Treatment Protocol

Chronic Lyme Disease Treatment

Our treatment program integrates multiple therapeutic modalities into a coordinated, individualized protocol designed to eliminate persistent Borrelia infection, restore immune function, and support full recovery.

Our Treatment Philosophy

Why Single-Modality Treatment Fails

Chronic Lyme disease is not a simple bacterial infection that responds to a single course of antibiotics. It is a complex, multi-systemic illness driven by persistent infection, immune dysregulation, chronic inflammation, and accumulated toxicity.

Standard treatment guidelines recommend 2-4 weeks of oral antibiotics for Lyme disease. While this may be sufficient for early, uncomplicated infections, it consistently fails patients with established chronic disease. The reasons are well-documented:

Our treatment protocol addresses each of these challenges simultaneously.
Treatment room at St. George Hospital Bad Aibling Germany

Program Structure

The St. George Lyme Treatment Program

Our Lyme treatment is structured into distinct clinical modules. Each module targets a specific aspect of the disease. Patients receive an individualized combination based on their diagnostic findings. Protocols are developed by Dr. Julian Douwes, Chief Medical Officer.

2 Weeks Inpatient0

Lyme Eradication Package

The core treatment module targeting Borrelia elimination through the synergy of controlled hyperthermia and targeted antimicrobial therapy.

Whole-Body Hyperthermia

2 sessions at 41.6–41.8 °C (106.9–107.2 °F) for 120 minutes each under continuous medical monitoring. Borrelia spirochetes become structurally compromised and highly vulnerable to antibiotics at these temperatures.

Combination Antibiotics

2 weeks of individualized IV and oral antibiotic combinations targeting all morphological forms of Borrelia: active spirochetes, cyst forms, and biofilm communities. Agents are selected based on sensitivity and co-infection profile.

Concurrent Support

Detoxification protocols to manage Herxheimer reactions, immune modulation with micronutrient infusions, and daily physical therapy throughout the 2-week program.
Whole body hyperthermia treatment beds at St. George Hospital Germany
St. George Hospital diagnostic laboratory

2 Weeks · For Co-Infections

Co-Infection Eradication Module

For patients with confirmed co-infections (Bartonella, Babesia, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Mycoplasma, and others), this module uses I.V. Laser Therapy (Photodynamic Therapy) combined with apheresis to target pathogens that do not respond to standard antibiotic protocols alone.

Apheresis & Plasma Exchange

Blood purification sessions to remove circulating pathogen fragments, immune complexes, and inflammatory mediators released during laser-induced pathogen destruction. For severe co-infection cases where the infectious and inflammatory burden requires more aggressive blood purification, Plasma Exchange and Red Blood Cell Exchange may be recommended beyond standard H.E.L.P. apheresis.

Concurrent Support

Co-infection-specific antimicrobial agents selected based on identified pathogens. Each co-infection may require different agents and treatment duration.

I.V. Laser Therapy (Photodynamic Therapy)

10 sessions of intravenous low-level laser therapy (LLLT) where laser light is delivered directly into the bloodstream via a fiber-optic catheter in a peripheral vein. The therapy works by stimulating mitochondrial function and activating cellular ATP synthesis, accelerating healing and immune response at the cellular level. Each wavelength targets different complexes of the mitochondrial respiratory chain:

  • Blue (405 nm) + Riboflavin — Primary antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action. Generates reactive oxygen species toxic to Bartonella, Babesia, and other intracellular pathogens. Enhances microcirculation and releases nitric oxide.
  • Green (532 nm) — Binds to hemoglobin, improving cell function, oxygen uptake, and blood rheology. Enhances oxygen availability in tissues harboring infection.
  • Yellow (589 nm) — Detoxifying properties. Stimulates serotonin and vitamin D metabolism. Supports liver detoxification pathways during antimicrobial treatment.
  • Red (635 nm) — Deepens tissue penetration. Anti-inflammatory, improves microcirculation, enhances mitochondrial ATP production. Stimulates immune response and blood flow.
  • Infrared (810 nm) — Deepest tissue penetration (5–7 cm). Activates stem cell production and growth factors. Optimal for reaching deep-tissue infections.
  • UV light — Immune activation and direct pathogen inactivation. Stimulates reactive oxygen species for antimicrobial effect.
Sessions combine multiple wavelengths in a protocol individualized to the patient’s co-infection profile. The therapy is scientifically validated, nearly side-effect-free, and minimally invasive.
1 Week · Gut Restoration

Microbiome Restore Week

Extended antibiotic therapy disrupts the gut microbiome. This dedicated module restores gastrointestinal health through direct microbiome transplantation and targeted detoxification, supporting long-term immune recovery.

Gastroscopy & Colonoscopy

Endoscopic procedures to assess the state of the gastrointestinal tract and deliver a living microbiome cocktail directly to the upper and lower GI tract for optimal colonization.

Bacterial Restoration

3 days of targeted bacterial enemas to reinforce microbiome diversity and support re-colonization of beneficial bacterial communities throughout the colon.

Detoxification

Concurrent detoxification protocols to clear residual antibiotic metabolites and support the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system during the restoration phase.

