The thyroid plays a vital role in our health.
It produces hormones that regulate metabolic rate and our growth and development. Additionally it plays a critical role in controlling our heart rate, muscular and digestive function, brain development, and skin & bone maintenance. As with all bodily functions, balance is key to maintaining homeostasis in the system. When the thyroid is hyper or hypoactive, it can have a negative, cascading effect on the entire system.
When treating conditions of the thyroid, acupuncturists focus on the channel/pathway of which the thyroid is part. Acupuncture channels/pathways are named after the primary internal organs that they innervate. The body plane is woven 3-dimensionally by the fascia that runs longitudinally from head -to-toe or toe-to-head. As such, it encompasses all the organs, bodily tissues, nerves, and blood threaded into its matrix. Therefore, any disorder of the thyroid is related to and treated via the Stomach and Spleen acupuncture channels.
The thyroid may not seem related to the Stomach or spleen at first, but we will break it down, starting with iodine. The thyroid gland requires a lot of iodine to make hormones. Iodine is extremely important for brain development and brain health. It also prevents toxin buildup in cells and can treat both UTIs and bladder infections. Iodine kills all single-celled organisms including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. Interestingly, iodine is a required ingredient for your body to make strong stomach acid with a pH of less than 2. Proper stomach acid pH is necessary for effective digestion.
Sub-clinical hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid with a normal range TSH*) is very prevalent in the United States. It has been estimated that 80% of North Americans might fit the criteria for this condition and exhibit signs and symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland. The thyroid is like a sponge for toxins and tries to protect the body from chemicals, radiation, and background electrical frequencies that permeate our current environment including our food and water sources. Excess fluoride, glyphosates (insecticides), and GMOs in our food, too little iodine, and soy sensitivity are often part of the problem. Eating too much of the “unhealthy whites” (flour, rice, sugar, and potatoes) will often lead to chronic hypothyroid and metabolic syndrome characterized by abdominal obesity, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
Another common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s Disease which affects approximately 14 million people in the US. It is linked to weak stomach acid and/or iodine deficiency as well. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in countries with widely available iodized salt and other iodine-enriched foods. Iodine deficiency is the most common cause in other countries.” While genetics play a role, it can also be triggered by environmental factors including: carbohydrates, GMOs containing bacterial or viral DNA, and pesticides. When weak stomach acid fails to break down proteins into amino acids, the proteins are mistakenly absorbed in the small intestine, enter the blood steam, and the immune system attacks. As this process gets repeated over and over, chronic inflammation and leaky gut syndrome results in a full-blown autoimmune disease that can be difficult to turn around.
There are ways to reverse these types of conditions with a restricted diet including non-processed foods, supplements, and limited exposure to chemicals. Electroacupuncture is also an excellent therapy to charge up the acupuncture channels with free electrons so that the thyroid gland, spleen, stomach, and small intestine may heal together and return the body to a more balanced homeostatic state.
*Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. TSH is produced and released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland.
References:
Steve & Jeff
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17665-hashimotos-disease
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hashimotos-disease#
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20350284
https://naturemed.org/do-you-have-hypothyroid-or-hashimotos/
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