Autoimmune Disease and the Nervous System: How Holistic Care in Minneapolis Can Help
Autoimmune conditions can be frustrating, mysterious, and life-altering. If you’re navigating symptoms like fatigue, inflammation, brain fog, or flares that seem to come out of nowhere, you’re not alone—and you’re not imagining it. Many people with autoimmune issues feel dismissed, misdiagnosed, or left in the dark for years before receiving adequate care. Here in Uptown Minneapolis, our holistic care team supports people living with autoimmune disease through personalized, integrative care that includes nervous system support, functional medicine, and gentle therapies that honor your body’s complexity. There is help—and there is hope.
Outstretched hands bridging the gap
What Is Autoimmune Disease?
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system—your body’s built-in defense mechanism—begins attacking your own healthy cells by mistake. This can lead to chronic inflammation, tissue damage, and a wide variety of symptoms, depending on which part of the body is affected. Some common autoimmune conditions include Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and celiac disease.
Because autoimmunity can affect so many different systems, symptoms often show up in ways that seem unrelated at first. You might feel exhausted no matter how much you rest, experience brain fog that disrupts your focus, or have joint pain that comes and goes without explanation. Digestive discomfort, skin rashes, and shifting hormonal patterns are also common. If you’ve noticed these symptoms—especially if they tend to flare under stress or don’t respond to conventional treatments—it’s worth exploring whether an autoimmune process could be at play.
What Science Tells Us—and What It Doesn’t
Modern medicine has made important strides in understanding autoimmune disease. We know that genetics, infections, environmental toxins, and lifestyle factors can all play a role. There's also growing evidence that the nervous system—and particularly how it responds to stress—can impact immune function. When the nervous system stays stuck in a “fight, flight, or freeze” state, inflammation often increases, and the immune system can become dysregulated over time.
Yet despite these advances, there’s still a lot we don’t fully understand. Many autoimmune conditions disproportionately affect women, but research has historically underrepresented them. Symptom expression is highly individualized, and many people don’t meet the narrow diagnostic criteria used in conventional care. This can leave patients feeling unseen, misdiagnosed, or forced to prove their suffering.
That’s why a whole-person, integrative approach is so powerful. At Stockheart, we look at your body’s systems as interconnected—and we treat you as a whole human being, not just a diagnosis or lab result.
Why Autoimmunity Is So Complex
Autoimmune disease rarely has a single, simple cause. Instead, it emerges from a complex interplay of factors that accumulate over time. Genetics may lay the groundwork, but environmental exposures (like mold, heavy metals, or past infections), lifestyle patterns, gut health, hormonal changes, and emotional stress all shape the immune system’s behavior. The nervous system—especially if it’s been chronically activated by trauma, overwhelm, or over-responsibility—can be a major driver.
This is why symptoms may feel unpredictable or confusing. One day you might feel mostly okay; the next, you’re completely wiped out. We often describe this as reaching a “tipping point”—the moment when your body says enough. Understanding that your symptoms are not random, but part of a bigger story, can be a relief in itself. And it opens the door to healing.
How to Know If You’re Experiencing Autoimmunity
Here are some signs that you may be dealing with an autoimmune condition:
Persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
Brain fog or forgetfulness that disrupts daily tasks
Joint or muscle pain without a clear injury
Digestive issues like bloating, food sensitivities, or constipation
Skin problems such as rashes, hives, or unexplained irritation
Fluctuating symptoms or periods of “flares” and remissions
Cold hands and feet, hair thinning, or irregular menstrual cycles
If you’ve been told your labs are “normal,” but you still don’t feel well, you’re not alone. These symptoms are real and worthy of support—especially if they’ve been minimized or overlooked in the past.
Common Triggers & Natural Management Strategies
Autoimmune flares are often set off by factors that strain the body’s capacity to regulate inflammation. These triggers can vary from person to person, but common ones include:
High or ongoing emotional stress
Poor sleep or irregular sleep patterns
Processed foods, gluten, dairy, or sugar
Hormonal shifts (e.g., menstruation, postpartum, menopause)
Infections (viral or bacterial)
Environmental toxins like mold or pesticides
Natural management doesn’t mean “go it alone.” It means working with your body rather than against it. Here are a few supportive strategies we often recommend:
Nervous system support: Practices like breathwork, gentle cranial work, or acupuncture can help shift your body from survival mode into a more regulated, healing state.
Anti-inflammatory nutrition: Focusing on whole, unprocessed foods and identifying personal sensitivities can reduce the immune load and improve gut health.
Gentle movement: Activities like walking, stretching, or restorative yoga can support circulation and reduce joint stiffness without overexertion.
Prioritizing rest and pacing: Building in recovery time and honoring your energy limits can help prevent burnout and flare-ups.
Stress reduction and boundary-setting: Emotional stress takes a toll on the immune system—learning to say no and protect your peace is powerful medicine.
Community and support: Chronic illness can be isolating. Having a care team and a circle of support helps shift the healing journey from solitary to shared.
How Stockheart Whole Health Can Help
At Stockheart Whole Health in Minneapolis, we take a deeply integrative, trauma-informed approach to autoimmune care. That means we see and support your whole story—not just the part that fits in a diagnosis code.
Our work often begins with functional medicine testing, which can reveal hidden drivers of inflammation like gut imbalances, chronic infections, or nutrient deficiencies. From there, we build a care plan that’s as unique as you are. That may include:
Gentle chiropractic care using Directional Non-Force Technique (DNFT) to restore alignment without adding stress to an already sensitive system
Acupuncture or cranio-sacral therapy to calm the nervous system and support immune regulation
Nutrition and lifestyle coaching grounded in compassion—not restriction or shame
Collaborative care among practitioners who believe you, respect your wisdom, and work together on your behalf
Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been living with autoimmunity for years, we’re here to walk with you—not push you. And we’re proud to offer this care right here in the heart of Minneapolis.
Ready to Find Support?
If you're ready for care that listens to your story and honors your whole self, our team at Stockheart Whole Health is here to help. Reach out to book a discovery session or learn more about how our providers can support you.
Related Blog Posts & Next Steps
Looking to explore more? These blog posts may help you on your healing journey:
What Your Nervous System Has to Do with Chronic Pain
Gut & Digestive Imbalances: A Holistic Approach
Gentle Chiropractic in Minneapolis: What to Expect
You can also browse the full Stockheart Blog to learn more about functional, compassionate care options.
FAQ: Beginning Care at Stockheart Whole Health
Q: Do I need a referral to book with your team?
A: No referral is needed. You can book directly through our website or reach out if you’re unsure where to start.Q: What if I’ve tried chiropractic before and it didn’t help?
A: Many of our clients have felt let down by past care. Our approach is different . It’s gentle, precise, and rooted in nervous system safety. No cracking, no force.Q: Can I get acupuncture and chiropractic in the same visit?
A: Yes. We offer integrative, team-based care plans. Your provider will help you build a treatment approach that supports your goals and schedule.Q: Do you accept insurance?
A: We are out-of-network providers, but can provide superbills for reimbursement. Many of our clients also use HSA/FSA accounts.Q: What makes your care trauma-informed?
A: We move at your pace, prioritize consent, and never override your body’s signals. We see the whole person, not just their symptoms.If your body is asking for a gentler way forward, we’re here to walk alongside you.
No pressure. Just care that listens to your story and meets you where you are.📍 Serving the Twin Cities, including Minneapolis, Uptown, and South Minneapolis
📞 Book your discovery session.