Lyme Disease and Acupuncture

Having grown up in the Northeast, the heart of the Lyme disease epidemic, I am all too familiar with ticks, Lyme disease, and the significant impact of the illness. Unfortunately, confusion and misunderstanding surround the infection. Through this three-part blog series on Lyme disease, co-infections/other tick-borne diseases, and the role of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, I strive to offer clarity, eliminate confusion, and demonstrate how holistic therapies can enhance the body's natural healing process.

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, primarily transmitted by the black-legged tick or deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). While it has been most common in the northeastern and midwestern United States, its presence is spreading globally. Recent research shows that ticks carrying Lyme disease can now be found in all 50 states and about half of U.S. counties, making it the fastest-growing vector-borne disease in the country. "The CDC estimates that approximately 476,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year. However, its symptoms often mimic other conditions, leading to many misdiagnoses. The actual number of cases is likely much higher" (lymedisease.org 2025). Due to this, Lyme disease is now referred to as the “Quiet Epidemic.”

Although the bacteria that causes Lyme disease has existed for at least tens of thousands of years, the disease was officially recognized after an outbreak in Lyme, Connecticut, during the 1970s. During this outbreak, neighborhoods of children and adults experienced symptoms such as flu-like illness, unusual rashes, swollen and painful joints, and even paralysis.

Black-legged Tick

Ixodes ticks, which range in size from a nymphal tick as small as a poppy seed to an adult tick about the size of a sesame seed, are responsible for transmitting bacteria. Unfortunately, many people do not realize a tick has bitten them because of a numbing enzyme that the tick secretes during the bite. These ticks wait for a warm-blooded host to pass by, then attach themselves for feeding (lymedisease.org 2025).

Persister Bacteria that is the root cause of Lyme Disease

Spirochete bacteria, the root of Lyme disease, is characterized by their spiral shape and move through body tissues using a twisting motion. Researchers at Johns Hopkins Institute found that Borrelia burgdorferi employs "tenacious trial-and-error movements to navigate tiny openings in blood vessel linings near bite sites. This movement helps the bacteria enter and leave the bloodstream, potentially infecting various organs" (Wadas, 2022). Additionally, they can evade the immune system and form dormant biofilms until reactivation is possible. The bacteria's behavior explains the disease's "relapsing and remitting" component - the ability to hide out, go dormant, and reactivate when its host is distressed (Berndtson, 2013).

Lyme Disease Symptoms

Common symptoms of acute Lyme disease include 

• Erythema Migrans Rash (typically, a bullseye rash appearance)

• Low-grade Fever

• Headache

• Fatigue 

• Muscle and joint pain

Some individuals may experience numbness or tingling sensations. Once the infection spreads beyond the skin, it can affect any system of the body, leading to various symptoms, including:

• Debilitating fatigue

• Headaches/migraines

• Arthritis

• Numbness and tingling sensations

• Nerve pain and weakness

• Heart problems such as arrhythmias

• Sleep disruption

• Problems with vision and hearing.

• Psychiatric symptoms: anxiety, depression, panic attacks, psychosis

• Brain fog, cognitive dysfunction, and memory loss

Myths vs. Facts

True or False: A bullseye rash always occurs with a tick-borne infection.

False. Not everyone experiences a rash with a tick-borne infection. In a study involving 3,000 Lyme disease patients, only about 40% reported recalling a rash. Another concern is that the Lyme rash may be misdiagnosed as another condition, including spider or bug bites, especially if the rash does not have a typical bullseye appearance (Johnson et al., 2014).

True or False: Ticks only carry Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria.

False. Tick-borne infections are caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. This statement is true, but it is important to note that deer ticks carry various co-infections, including Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and Toxoplasmosis, to name a few.

True or False: You will immediately become sick when bitten by an infected tick.

False. While some individuals display classic CDC Lyme disease symptoms and receive treatment promptly, others may experience a tick bite without noticing it. They might also develop flu-like symptoms during the spring and summer months, but if they do not develop a rash, their symptoms may be dismissed as a summer cold. Our immune system can effectively keep a pathogen in a dormant state until a future stressor weakens our defenses, allowing the bacteria to reactivate, so to speak.

True or False: Lyme disease can mimic various other illnesses.

True. Lyme disease is often referred to as "the great imitator" due to its broad range of symptoms, which can resemble various other conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and many other autoimmune conditions.

True or False: There is controversy surrounding Lyme disease due to the belief that Lyme is considered cured with a course of antibiotics.

True. Many patients report feeling medically gaslighted when it comes to Lyme disease, especially when their symptoms don't match the typical presentation. After completing a course of antibiotics, doctors often claim that the bacteria have been eliminated. If symptoms persist, patients are typically diagnosed with Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). However, both patients and Lyme-literate medical doctors (LLMDs) believe that the bacteria may still be present, as symptoms continue. Despite this, Western medicine often considers these patients to be cured, even though they continue to experience lingering symptoms (Fagen et al., 2023).

Chinese Medicine Theory on Lyme Disease

Gu Syndrome (Parasites), A Chinese Medicine Perspective

In Classical Chinese Medicine, parasites and bacteria that act as "stealth" pathogens—such as the one responsible for Lyme disease—are referred to as Gu Zheng, or "Possession Syndrome." The character for Gu is represented by a radical depicting three worms in a vessel, symbolizing the relationship between the host and the disease. These agents are considered "lurking pathogens" (Fruehauf, 2008).

