Autoimmune Truths Exposed: Healing Lupus Through Trauma Release and Integrative Medicine

As a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine who was once diagnosed with lupus, I’ve spent almost 20 years uncovering the real, root causes of autoimmune disease — and how to truly heal them.
This blog series, Autoimmune Truths Exposed, dives deep into the emotional, physical, and environmental layers of illness — and the integrative tools that can bring your body back into balance.
This is my story. My truth. And maybe, yours too.

Hello beautiful,

In a world that feels so rushed,
I’ve been craving more connection in my life.

Which means being open.
And sharing.

I’m challenging myself to expose more of my truth — unfiltered and uncensored — with you here in this intimate container.

My goal is to share once a week.
Intimate stories and everything I’ve learned along the way in my autoimmune journey and supporting others as a doctor.

I’ll also offer a tip at the end to help you integrate what I share.

The Beginning of My Autoimmune Journey

I experienced years of sexual trauma at the age of 7 and told nobody until I was 19.
(Breathe.)

I carried shame, confusion, guilt, and a lot of pain that stayed stored in my body.
And I pushed it down — way down — pretending it didn’t exist. For years.

Also part of home life:
A blended family.
A lot of struggles.
A violent home and neighborhood.

My parents loved me but were too busy working to notice something was wrong.
I hid it well.
I didn’t want to worry them because they were already so stressed.
My escape was dance and music.

When Suppression Becomes Sickness

As I got older,
the pain grew stronger and the whispers grew louder.
So I numbed my pain with drugs and alcohol instead.
Which was like pouring gasoline on a fire that was already burning.

Partying.
No sleep.
Junk food.
Loneliness.
Empty relationships.

It was the perfect storm.

Childhood trauma that caused faulty wiring in my nervous system.
Toxins in food, drugs, and alcohol.
Nutrient deficiencies.
Poor social connections.
Poor boundaries.
Putting others’ needs before mine (even at the age of 7).

Keeping that secret hidden and bottled up — that was the beginning of how I became physically affected.

There is now clear scientific evidence that trauma, emotional repression, and family dynamics contribute to disease (When the Body Says No, Dr. Gabor Maté).

Research also shows that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are strongly linked to autoimmune and inflammatory disorders later in life (American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Felitti et al., 1998).

And chronic exposure to environmental toxins and stress hormones can disrupt immune regulation, creating conditions where the body begins to attack itself (Frontiers in Immunology, 2021).

When My Body Said “No More”

Eventually my body forced me to pay attention.

Skin rashes.
Swelling everywhere.
Ulcers in my mouth.
Fevers, dizziness, and headaches.

It felt like there was a fire inside my body.
I was finally diagnosed with lupus at the age of 27.

But it took me years to connect it to my trauma.
At first, I thought it was something purely physical that needed to be fixed.

The Turning Point

I focused on nutrition and supplements.
And while that was helpful, it wasn’t enough.

I prayed a lot.
It was intense.

I got acupuncture.
I started to cry.
A lot.

I worked with plant medicine like ayahuasca.
Cried even more.

And I realized I was releasing something much deeper within me.
I was finally able to let go of my shame, my hate, my anger, and all the emotions that had kept me suffering.

The Science of Integration

I’ve been symptom-free for over 12 years. 🙌🏽
And I don’t take medication.

There wasn’t one single thing that cured me.
For me, it was everything.

A fully integrated approach that healed my mind, body, and spirit.

Studies now confirm that integrative therapies — such as acupuncture, meditation, trauma-focused therapy, and mind-body interventions — can down-regulate inflammation and support immune balance (Nature Reviews Immunology, 2021; Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2018).

And most importantly:
Finally loving myself.

Where I Am Now

I may not be suffering from lupus anymore,
but I’m still on a growth journey.

I’m stronger, wiser, happier, and more resilient than ever.

I’m grateful for the journey and all that I’ve learned.
It’s made me an amazing, compassionate mother, doctor, and human.

I am a woman in her power and in control.
And you best believe that I reclaimed my sexual energy for power and pleasure. 😉

If This Resonated with You

If this story touched something inside you, I’d love to hear about it.
Leave a comment below or share this with someone who needs to hear it.

If this was triggering for you:
Breathe.
Know that you are not alone.
Place a hand on your heart or give yourself compassion and love.
When you’re ready, move your body gently — walk, dance, stretch.

If you need more support, please reach out to a therapist or call the National Crisis Line: 988.

And if you’re ready to begin your own healing journey,
book a free discovery call with me