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Lyme Disease

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Lyme Disease Treatment

The diagnosis of Lyme disease is made by a clinical determination and presentation along with a thorough history made by your provider. There are many other factors that play a supportive role in making this diagnosis such as symptoms, observations, exposure and diagnostic tests.

Here at Rapha Health and Wellness Center we follow the recommendations of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) whose guidelines emphasize patient-centered, individualized specific care.

There are many medical controversies surrounding Lyme disease and has caused division regarding the best approach for treating persistent Lyme when compared to the CDC and IDSA guidelines. Therefore, understanding that the ILADS guidelines are based on the best available evidence, clinical expertise and patient centered values. Treatment will consist of a careful assessment and re-assessment to guide and help direct ongoing treatment decisions.

Please call the office for more information and for scheduling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you contract Lyme?

From a black-legged tick. There are two types of black-legged ticks that transmit the Borrelia burgdorferi. In the Northeast the Ixodes scapularis and in the upper Midwest the Ixodes pacificus. Black-legged ticks are also known to transmit Borellia miyamotoi and Borrelia mayonii. Ticks also carry other infectious agents including Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia and Bartonella.

Does the tick have to be engorged for an infection to occur?
NO! It is possible to be infected for less than 24 hours. And in most cases ticks aren’t even visible due to the size of the nymph.
If a patient has a Bull’s eye rash do they need a Lyme test?
No, the EM rash is Lyme and they should be treated. In some cases many patients don’t recall a rash and the appearance of a Bull’s eye doesn’t have to be present. Or a patient could present with an atypical rash.
What are the signs and symptoms of early or acute Lyme?
  • Rash (bull’s eye)
  • Atypical rash or other appearance
  • Fever headache
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • A “summertime flu” without the rash

Once the infection spreads it affects other areas of the body. Symptoms include:

  • Headaches
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Muscle pain
  • Arthritis
  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Nerve pain and weakness
  • Anxiety
  • Heart problems
  • Depression
  • Palpitations
  • Irritability
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Psychosis
  • Vision and hearing problems
How do you remove a tick?

Use tweezers to grasp as close to the skin as possible. Pull the tick straight out, do not twist. Afterwards, squeeze, crush or suffocate the tick and clean the skin. Then send the tick to a specialized lab for testing.

Can people get multiple tick infections from the same tick?
Yes, one tick can transmit multiple infections from the same attachment. Make sure you are tested for all the tick infections in your area.
What is detoxing?
Detoxing is the process of removing built up toxins which occur during treatment. Certain medications and herbs are frequently used. Speak with your provider about specific recommendations.
What is a Herxheimer reaction?
Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions (herx) can occur during treatment for spirochetal infections. A herx happens when the bacteria dies and produces toxins. Symptoms often become much worse during this reaction.
Which diseases are often mistaken for Lyme?
Lyme Disease can be misdiagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, ALS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Anxiety, Depression, Lupus, Connective Tissue Disease, and many more.

Are you ready to begin living again?

At Rapha Health and Wellness, our approach to your care follows a holistic and functional pathway addressing the root cause and imbalances within the body rather than just focusing on symptoms. Contact us to begin your journey on a pathway to wellness.