At our clinic, we often see patients who have exhausted conventional options or are seeking more sustainable ways to manage their chronic conditions. One such patient came to us after battling ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune condition marked by bloody diarrhea, painful inflammation of the colon.
His journey began with a severe flare that landed him in the emergency room, where he underwent partial removal of his colon. Months later, during his second flare, he came to our clinic, desperate for relief. He was experiencing diarrhea more than 30 times a day and had difficulty eating, sleeping, and functioning normally.
We began by simplifying his diet, starting with rice porridge, then gradually adding applesauce and eggs to support digestion and provide gentle fiber and protein. Alongside dietary changes, we provided acupuncture and cupping therapy twice a week, and crafted a customized herbal formula to help calm inflammation, reduce stress, and support better sleep. Within two weeks, his symptoms had substantially subsided.
The same approach was used during his third and fourth flares, with equally encouraging results. After the fourth episode, he said something that marked a turning point: “My wife and I have decided to make this a regular part of our care. We want to be proactive instead of reactive.”
This shift in mindset—from crisis management to prevention and long-term health maintenance—is at the heart of what we do. For patients with autoimmune conditions like ulcerative colitis, even small triggers (like eating French fries while dining out) can cause inflammation to resurface. I explained to him that it’s not just the event itself, but the cumulative effects of daily stress, poor sleep, chemical exposure, and prior injury that create internal pressure, like magma beneath the earth’s surface. When it erupts, it finds the weakest spot.
As the saying goes, “It’s not the last straw that kills the camel—it’s all the straws before it.” Healing is not just about removing that last straw, but learning how to lighten the load before it becomes too much to bear.
At our clinic, we are committed to helping patients build resilience from the inside out through functional foods, herbs, acupuncture, and intentional living. For many, this means fewer flares, more control, and a better quality of life. For more information on treating autoimmune diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, please ask Dr. Yu Kang (404) 294-6284.