Hyperthermia — Dr. Rawls’ Ratings
Efficacy: 3.5 stars
Safety: 1.5 stars
Cost: 5 out of 5 dollar signs
Ways to Administer: Patients lie in a special unit capable of being heated to 106° or 107° under anesthesia.
Bottom Line: Hyperthermia doesn’t make it to the top of my list due to its potential side effects, high cost, and lack of documentation for Lyme disease.

Overview

When undergoing hyperthermia treatments, you’re placed in a special device while under anesthesia. Your body temperature is slowly raised to 106° or, if tolerated, 107° by a trained professional for an average of 45 minutes (the time may vary according to the protocol being used). This type of aggressive heat therapy aims to kill Lyme disease-causing microbes and boost immune function.

Efficacy

I’ve encountered some individuals who’ve gotten better with this therapy. But more often than not, the people I speak with note temporary improvements before experiencing a return of symptoms that require additional treatment strategies to get back on track.

Safety

Documentation on the effectiveness of hypothermia for Lyme disease is sparse, and it can be tough on the body. Some of the side effects of hyperthermia include low blood pressure, tachycardia, seizures, skin lesions, and more. With each repeat treatment, the potential for harmful effects is compounded.

Cost

Hyperthermia isn’t performed in the United States; treatments come with a hefty price tag because patients must travel abroad to countries like Mexico and Germany to receive it.

Dr. Bill Rawls Treatment Guide

Dr. Bill Rawls’ Treatment Guide

Want to see more Lyme disease treatment ratings? See What Dr. Rawls has to say about popular treatments and therapies in his Lyme Disease Treatment Guide.

Dr. Rawls is a physician who overcame Lyme disease through natural herbal therapy. You can learn more about Lyme disease in Dr. Rawls’ new best selling book, Unlocking Lyme.
You can also learn about Dr. Rawls’ personal journey in overcoming Lyme disease and fibromyalgia in his popular blog post, My Chronic Lyme Journey.