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Autoimmune Conditions services offered in Portland, OR
Autoimmune conditions develop when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. Naturopathic physicians Rebecca Sand ND and Elizabeth Emrick ND at Open Wellness PDX offer comprehensive root-cause support for patients living with autoimmune diseases - including Hashimoto's thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus (SLE), Sjogren's syndrome, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune conditions. Their approach works alongside conventional care to address the triggers driving immune dysregulation, reduce inflammatory burden, and support quality of life. Call the Portland office, request a telehealth visit, or book online.
Autoimmune Conditions Q&A
What drives autoimmune disease?
Autoimmune conditions develop through a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental and physiological triggers. While genetics load the gun, research consistently points to modifiable factors that pull the trigger - including gut health, infections, toxin exposure, hormonal shifts, and nutrient status.
Key drivers of autoimmune activity include intestinal permeability (leaky gut) which allows immune-activating particles to enter systemic circulation; gut dysbiosis and microbiome imbalances; chronic viral or bacterial infections including EBV, Lyme, and H. pylori; environmental toxin and mold exposure; hormonal shifts since autoimmune conditions disproportionately affect women and estrogen, cortisol, and thyroid hormones all directly modulate immune activity; nutrient deficiencies including vitamin D, zinc, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids; chronic psychological stress and HPA axis dysregulation; and food sensitivities and inflammatory dietary patterns.
Understanding which of these triggers is most active in a given patient is the foundation of naturopathic autoimmune care.
How does naturopathic medicine support autoimmune conditions?
At Open Wellness PDX, Dr. Sand and Dr. Emrick work as partners in your care - complementing whatever conventional treatment you are receiving, not replacing it. Advanced lab testing including inflammatory markers, nutrient levels, hormone panels, and gut assessment helps identify the specific upstream drivers at work.
A naturopathic autoimmune plan may include therapeutic anti-inflammatory nutrition and elimination protocols; gut healing including dysbiosis treatment, intestinal permeability repair, and microbiome restoration; targeted immune-modulating nutrients and botanicals including vitamin D, fish oil, curcumin, quercetin, selenium, and zinc; amino acid support and nutrient optimization; hormone balancing particularly thyroid, estrogen, and cortisol; stress physiology and nervous system regulation; identification and treatment of underlying infections or toxic exposures; and pharmaceutical support including low-dose naltrexone (LDN) when appropriate.
Many patients with autoimmune conditions find that a naturopathic approach helps them reduce flares, lower their inflammatory burden, and feel meaningfully better - even when their underlying diagnosis remains.
To get started, call 503-770-0670, request a telehealth visit, or book online.