Therapy and Rehabilitation

Lyme disease infections are curable in most cases, but generally a long-term treatment up to several months is needed.

The BCA developed complex and holistic therapy schemes (particularly for chronic forms of Lyme disease) based on the ILADS guidelines (incl. J.J. Burrascano, 2008), the recommendations of the German Borreliosis Society and extensive experience by the cooperating physicians of the BCA.

The attending doctors (cooperating doctors of the Medical Partnership in the BCA and BCB, as well as other doctors across Germany and Europe) develop an individual therapy plan for every patient based on the diagnosis (complex anamnesis, physical examination and laboratory results).  Therapy plans (antibiotics) can be quite simply in terms of acute cases but tend to become complex when treating chronic forms of Lyme disease.

Concept of Therapy Possibilities and Stages (defined and adjusted individually for the patient):

Basis:  Antibiotic Treatment (“Augsburg Scheme” for several weeks/months - based on ILADS guidelines and recommendations of German Borreliosis Society)

+ supporting “Accompanying Therapies”, such as 

• "Milieu corrections" (incl. deacidification and detox)
• "Change of Diet" (alkaline and anti-inflammatory)
• Selected "Dietary Supplements & Natural Remedies"
• "Physio & Electro Therapies"
• "Mental coaching"
• Ambulant Rehabilitation with excercise for intensive strengthening of the immune system   

+  "Change of life style“

The main focus of each therapy is high dosed treatment with antibiotics for a period of several weeks under the surveillance of the physician in charge (mostly in the form of an infusion therapy). Herewith Borrelia bacteria in the body are fought and the immune system gets support in building up resistance.

According to our experience the successful treatment of chronically ill Lyme disease patients demands  additional "accompanying therapies“ and  a "change of life style“ of the patient.  As a result chronic inflammations can be reduced and the immune defense can be balanced out again.  The antibiotics are also supported in their function to detect and destroy Borrelia and other pathogens.

The BCA was especially designed to enable patients to get these "Accompanying therapies” in addition to a treatment with antibiotics (or even instead) on-site. The accompanying therapies are offered by the therapists and employees of the B-C-A Borreliose Centrum Augsburg Betriebs GmbH & Co. KG, which is commercially active, and are under medical supervision of the Medical Partnership in the BCA.

The range of services mainly consists of the following elements: naturopathic therapies, dietary supplements, wide range of physiotherapy, Photon- and electro therapies, nutritional advice and exercice programme Accompanying therapies(Link). 

Such “Accompanying therapies” can be purchased as single treatments or as weekly program Chronic Lyme disease "Ambulant Rehabilitation with Intensive Treatment“ in the BCA day medical clinic for one or more weeks http://www.b-c-bl.de/?id=90(Link).  

Usually the main issue of each therapy – as already explained above – is a highly dosed treatment with antibiotics for a period of several weeks under the surveillance of the physician in charge (mostly in the form of an infusion therapy).

Milieu therapy with nutritional advice:  measures that can be easily implemented, such as drinking plenty of fluid every day, plenty of fresh air, UV-light, laughing, etc.  The body usually needs a detoxication and strengthening of the organs (liver, kidneys and possibly the gastrointestinal tract).  Lyme disease patients often have a acidic milieu and this is what Borrelia bacteria need to survive.  The diet should be changed to an alkaline diet and additional alkaline supplements should be taken.  It is widely unknown that a some diets stimulate inflammations - therefore some foods should be avoided.  The diet should be changed (health, balanced and alkaline foods, plenty of vegetables and fruits, healthy fatty acids (omega-3), fish, Mediterranean food, etc.).

Special accompanying therapiesAccompanying therapies (Link) (e.g. a photon therapy or an oxygen therapy according to Ardenne) can, in most cases, lead to better results with the antibiotics and destroys Borrelia bacteria more effectively.

The side effects of the antibiotics can be reduced with the help of the oxygen therapy and special dietary supplements (including probiotics).  A special micro nutriment treatment (BCA Immune Package) was developed for this reason.

Please note: according to patient's wish and in case of specific indications (e.g. intolerance of antibiotics, etc.), an alternative medical therapy can be offered instead of usual antibiotic treatment.

Many Lyme disease patients suffer from severe pain, often also chronic pain, which is triggered by inflammatory reactions of the weakened immune defense.  One focal point of the Medical Partnership cooperating with the BCA is pain therapy.  This can take place in the form of prescriptions of pain relievers or so-called co-analgetics as well as in services offered by the team of therapists of the Borreliose Centrum Augsburg, such as acupuncture, TENS-therapy and Hightone therapy. Mental attendance - gain confidence and lose your fears:  Therapies to overcome an existing depression and to rearrange your mental position (therapists as a "Coach", therapy through dialogue, exchange of experience with other patients, stress relaxation and meditation techniques, techniques of problem solving and self-organisation).

Mental attendance - gain confidence and lose your fears: Therapies to overcome an existing depression and to rearrange your mental position (therapists as a „Coach“, therapy through dialogue, exchange of experience with other patients, stress relaxation and meditation techniques, techniques of problem solving and self-organisation).

Become active and build up your immune system with the a special early rehabilitation program in the BCA-Rehabilitation-Program:
According to your body capability you start a specific and individual rehabilitation and fitness therapy programme immediately. With a holistic and individually aligned therapy you can not only lessen the side effects of the treatment with antibiotics, but you also activate the body’s defences for the reconstruction and the strengthening of the immune system respectively.