WE CAN HELP

Leaky Gut is initiated primarily through the use of certain medications, namely antibiotics. Significant secondary causes are non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), immunizations, environmental toxins, food additives, alcohol and candida, with diet and lifestyle playing a strong role as well. 

There are trillions more bacteria than native human cells living in and on your body; a ratio of about 10:1. These bacteria create a delicate ecosystem allowing countless symbiotic relationships within every system in your body. Antibiotics directly disrupt this ecosystem creating a number of undesired effects. 

Initially, while destroying pathogenic bacteria, antibiotics also destroy beneficial bacteria. This leads to alkalization of the digestive tract and dysbiosis- an imbalance of the indigenous microflora in the body. Beneficial bacteria are absolutely essential to our health and survival. 

Few western physicians acknowledge the presence of Leaky Gut, let alone the significant contribution medications have to the disorder. This leads to few conventional options to address the disorder.

At North End Acupuncture, Philip is one of only a handful of Chinese medical practitioners in the country that utilizes a functional medicine model to help accurately diagnose and treat Leaky Gut. With each patient, he will conduct a complete medical history which examines the main and secondary complaints while investigating all other systems of the body to gain fuller view of a patient’s pathology. If LGS is suspected, specific laboratory testing is often used to confirm a diagnosis.

Philip uses exclusively acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine with some western supplements to treat within the parameters of Chinese medical theory.  This unique treatment approach is not only effective, but essential. There is no such thing as a universal treatment for LGS. It is an extremely complex and nuanced disorder that manifests with infinite diversity depending on a patient's constitutional weaknesses. Treatment requires an individual diagnosis paired with medicine strong enough to address the complaints, yet gentle enough not to further weaken the body. Emphasis is placed on alleviating a patient's symptoms quickly, but more importantly resolving the root issue holding a disease pattern in place.

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Initial treatment is organized by removing the ongoing irritants to the small intestine epithelium. This is done by eliminating the intake of antibiotics, NSAID’s and food irritants while eradicating overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria and yeasts. Secondly, the intestinal lining is repaired using specific nutrients and herbal therapy. Thirdly, the liver and lymphatics are detoxified and regulated, as both systems become sluggish after being overloaded by LGS byproducts. Next, the immune system and endocrine systems are supported and balanced as LGS keeps them in a state of constant activation. Finally, the digestive system needs to be regulated and rehabilitated as it is almost always weak after prolonged Leaky Gut.