Autoimmune Conditions Root Cause Care
Reviewed by Dr. Martin Hart , DC & Dr. Koji Aoki, DC
Root-Cause Functional Care for Complex Chronic Immune Conditions
Autoimmune and immune-mediated conditions can be complex, unpredictable, and deeply disruptive to daily life. Many individuals experience symptoms that span multiple body systems and evolve over time, making it difficult to understand why their immune system is reacting the way it is.
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At Keystone Total Health, care is guided by Dr. Martin Hart, DC, and Dr. Koji Aoki, DC, who work with individuals navigating autoimmunity, mold illness, Lyme disease, and other complex chronic health patterns. Our clinic is located in Columbia, Tennessee, serving the greater Nashville area and welcoming clients from across the United States.
Understanding Autoimmune Conditions
Autoimmune conditions are rarely isolated events. In many cases, they reflect broader immune dysregulation influenced by multiple systems, including gut health, infections, environmental exposures, stress physiology, nutrient status, and genetic susceptibility.
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Dr. Hart and Dr. Aoki approach autoimmune care by asking deeper questions, such as:
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What factors may have triggered immune imbalance?
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Why is inflammation persisting?
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Which systems may be perpetuating immune activation?
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This systems-based perspective allows for a more comprehensive and individualized understanding of autoimmune conditions.
When Immune Systems Get Triggered
Your immune system is intelligent and protective. When autoimmune symptoms develop, it is often because the immune system is responding to underlying stressors rather than acting without reason.
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These stressors may include chronic or unresolved infections, such as those explored in our Lyme Disease root-cause care, biotoxin exposure, including patterns seen in Mold Illness (CIRS), or digestive and gut-immune imbalance, which we address through our Gut & Digestive Issues care.
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Additional factors such as environmental toxin exposure, nutrient or mineral depletion, chronic stress, or impaired detoxification can further strain the body’s ability to regulate inflammation. When multiple systems are under stress at the same time, the immune system may remain in a constant “on” state.
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Rather than focusing only on suppressing immune activity, a root-cause approach seeks to understand why the immune system is activated and what the body needs to regain balance and resilience.
What Is Autoimmunity?
Autoimmunity refers to a state of chronic immune activation and dysregulation, where the immune system produces ongoing inflammatory signals that may affect the body’s own tissues. Rather than being random or self-destructive, autoimmune activity is often the body’s response to persistent internal or environmental stressors.
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Autoimmune and immune-mediated conditions may affect the thyroid, nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, joints, and connective tissue, often involving overlapping inflammatory and immune pathways.
Common Complex Autoimmune & Immune-Mediated Conditions
Dr. Hart and Dr. Aoki commonly work with individuals navigating complex autoimmune and immune-mediated patterns, including but not limited to:
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Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (autoimmune thyroid disease)
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Celiac disease and gluten-related immune reactivity
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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and central nervous system inflammation
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MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) and histamine-driven immune responses
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Autoimmune arthritis and connective tissue inflammation
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Immune-mediated neurological and inflammatory conditions
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While each condition presents differently, many share common underlying drivers, such as immune dysregulation, gut permeability, environmental exposure, nervous system stress, and impaired detoxification.
Mary M. • Keystone Total Health Patient
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"I have seen countless doctors, and tried just about every treatment. Nothing has helped like the treatment Dr. Aoki is providing. I used to think what I have is too complicated for any doctor to figure out, but he has given me hope again."
Why Autoimmune Conditions Become Chronic
Autoimmune symptoms often persist when the drivers of immune dysregulation remain active. These drivers may include:
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Chronic immune activation
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Environmental or biotoxin exposure
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Gut barrier dysfunction and immune signaling
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Nervous system dysregulation
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Mineral and nutrient depletion
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Impaired detoxification capacity
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This is why many individuals with autoimmune conditions also experience symptoms associated with Chronic Fatigue, Gut & Digestive Issues, and Hormone Imbalances.
Common Autoimmune & Inflammatory Symptom Patterns
Autoimmune conditions can present with a wide range of symptoms that may fluctuate over time.
Neurological & Cognitive Symptoms
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Brain fog
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Headaches
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Sensory sensitivity
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Dizziness or balance changes
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These patterns are commonly seen in conditions such as MS, MCAS, and chronic inflammatory neurological conditions, and may overlap with Lyme Disease.
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Digestive & Immune Symptoms
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Food sensitivities
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Gluten reactivity
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Bloating or irregular digestion
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Histamine-related reactions
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These symptoms are often associated with Celiac disease, MCAS, and underlying Gut & Digestive Issues.
