Functional Medicine for PANS in Michigan

Functional Medicine for PANS in Michigan

PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) are two conditions that profoundly impact children and their families—but are too often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or outright dismissed. At their core, both involve a sudden and intense immune reaction that causes the body to mistakenly attack the brain, leading to dramatic behavioral, cognitive, and emotional changes.

We see children who were developing typically and then—seemingly overnight—are consumed by overwhelming anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, tics, food restrictions, rages, or regression. These are not typical psychiatric issues. These are immune-driven brain inflammations that require a different lens.

Unfortunately, conventional medicine tends to compartmentalize these symptoms—referring families from one specialist to the next, often without ever connecting the dots or addressing what triggered the symptoms in the first place. The approach is reactive, not root-cause driven. Too often, the result is years of mislabeling and misguided treatment.

At Restorative Medicine Center, we do things differently. I don't focus on naming your child’s diagnosis—I focus on understanding why their immune system is attacking the brain in the first place. Our practice uses a Functional and Integrative Medicine model that combines advanced diagnostics with a deep understanding of infectious and environmental root causes. We go beyond the surface to investigate the microbial, toxic, and neurologic stressors that lie at the heart of PANS and PANDAS.

Understanding PANS: A Functional Medicine Perspective

PANS stands for Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome—a condition marked by the sudden appearance of severe psychiatric and neurological symptoms in a previously healthy child. When I say “sudden,” I mean overnight. Parents often describe it as though someone flipped a switch. One day their child was thriving, and the next, they were a completely different person.

At its core, PANS is a form of immune-triggered brain inflammation. The body, in an attempt to fight off an infection or environmental threat, becomes confused and begins to attack neural tissue—particularly areas of the brain responsible for mood, behavior, and cognition. It’s a medical condition that masquerades as a psychiatric one.

Common Triggers of PANS

In a Functional Medicine evaluation, we look far beyond symptom management—we search for the root causes of immune dysfunction. In the case of PANS, common triggers include:

• Infections – such as strep (PANDAS), Lyme disease, Bartonella, Mycoplasma, and other vector-borne or stealth pathogens
• Environmental toxins – mold exposure and mycotoxins are frequent culprits
• Neurologic stress – trauma, chronic stress, or ongoing sympathetic nervous system activation ("fight or flight")

Symptoms of PANS

The hallmark of PANS is the sudden onset of symptoms. Some of the most common include:

• Obsessive-compulsive behaviors (OCD)
• Severe separation anxiety or general anxiety
• Motor or vocal tics
• Emotional outbursts, rage episodes, or mood lability
• Sensory sensitivities
• Urinary frequency or regression in toileting
• Handwriting changes, cognitive fog, and academic decline

Why PANS Is So Often Misdiagnosed

Sadly, most children with PANS are first referred to therapists, psychiatrists, or neurologists—none of whom are trained to look for immune dysfunction. The result? Misdiagnoses such as:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• OCD
• ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Mood or Personality Disorders

Standard labs often come back “normal,” and when infections or inflammation aren’t actively considered, parents are told this is “just psychiatric” or “behavioral.” That couldn’t be further from the truth.

The Root Cause Triad in PANS

At the Restorative Medicine Center, everything we do revolves around understanding and addressing what we call the Root Cause Triad—the three primary drivers of immune dysfunction. In children with PANS, this triad offers a clear and practical framework to untangle complex symptoms and guide the path to healing.

Microbes

Infections are one of the most common—and most overlooked—root causes of autoimmune brain inflammation in children with PANS.

Many of the children I see have evidence of:

• Strep infections (PANDAS subtype)
• Vector-borne infections like Lyme disease, Bartonella, Babesia
• Respiratory pathogens like Mycoplasma pneumoniae
• Viral triggers or stealth microbes that evade conventional testing

The tricky part? Most of these organisms don’t show up on standard labs. False negatives are common, especially if the immune system is suppressed or the infection has become chronic. That’s why we use specialized testing panels and a deep clinical history to look for patterns—symptom clusters, family exposures, and overlooked vectors like ticks or mold.

Toxins

Toxins can either trigger PANS or significantly worsen the inflammatory response once it begins.

Many of our young patients have hidden exposures to:

• Mold and mycotoxins in homes or schools
• Heavy metals like lead and mercury
• Chemical toxicants from personal care products, pesticides, or flame retardants

These toxins confuse the immune system, disrupt detox pathways, and inflame the nervous system. And yet, they’re rarely evaluated in conventional care. At RMC, we test for environmental biotoxins and toxicants when clinically indicated—and when present, we implement gentle, layered detox strategies that won’t overwhelm your child’s system.

