Overview
Scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis (SSc), is a chronic, systemic autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by excessive collagen deposition, microvascular dysfunction, and immune-mediated inflammation. These processes lead to thickening and fibrosis of the skin and can extend to internal organs including the lungs, heart, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and vasculature.
The hallmark features of scleroderma are:
- Fibrosis: overproduction and dysregulation of extracellular matrix proteins by fibroblasts
- Vasculopathy: narrowing and damage of small blood vessels
- Autoimmunity: presence of specific autoantibodies and immune activation
Common Symptoms
Skin and Peripheral Vasculature
→ Skin thickening, tightness, reduced mobility
→ Raynaud’s phenomenon (often the earliest sign)
→ Digital ulcers, telangiectasias (capillary dilation)
→ Calcinosis cutis (calcium deposits under skin)
Organ System Involvement
→ Lungs
● interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension
→ GI tract
● dysmotility, acid reflux, malabsorption
→ Kidneys
● scleroderma renal crisis (life-threatening hypertension)
→ Heart
● arrhythmias, heart failure, pericardial disease
→ Musculoskeletal
● joint stiffness, tendon friction rubs
Fatigue, anxiety, and pain are common and significantly impact quality of life.
Root Causes & Triggers
01. TOXINS
→ Heavy metals
● cadmium, lead, mercury, molybdenum, antimony
→ Pesticides
→ Silica
→ Solvents
● trichloroethylene, vinyl chloride
02. INFECTIONS
→ Viral
● SARS-CoV-2
● EBV
● CMV
→ Lyme (borrelia)
● Especially in localized scleroderma
03. TRAUMA
→ Majority have major stressors (e.g., loss, divorce) in year pre-onset, higher in diffuse scleroderma
● Triggers via HPA axis dysregulation
→ Self-esteem conflict
● Life or a situation is unbearably hard.
→ One feels defensive and powerless.
Our Approach
Our approach understands that Scleroderma is the body’s intelligent response to chronic dysregulation across the Four Pillars: circadian disruption, toxic burden, unresolved infections, and unprocessed trauma.
Effective treatment begins by identifying which of these key levers are most disrupted in your biology and unique health story using functional blood analysis, specific immune testing, Bioresoance and Autonomic Response Testing.
Once we uncover your unique levers we work in sequence to systematically bring the body back into a state of healing. We first restore circadian rhythm integrity to recalibrate hormonal, mitochondrial, and immune timing. We then open the drainage pathways to ensure the body can safely eliminate what has been overwhelming it. From there, we reduce toxic burden, systematically address stealth infections in the correct order and resolve the trauma patterns that keep the nervous system locked in defense mode.
Autoimmunity heals when the terrain heals. The goal is not immune suppression, but restoration creating an internal environment where inflammation is no longer required and the immune system can finally return to balance, clarity, and trust.
References
- Sozeri B, Gulez N, Aksu G, Kutukculer N, Akalın T, Kandiloglu G. Pesticide-induced scleroderma and early intensive immunosuppressive treatment. Arch Environ Occup Health. 2012;67(1):43-7.
- Marie I, Gehanno JF. Environmental risk factors of systemic sclerosis. Semin Immunopathol. 2015 Sep;37(5):463-73.
- Marie I, Gehanno JF, Bubenheim M, Duval-Modeste AB, Joly P, Dominique S, Bravard P, Noël D, Cailleux AF, Benichou J, Levesque H, Goullé JP. Systemic sclerosis and exposure to heavy metals: A case control study of 100 patients and 300 controls. Autoimmun Rev. 2017 Mar;16(3):223-230.
- Marie I. Systemic sclerosis and exposure to heavy metals. Autoimmun Rev. 2019 Jan;18(1):62-72.
- Randone SB, Guiducci S, Cerinic MM. Systemic sclerosis and infections. Autoimmun Rev. 2008 Oct;8(1):36-40.
- Zou H, Rau A, Daveluy S. Scleroderma after COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination. Skinmed. 2023 Sep 29;21(4):253-256.
- Carroll M, Nagarajah V, Campbell S. Systemic sclerosis following COVID-19 infection with recurrent corticosteroid-induced scleroderma renal crisis. BMJ Case Rep. 2023 Mar 17;16(3):e253735.
- Zinchuk AN, Kalyuzhna LD, Pasichna IA. Is Localized Scleroderma Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi? Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2016 Sep;16(9):577-80.
- Wackernagel A, Bergmann AR, Aberer E. Acute exacerbation of systemic scleroderma in Borrelia burgdorferi infection. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2005 Jan;19(1):93-6.
Contents
The Autoimmune Revival Book
Inside the book, you’ll discover how modern science and embodied healing can work together to create sustainable vitality.
The Autoimmune Revival Free Course
The same breakthrough that saved my wife has now helped hundreds of patients break free from chronic fatigue, pain, and inflammation, naturally and permanently.
The Autoimmune Revival Book
Inside the book, you’ll discover how modern science and embodied healing can work together to create sustainable vitality.
The Autoimmune Revival Free Course
The same breakthrough that saved my wife has now helped hundreds of patients break free from chronic fatigue, pain, and inflammation, naturally and permanently.
