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Vector-borne Illness
Support for Lyme Disease & Co-infections
When dealing with Lyme and other vector-borne illnesses, it rarely comes down to a single infection or a single solution. Our work focuses on understanding the full picture: how infections, the immune system, the environment, and the nervous system interact to shape both symptoms and recovery.
We specialise in supporting individuals with Lyme disease and co-infections, recognising that these conditions can affect multiple systems in the body and often present in complex, overlapping ways.
Rather than focusing solely on the infection itself, we look at the factors that may be preventing the body from healing effectively. One of the most commonly overlooked aspects is Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). For many people, especially those with a history of mould exposure, ongoing immune activation can keep the body in a state of chronic inflammation. This immune dysregulation can significantly impact how the body responds to Lyme and co-infections, often making recovery slower or more difficult if not addressed alongside the infections themselves.
We also recognise the role of other environmental triggers, particularly chronic viral or bacterial infection, in driving this immune imbalance. Addressing these factors can be a key turning point for individuals.
Alongside this, our approach places strong emphasis on the nervous system. Chronic illness, ongoing symptoms, and the stress of long term health challenges can keep the body in a heightened state of alert. Over time, this can affect immune function, resilience, and the body’s capacity to recover. We integrate nervous system regulation into our work, helping to create the internal conditions needed for healing.
We consider the impact of trauma and emotional health. This can not be separated from physical illness - experiences of stress or dysregulation from the past and/or present can influence how the body responds to both infection and treatment. Supporting emotional wellbeing is not separate from physical recovery; it is an important part of it and an area that common antibiotic therapies are not addressing.
Our approach is intentionally holistic. By addressing infections, immune function, environmental influences, and nervous system health together, we aim to support a more sustainable and comprehensive path to recovery.
CIRS Background and Development
CIRS is not currently a recognised condition in the UK, although it is in the USA. Dr Ritchie Shoemaker has pioneered the study of CIRS, identifying the condition through developed lab tests to characterise exactly the nature of the condition as each individual is unique within the CIRS umbrella. Dr Shoemaker worked together with Dr Jimmy Ryan to work through all the possible inflammatory genome changes that may be occurring, and narrowed their findings down to develop what is now known as the GENIE test. This test measures the changes in up or down-regulation of inflammatory genes. The GENIE test gives tremendous insight into the cause or trigger of the condition. For example, LYME has a particular genetic 'fingerprint' that can be observed on this transcriptomics test, which is different to mould or actinomycetes. We can also detect bacterial or viral triggers, which can provide valuable insight to someone with very poor health. Dr Shoemaker developed a comprehensive protocol to treat CIRS patients known worldwide as the 'Shoemaker Protocol'.
Further information about CIRS can be found at www.survivingmold.com and www.cirsx.com. Julia Davies is a certified Proficiency Partner of Dr Shoemaker.