Medical endoscopy procedure at St. George Hospital Germany
Additional Therapies

Available for All Lyme Patients

Depending on individual diagnostic findings, any of the following therapies may be recommended in addition to or alongside the core modules:

Core Treatment Modalities

The Therapies That Make the Difference

Whole-Body Hyperthermia

Our flagship therapy for chronic Lyme. 2 sessions per Lyme Package at 41.6–41.8 °C (106.9–107.2 °F) for 120 minutes each under continuous medical monitoring. Borrelia spirochetes become structurally compromised at these temperatures, while concurrent IV antibiotics achieve dramatically higher tissue penetration. Heat shock proteins activate powerful immune responses.

IV Antibiotic Protocols

We use carefully selected combination IV antibiotic regimens that target all three morphological forms of Borrelia. Cephalosporins and macrolides address active spirochetes, while agents such as tinidazole and hydroxychloroquine target cyst forms. Biofilm-disrupting agents are used to enhance antibiotic penetration into protected bacterial communities.

H.E.L.P. Apheresis

This blood filtration technology selectively removes harmful proteins, lipoproteins, fibrinogen, and inflammatory mediators from the bloodstream. In Lyme patients, apheresis reduces the circulating toxic burden, removes immune complexes, and improves blood flow to tissues that harbor persistent infection. Patients typically experience rapid symptom improvement after sessions.

I.V. Laser Therapy (PDT)

Intravenous laser therapy delivers multiple wavelengths of light directly into the bloodstream via a fiber-optic catheter. Blue laser (405 nm) with Riboflavin generates reactive oxygen species toxic to intracellular pathogens. Red laser (635 nm) provides anti-inflammatory and mitochondrial support. Green laser (532 nm) improves blood rheology. UV laser activates immune function. This multi-wavelength approach reaches pathogens in tissues where antibiotics have limited penetration.

Immune Therapy

Thymus peptide therapy, high-dose IV vitamin C, glutathione infusions, and targeted micronutrient support are used to restore immune competence. Chronic Borrelia infection suppresses key immune pathways, and recovery requires active immune restoration. We monitor immune markers throughout treatment to guide therapy intensity.

Fever Therapy

Controlled therapeutic fever using bacterial lysates to stimulate the body's natural fever response. Unlike hyperthermia, fever therapy activates the full immunological cascade associated with natural fever, including cytokine production, immune cell mobilization, and enhanced phagocytosis. This therapy has been used at St. George Hospital for decades.

Doctor consultation at St. George Hospital Bad Aibling Germany
What to Expect

Your Treatment Journey

Treatment at St. George Hospital is delivered as a structured inpatient program. Here is what a typical treatment journey looks like:

Weeks 1–2: Lyme Eradication Package

Comprehensive diagnostics, followed by 2 whole-body hyperthermia sessions at 41.6–41.8 °C (106.9–107.2 °F) for 120 minutes each, concurrent combination antibiotics for the full 2 weeks, daily detoxification, immune support infusions, and physical therapy.

Weeks 3–4: Co-Infection Module (if indicated)

For patients with confirmed co-infections: 10 I.V. Laser Therapy (PDT) sessions using multiple wavelengths (blue 405 nm + Riboflavin, red 635 nm, green 532 nm, UV) delivered directly into the bloodstream via fiber-optic catheter. Combined with apheresis blood purification (including Plasma Exchange or RBC Exchange for severe cases) and targeted antimicrobial agents specific to the identified co-infections (Bartonella, Babesia, Ehrlichia, etc.).

Week 5: Microbiome Restore (recommended)

Gastroscopy and colonoscopy with transfer of a living microbiome cocktail, followed by 3 days of targeted bacterial enemas and concurrent detoxification. Restores gut health disrupted by extended antibiotic therapy.

Ongoing: Follow-Up Care

Structured outpatient protocol with oral medications, repeat laboratory testing at 3, 6, and 12 months, remote video consultations, and coordination with your home physicians. Additional blood purification (apheresis) or Neural Therapy (procaine) can be scheduled as needed.

Evidence & Outcomes

Clinical Results

Our treatment outcomes are tracked through serial laboratory testing and standardized symptom assessments. While individual results vary based on disease duration, co-infection burden, and prior treatment history, the majority of our patients experience meaningful clinical improvement.

Common outcome patterns include:

We are transparent with patients: chronic Lyme disease treatment is a process, not a single event. Most patients require ongoing management and may benefit from multiple treatment cycles. Full symptom resolution varies by case, and we set realistic expectations while working toward the best possible outcome for each patient.

Treatment Program Details

PATIENT EXPERIENCES

What Our Patients Say About Treatment

“The treatment protocol can seem daunting and a bit taxing, but honestly, the time went by fairly quickly and I bonded with many of the doctors and staff who genuinely cared about me and my needs.”

International Lyme Patient

“Already showing improvement after one hyperthermia treatment! This is exactly where she needs to be.”

International Patient’s Family Member

Ready to Begin Treatment?

Contact our team to discuss your case and learn whether our integrative Lyme disease treatment program is right for you.