What if chronic Lyme disease is not simply about finding and eliminating a single pathogen? In this episode of the Spectrum of Health podcast, Dr. Christine Schaffner sits down with Dr. Bill Rawls, medical director of Vital Plan and an expert in complex chronic illness, to explore a different way of understanding Lyme disease and the chronic symptoms that can accompany it. Drawing from his own experience with Lyme disease and more than 20 years of studying chronic illness, Dr. Rawls explains the concept of stealth pathogens, why microbes can persist in the body, and how cellular stress may create an environment in which dormant microbes become more active. They explore the relationship between Lyme and other stealth pathogens, the importance of nervous system regulation and sleep, cellular repair and autophagy, and why supporting the body's overall resilience may be just as important as addressing microbial load. Dr. Christine and Dr. Rawls also discuss nutrition, movement, detoxification, and botanical medicine, including herbs such as Japanese knotweed, cat's claw, Chinese skullcap, and Cryptolepis. This is a deep conversation about moving beyond a narrow, targeted approach and toward a more comprehensive understanding of the interconnected systems involved in chronic illness. Listen in as they explore what it means to support the body at the cellular level and create the conditions for greater regulation, resilience, and healing. Connect with Dr. Christine Schaffner Website: https://drchristineschaffner.com/pages/sensitive-stack Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drschaffner/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drschaffner Connect with Dr. Bill Rawls RawlsMD.com Vitalplan.com

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