Uncovering the Root of Autoimmune Disease: A Functional Medicine Approach

Autoimmune diseases can feel like a mystery your body is keeping from you. One day you feel fine, and the next you’re fighting fatigue, pain, and inflammation you can’t explain. In simple terms, autoimmune disease happens when your immune system—your body’s defense force—mistakes your own tissues for invaders and launches an attack. Over time, this misdirected response can affect organs, glands, muscles, joints, and even the brain.

Common Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease

While symptoms can vary depending on which tissues are under attack, there are common threads many people experience:

• Persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest

• Muscle aches or weakness

• Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling

• Digestive issues (bloating, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain)

• Skin changes or rashes

• Brain fog, poor memory, or difficulty concentrating

• Hair loss or brittle nails

• Unexplained weight changes

• Low-grade fevers or recurrent infections

Common Autoimmune Diagnoses

Some of the more recognized autoimmune conditions include:

• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

• Graves’ disease

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Lupus (SLE)

• Multiple sclerosis

• Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

• Celiac disease

• Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis)

• Sjögren’s syndrome

Why Autoimmunity Happens: Digging Deeper

Functional medicine takes the stance that symptoms and diagnoses are the body’s way of waving a red flag. Instead of stopping at the label—Hashimoto’s, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis—we ask: Why is the immune system dysregulated in the first place?

Through both functional medicine principles and Applied Kinesiology assessments, we can uncover root contributors that often go undetected, including:

• Heavy metal toxicity – Mercury, lead, aluminum, and other metals can disrupt immune regulation.

• Food sensitivities – Gluten, dairy, soy, corn, and others can create chronic inflammation and leaky gut.

• Parasitic infections – Hidden gut parasites can cause immune overactivation and nutrient depletion.

• Mold exposure – Mycotoxins from mold can create systemic inflammation and immune chaos.

• Unresolved emotional trauma – The nervous system and immune system are closely linked; old emotional wounds can keep the body in fight-or-flight mode, impairing immune balance.

Applied Kinesiology allows us to test the body in real time—identifying weaknesses, stressors, and areas of imbalance that standard labs often miss. Combined with functional lab testing, this gives us a more complete map of your health picture.

How We Help at Ozark Holistic Center

Our process is designed to be thorough, compassionate, and individualized:

1. Start with a free consult – We listen to your story and outline potential next steps.

2. Run lab tests if necessary – This might include blood work, stool testing, mycotoxin panels, or heavy metal testing.

3. Perform a comprehensive exam – Using Applied Kinesiology, orthopedic and neurological assessments, and functional medicine evaluations.

4. Create an individualized plan – Addressing physical, nutritional, and emotional health, with a focus on restoring immune balance over time.

Autoimmune disease doesn’t have to define you. With the right investigation and a plan tailored to your body, healing is possible. Schedule your free consult today and take the first step toward restoring balance and vitality.