Holistic immunotherapy care in Munich

The immune system protects the body from pathogens and removes altered cells. It has two parts. The innate defences react immediately and non-specifically. The acquired defences learn and produce antibodies and immune cells in a targeted way. Both work closely with the hormonal and nervous systems. That is why stress, lack of sleep, hormonal changes or a lack of nutrients can affect the defences. Pollutants and fragrances are also discussed in environmental medicine as possible burdens on the immune system. A healthy immune system is balanced: it responds when necessary and settles down again. If this balance is disturbed, frequent infections, but also allergies or autoimmune diseases, can result.

A congenital immune deficiency is rare. More often, the defences are temporarily weakened – for example by stress, lack of sleep, nutrient deficiencies, chronic illness, certain medications or after cancer treatment. A closer assessment is advisable, for example, with very frequent or severe infections, infections that respond poorly to usual treatment, or unusual pathogens. In that case we also recommend a specialist immunological examination. Often, though, easily treatable factors are found: a lack of iron or vitamin D, a thyroid condition or lasting overload. That is where we start.

The term immunotherapy is used in different ways in medicine. In cancer medicine it refers to treatments that direct the immune system specifically against tumour cells. This oncological immunotherapy is carried out in oncology centres and is not the subject of this page. In allergology, specific immunotherapy means desensitisation. Our holistic immunotherapy is something different: a concept of assessment, correcting deficiencies and complementary methods intended to support the body's own defences. If you are receiving or have received cancer treatment, we coordinate every complementary measure with your treating oncologists.

In intravenous laser therapy, light of a particular wavelength is guided through a thin needle directly into a vein. The procedure is based on the idea that the light stimulates blood cells and metabolic processes. Prof. Schulte-Uebbing has written on this in several specialist articles, for example “Intravenous Laser Therapy as an Integrative Procedure in Immunology” (Journal of the Physicians for Naturopathy, 2014) and “From the Immunological Practice. Intravenous Laser Therapy” (Jameda expert guide, 2013). Its effectiveness has not been conclusively proven scientifically. Whether the procedure is an option for you is something we discuss openly. It is explained in detail on the Intravenous laser therapy page.

Acupuncture, including ear acupuncture, has been a focus of our practice for decades. We use it as a complement, for example for stress, burnout syndrome, states of exhaustion, weak defences and frequent infections, and alongside treatment for cancer. Acupuncture is based on the idea in Traditional Chinese Medicine that the body's functions can be regulated through certain points. Prof. Schulte-Uebbing has been a member of the German Medical Acupuncture Association (DÄGfA) for decades, has taught courses there as a lecturer and holds the additional qualification in acupuncture. For strengthening the defences, the effectiveness of acupuncture is not sufficiently proven scientifically. We see it as a complementary building block.