and beauty products
• Chronic stress and trauma
• Poor sleep and overwork
• Smoking or excessive alcohol
• Gut imbalances and poor diet
One simple rule to follow: If you wouldn’t eat it or drink it, think twice about putting it on your skin or breathing it in.
Finding Your Unique Triggers
No two people are affected in exactly the same way, which makes autoimmune diseases complex to manage. But that also means there’s real hope — because identifying your specific triggers can make a dramatic difference.
Testing options can include:
• Functional blood tests
• Hair mineral analysis
• Elimination diets
• Comprehensive stool tests
Many of our patients feel real relief simply by removing common inflammatory foods. Diets like the carnivore, autoimmune paleo (AIP) or low-histamine diets have helped individuals reduce flare-ups and even reverse symptoms in some cases.
How Osteopathy Can Help
At Valerian Osteopathy, we believe the body is deeply interconnected. When the immune system is under stress, so is the rest of you.
Through gentle manual therapy, we work to:
• Improve lymphatic and blood circulation
• Reduce muscular tension and joint restriction
• Support vagus nerve function and parasympathetic tone (your “rest and repair” mode)
• Ease the physical load on your immune system
This can support not only symptom relief but your body’s overall healing capacity.
Stress: The Silent Aggressor
It’s not just about what you eat or breathe — it’s also what you feel. Emotional stress, trauma, burnout, and constant pressure weaken the immune system over time. We often see this connection between unresolved emotional stress and physical breakdown in clinic.
As osteopaths, we often help patients recognise this mind-body link and recommend gentle lifestyle and stress-management tools alongside physical treatment.
You’re Not Alone — And You’re Not Powerless
If this blog resonates with you, know this: you don’t have to keep pushing through alone. Autoimmune conditions aren’t always curable, but they are manageable. Many people go on to live vibrant, healthy lives by taking control of their environment, mindset, and movement.
Here’s where to start:
• Clean up your home environment (especially skincare, laundry, and kitchen)
• Address your gut health and diet
• Reduce stressors and prioritise rest
• Seek professional support
Need Support?
If you’re experiencing lingering symptoms or suspect something deeper is going on, we’re here to help. Book an appointment at Valerian Osteopathy in Rochester for a full-body assessment, personalised advice, and supportive care that looks at the bigger picture.
📍 Valerian Osteopathy – High Street, Rochester
📞 07902 627 697
📧 https://valerian-osteopathy.uk2.cliniko.com/bookings
Let’s give your body the support it needs to heal — from the inside out.