Our 4x4 approach to Lyme disease & chronic infection:

An alignment call is the first step in your journey

Our alignment call serves as the entry point to any of the programs we offer. We use these 15 minute calls to gather entry level information about you and your health goals so that we can place you in the appropriate track. It is also a good time to ask basic questions and to make sure our transformational program is the right fit for you. If you think you might benefit from what we have to offer, book a free alignment call today.

Anatomy of the Discovery phase

In the Discovery phase we will establish an initial baseline that we will use to track progress and to develop a course of action. Through this phase we ultimately become a partner to you and your healthcare journey, keeping you on track and giving you the tools to change.

What’s included in treatment?

Our 4 pillars serve as the framework of our Transformational program.  Each pillar is an important area of your health that needs to be addressed and optimized in order to get better and stay better. 

1. Foundation: In this pillar, we assess and support the body’s ability to clear toxins, especially from things like mold and heavy metals. Reducing toxic burden is vital to the proper functioning of the immune system.

2. Immune: Immune system dysregulation can lead to chronic infection and autoimmunity.  Here we test for markers of immune function and support a balanced immune response so that infections can be cleared without excessive inflammation.

3. Infection: At this pillar, the body is primed for clearing infection and specific antimicrobials can be used to improve treatment outcomes.

4. Repair: Once the first three pillars have been addressed, we support the body’s internal mechanisms to repair itself.

The sequence of progression through the 4 pillars  is intentionally designed to remove obstacles to recovery and prepare the body to fight infection so that testing and treatment for specific infections is targeted and efficient. Progression through each of the phases is driven by data gathered in testing on entering and exiting each pillar. 

Treatment will differ depending on the individual and the results of entry testing for each pillar.  As integrative practitioners we have a wide array of tools to choose from and we often utilize a multi pronged treatment approach.

Maintenance: continuing care after treatment

Care shouldn’t have to stop once you’ve completed initial treatment. The maintenance phase aims to not only help sustain long lasting recovery, but also to optimize your life without chronic illness. We want to get you back to living your best life, energetically and without pain or anxiety. We set the bar high so that you can experience total mental, physical, and emotional wellness and not just the absence of disease.

We trust you.

If you trust people, listen to them and give them the right tools they can overcome illness.

We give you a structured approach so that you can address your chronic infection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t know if I have Lyme disease?

Many of our patients do not have a definitive diagnosis before they arrive at our clinic. During the discovery phase of the program we preform comprehensive testing to try to determine the cause of your symptoms. There have been many recent advances in lab testing, including the use of advanced DNA testing to detect the presence of Lyme disease and ‘stealth’ infections that can be missed by other testing techniques.

What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?

Common symptoms of Lyme disease include but are definitely not limited to Headaches, joint pain, muscle pain, fatigue, brain fog, and neurologic problems. However, just because you have these symptoms it does not mean you have Lyme disease. This symptom picture is very non-specific and there are many other conditions that can present with these symptoms. There is also huge variability in the way Lyme and tick borne disease presents depending on the person. In other words, two people with Lyme disease can have very different symptoms. This makes a thorough history, physical exam, and specific lab testing extremely important for understanding the root cause of your condition and diagnosing infection if present.

What is chronic Lyme disease?

A proportion of patients with Lyme disease remain symptomatic following treatment. Chronic Lyme disease (CLD) is a label given to some patients with Lyme disease that are still symptomatic following standard antibiotic treatment due to persistent infection. It is also referred to as post infectious Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) although this definition attributes lingering symptoms to immune system abnormalities rather than an active infection.  While there is evidence to suggest both CLD and PTLDS theories contribute to lingering symptoms, the possibility of chronic infection is an ongoing debate.

What is the best test for Lyme disease?

There is no one size fits all test for Lyme and tick borne disease. Conventional testing may yield false negatives, especially early in infection. We offer testing from specialty labs that use different methods and criteria for testing that may yield more accurate results, especially in early infection. (Labs we use). Ultimately, Lyme disease is a clinical diagnosis that cannot be ruled in or out based on testing alone.  Lab tests are used in conjunction with a complete health history and signs and symptoms to inform diagnosis.

What is a co-infection?

Co-infections are infections that commonly occur and/or are contracted alongside Borrelia species infections.  Common co-infections include but are not limited to Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia/anaplasma, Mycoplasma, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  Some infections can be reactivated or can become symptomatic in the setting of Lyme disease which further complicate the symptom picture, diagnosis, and treatment.

I don’t remember being bitten by a tick, how could I have Lyme disease?

A large proportion of patients with Lyme disease do not recall getting bit by a tick. In addition many do not develop the classic “bull’s eye rash” that is said to follow the tick bite and indicate infection with Borrelia. Tick saliva also has a naturally occurring pain blocking effect which prevents you from feeling the tick bite or that it is attached. Young ticks are thought to be the most infective due to their very small size (size of a sesame seed) and it may have been very hard to see if one was attached. 

How long does a tick have to be attached to transmit Lyme disease and what do I do if I find one?

While it is a popular belief that a tick needs to be attached between 24 and 48 hours to transmit Lyme disease, there is evidence to suggest that transmission can occur well before the 24 hour mark.  There may be many variables that affect this rate including tick location, tick stage of development, individual immune responses, and the presence of co-infecting agents in the ticks.

If you find a tick attached, remove the tick immediately.  Gently remove using a pair of tweezers or a specialized tick-removal tool. Be careful to not squish the tick and inadvertently empty its contents into your bloodstream.  Save the tick in a small sealed container and bring to you primary care provider or to our clinic for testing and infection prophylaxis. Testing the tick itself is inexpensive and invaluable information about the microorganisms that the tick was carrying.

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