Gu syndrome is characterized by a wide range of complex symptoms that do not respond well to either conventional or alternative treatments, much like Lyme disease. The syndrome typically begins with an infection caused by parasites, viruses, or bacteria, which can overwhelm the digestive and immune systems. This initial infection may lead to various neurological and mental-emotional issues. Additionally, Gu syndrome often has an autoimmune component.

The "lurking pathogen" can evade antibiotics in the host's immune systems, hide out in areas our body tends to hold latency, such as joints, or in biofilms in the gut lining, and create what Western Medicine calls "Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) or as patients refer to it as Chronic Lyme or Neurological Lyme.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Western Medicine Treatment

The Western medicine approach to diagnosing and treating Lyme disease involves a two-tiered test and a course of antibiotics. However, some symptoms may persist due to the bacteria and co-infections transmitted by ticks, such as Bartonella and Babesiosis. Delayed diagnosis or inadequate treatment can lead to late-stage symptoms affecting the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and nervous systems, making treatment more difficult and impacting quality of life.

Eastern Medicine Treatment

Let's take a moment to appreciate that Classical Chinese Medicine has developed diagnostic and treatment plans for persistent bacteria, such as Borrelia, based on classical texts that are still relevant today. This approach includes herbal Medicine and Acupuncture, incorporating a network of channels known as Divergent Channels. These channels primarily serve to divert pathogens away from the organs. Depending on the individual's condition, these channels can store the pathogens in a latent state or help eliminate them.

Acupuncture

Holistic Medicine, such as Acupuncture, considers the individual, their resources, and their diet and lifestyle conditions, treating them accordingly. Acupuncture benefits Lyme disease patients by optimizing the body's approach to healing, supporting the immune system, and clearing out "toxic heat" (aka bacteria). Acupuncture treatments can also assist patients who are undergoing antibiotics for Lyme disease.

Example Acupuncture Point: Baichongwu extraordinary point (Hundred Insect Nest) Located about 3 inches above the medial kneecap, this point specifically targets "parasitic diseases." It "cools the blood," clearing out toxins and inflammation.  

Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine receives the Gold Star regarding Lyme disease treatment protocols. Chinese herbal prescriptions work synergistically in what we call "formulas" to target the bacteria while supporting the immune system and bringing balance to the acupuncture meridians.

Hu Zhang (Japanese Knotwood) is in the "regulate blood" category and is known for its anti-spirochete bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Stephen Buhner, an Herbalist who wrote the book Healing Lyme, states that Japanese Knotwood "enhances blood flow, especially to the eyes, heart, skin, and joints, which makes it especially useful in Lyme as it facilitates blood flow to hard-to-reach places to kill the spirochetes." (Buhner, 2005).  

Stay on trails, avoid walking through tall grass for tick prevention

Prevention

I often recommend "time in nature" to my patients, so I never suggest avoiding the woods! However, taking precautions before heading out and performing a thorough tick check afterward is essential for staying safe. Nature provides remarkable healing benefits, making it important to prioritize safety while embracing its beauty and therapeutic effects.

Tips for Tick Prevention

Protective Clothing: Wear long-sleeve shirts, pants, and high socks. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks. Some outdoor clothing brands now carry pre-treated insect repellent gear.

Bug Repellent: DEET is effective as a tick repellent, however, can be harmful to the skin. A safer alternative is non-toxic plant-based alternatives. Refer to Lyme Alliance for details.

Stay on Trails: Avoid brushy areas and grassy paths. Stay in the center of trails to reduce contact with vegetation where ticks may hide.

Tick Check: Ticks can take several hours to attach, so check yourself every couple of hours. Don't forget to check your furry friend as well!

If you find a tick, follow the removal guidelines, save it, and send it to tick report.com. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop any signs or symptoms related to Lyme disease. If you have questions regarding how Acupuncture can support you, contact Dr. Jen

Stay tuned for the next blog: Part 2: Lyme Disease Co-Infections and Other Tick-borne Illnesses.

* The information presented on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider if you have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

References

Advocating nationally for quality, accessible healthcare for patients with Lyme disease  LymeDisease.org. (2025, January 24) https://www.lymedisease.org/ 

Johnson, L., Wilcox, S., Mankoff, J., Stricker​, R. B., Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, G, A., UB, A., U, C., G, Y., E, B., J, A., C, M., B, M., PC, R., A, S., SK, W., JN, A., AW, R., LA, C., … PP, K. (2014, March 27). Severity of chronic Lyme disease compared to other chronic conditions: A Quality of Life Survey  PeerJ. https://peerj.com/articles/322/ 

Fagen, J. L., Shelton, J. A., & Luché-Thayer, J. (2023, December 29). Medical gaslighting and Lyme disease: The patient experience  Pubmed Central https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10778834/ 

Wadas, G. (2022, December 19). Under attack: Researchers shed light on how Lyme disease infects the body  Johns Hopkins Institute for NanoBioTechnology https://inbt.jhu.edu/under-attack-researchers-shed-light-on-how-lyme-disease-infects-the-body/ 

Berndtson, K. (2013, April 23). Review of evidence for immune evasion and persistent infection in Lyme disease  International Journal of General Medicine https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3636972/ 

Fruehauf, H. (2008). Gu Syndrome: An in-depth interview with Heiner Fruehauf  Classical Chinese Medicine. https://classicalchinesemedicine.org/gu-syndrome-interview-heiner-fruehauf/ 

Buhner, S. H. (2005). Healing Lyme: Natural prevention and treatment of Lyme Borreliosis and its co-infections Raven Press.