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Musculoskeletal & Connective Tissue Symptoms
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Joint stiffness or discomfort
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Muscle aches
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Migratory pain
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Energy & Systemic Symptoms
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Chronic fatigue
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Exercise intolerance
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Sleep disruption
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Energy-related symptoms frequently align with Chronic Fatigue patterns.
Here’s How We’ll Do This Together
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Book Your Keystone Root Cause Analysisâ„¢
During your initial one-hour appointment with one of our practitioners, the Keystone Root Cause Analysis™ provides a comprehensive, root-cause evaluation that reviews physical, environmental, and social factors to understand your symptoms and identify personalized next steps.
How Autoimmune Patterns Are Evaluated at Keystone Total Health
Through the Keystone Root Cause Intensive™, Dr. Hart and Dr. Aoki evaluate autoimmune patterns through a root-cause functional framework focused on identifying why immune activity is elevated, rather than addressing symptoms alone.
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Evaluation may include:
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A comprehensive health and symptom history
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Assessment of immune and inflammatory patterns
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Personalized functional testing when appropriate
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Evaluation of gut integrity, detoxification pathways, and nutrient status
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Many individuals pursue this evaluation through the Keystone Root Cause Intensive, which provides a structured and immersive process for complex chronic illness.
Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions can look different for every individual. The questions below explain common symptom patterns, overlapping contributors like mold illness and Lyme disease, and how Keystone Total Health approaches root-cause functional evaluation for clients locally and nationwide.
What is autoimmunity?
Autoimmunity involves immune activity directed toward the body’s own tissues and is often associated with chronic inflammation.
What symptoms are linked to autoimmune patterns?
Symptoms may affect joints, skin, digestion, thyroid function, energy, mood, or neurological health.
Can mold illness contribute to autoimmunity?
In some individuals, ongoing immune stress from mold-related illness may overlap with autoimmune inflammation.
Can Lyme disease trigger autoimmune symptoms?
Lyme-related immune activation may contribute to inflammatory or autoimmune-like symptom patterns in some cases.
Why do autoimmune symptoms vary so much?
Autoimmune patterns are influenced by genetics, environment, immune regulation, gut integrity, nutrient status, and toxic burden.
How is autoimmunity evaluated?
Is autoimmunity always progressive?
Evaluation focuses on identifying contributors to immune dysregulation rather than suppressing immune activity alone.
Not necessarily. Supporting regulation and reducing stressors may help stabilize or improve symptoms.
Do you support autoimmune clients nationwide?
Yes. Keystone Total Health supports clients nationwide through in-person intensives and virtual follow-up when appropriate.
"When I work with any patient who is diagnosed with an Autoimmune condition, I work to determine what is triggering the immune system. Everyone I see is different, even if they have the same diagnosis. I want you to feel like yourself again and empowered to be self-sufficient. I know there’s always a reason for certain symptoms, even if it is not clear at first."
— Dr. Koji Aoki, Keystone Total Health
Why Autoimmune Conditions Are Often Misunderstood
Autoimmune and immune-mediated conditions are frequently misunderstood because:
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Symptoms may shift between systems
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Inflammation does not always follow predictable patterns
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Standard labs may appear inconclusive
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Environmental and infectious contributors are often overlooked
A root-cause approach helps clarify why autoimmune activity persists and why symptoms may evolve over time.
Who Autoimmune Care May Be Appropriate For
A Practitioner-Led, Systems-Based Evaluation
Autoimmune evaluation may be especially helpful for individuals who:
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Have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, MS, Celiac disease, or MCAS
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Experience persistent inflammation, fatigue, or neurological symptoms
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Suspect environmental triggers such as mold exposure
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Have overlapping conditions such as Lyme disease or chronic fatigue
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Feel their immune symptoms are not fully explained
Autoimmune Care Through the
Keystone Root Cause Intensive™
At Keystone Total Health, autoimmune care is typically provided through the Keystone Root Cause Intensive™, a focused, all-inclusive program designed to bring clarity and direction within a structured timeframe.
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The process includes:
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A complimentary discovery call
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The Keystone Root Cause Analysis™ (new client appointment)
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Advanced functional evaluation when appropriate
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A personalized care plan developed by Dr. Hart and Dr. Aoki
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Ongoing support and reassessment
Follow-up visits after the Intensive may be conducted virtually when appropriate.
Ready to Take
the Next Step?
Autoimmune conditions look different for every individual. Our role is to help you understand your unique immune patterns and provide structured, personalized guidance based on careful clinical analysis—not assumptions or one-size-fits-all solutions.
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​If you are navigating an autoimmune or chronic inflammatory condition and are seeking a practitioner-led, root-cause-focused evaluation, we invite you to schedule a complimentary discovery call.