Stress Response

Here’s the piece most doctors overlook: chronic activation of the stress response can sustain or even re-trigger PANS symptoms, even when infections and toxins have been addressed.

This isn’t just psychological stress—it’s a biological hyperactivation of the amygdala and nervous system. Kids with PANS are often stuck in a fight-or-flight state, where even minor challenges feel life-threatening. Their brains are inflamed, their vagus nerve is offline, and their bodies can’t reset.

At RMC, we prioritize nervous system healing as a key pillar of recovery. This might include:

• Breathing techniques like 4-7-8 to regulate the vagus nerve
• Neuroplasticity exercises
• EMDR or other trauma-informed therapies (when appropriate)
• Foundational rhythms like sleep, hydration, and movement to stabilize internal signals

Functional Treatment Strategy for PANS at RMC

There is no one-size-fits-all protocol for PANS—and if someone tells you there is, you should keep looking.

At Restorative Medicine Center, our treatment strategy is highly personalized and deeply rooted in the unique biology and history of each child. The goal isn’t to suppress symptoms—it’s to stabilize the immune system, remove the triggers, and repair the damage done by the inflammatory process.

Timeline-Based Care: Stabilize → Identify → Repair

We use a layered, timeline-based strategy that’s designed to meet your child’s system where it is:

1. Stabilize – Support sleep, nutrition, hydration, and nervous system calm to reduce flares and create a foundation for deeper work.
2. Identify – Use labs and history to pinpoint the root causes (infections, toxins, stress response) and prioritize interventions.
3. Repair – Implement targeted treatments to reduce inflammation, clear infections, detoxify gently, and rebuild neurological resilience.

Targeted Therapies We May Use Include:

Antimicrobials

We address infections with a blend of herbal and/or pharmaceutical agents, depending on tolerance and clinical need. This may include:

• Antibacterials (for strep, Bartonella, Lyme)
• Antivirals or antifungals if viral load or Candida is involved
• Biofilm disruptors and immune modulators to enhance effectiveness

Anti-Inflammatory Support

Calming the immune system is critical. We use a range of supports including:

• Curcumin, omega-3s, glutathione, quercetin, and low-dose naltrexone
• Mitochondrial and methylation support to stabilize energy and mood
• Targeted supplements based on your child’s specific pathways and genetics

Nutrient Restoration and Gut Repair

Gut health and brain health are deeply interconnected. We often use:

• Comprehensive gut support protocols: probiotics, enzymes, mucosal healing agents
• Food-based interventions to calm the immune system without overly restrictive diets
• Nutrient testing and repletion for deficiencies in magnesium, zinc, B12, D, and others that are essential for immune and brain function

Detoxification Support

We address toxins with care. Our detox support strategies may include:

• Binders to gently remove mycotoxins or heavy metals
• Far infrared sauna therapy (or home alternatives) to support natural detox
• Clean air, clean food, and clean water strategies to reduce ongoing exposure

Nervous System Rewiring

We cannot heal the immune system without calming the nervous system. Many children with PANS are stuck in a fight-or-flight loop that blocks healing.

That’s why we incorporate:

• Breathing techniques like 4-7-8 and vagus nerve stimulation
• Neuroplasticity training to rewire overactive fear centers in the brain
• EMDR or somatic therapies when trauma or emotional dysregulation is a core component
• Gentle movement, sleep hygiene, and nervous system nutrition

Ready to Find Answers? Schedule Your Functional Medicine Evaluation for PANS Today

If your child is struggling with sudden emotional, behavioral, or neurological changes—and you’ve been told “it’s just anxiety,” or “they’ll grow out of it,” but your gut tells you otherwise—it’s time to dig deeper.

At Restorative Medicine Center, we specialize in uncovering the root causes behind PANS, PANDAS, and other complex immune-neuropsychiatric conditions. With advanced diagnostic testing, timeline-based care, and a deeply personalized approach, we help families move from chaos to clarity—and begin the real work of healing.

Whether you’re local or traveling from elsewhere in the state, our team is here to support your journey.

Serving Families Across Michigan, Including:

• Rochester Hills
• Troy
• Bloomfield
• Macomb
• Oakland County and surrounding areas

Contact Us Today

Restorative Medicine Center
📍 705 Barclay Cir, Suite 115
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
📞 Phone: 248.289.6349
📠 Fax: 248.289.6923
🕘 Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9AM–5PM | Friday: Closed
🌐 Website: www.restorativemedcenter.com