Your thyroid gland, which is located just below your larynx, regulates your metabolism. When there’s a problem with it, you may experience a number of different symptoms. Your thyroid produces two main hormones: triiodothyronine, or T3, and thyroxine, or T4.
There are several common thyroid disorders, and variations within those disorders. This is one of the main reasons you should have a customized treatment plan. Here are the most common thyroid disorders:
The symptoms that you’re most likely to experience vary depending on which thyroid disorder you have, as well as a host of other factors such as medications you’re taking and your medical history. However, some of the symptoms that are commonly associated with thyroid disorder include:
Just as your symptoms will depend in large part on your specific thyroid disorder, so will the most appropriate treatment plan. You may need medication, surgery, or other treatment. However, there’s a strong likelihood that acupuncture and massage therapy could be a beneficial part of your overall treatment plan.
The British Acupuncture Council created a Fact Sheet that summarizes recent studies on how acupuncture can be used to treat thyroid disease. For example, a random controlled trial and a separate observational study examined how acupuncture could be used in conjunction with medication to treat hypothyroidism. Both found evidence that acupuncture was beneficial.
Overall, the research has shown that acupuncture stimulates your nervous system and brings about several biochemical changes that may be beneficial if you have a thyroid disorder.
Similarly, massage therapy can be beneficial for people with thyroid disorders, especially those with hypothyroidism. Massage therapy improves your circulation, both of your blood and within your lymphatic system.
Massage therapy is known to reduce inflammation. If your thyroid disorder involves inflammation, massage therapy may reduce your symptoms.
Massage therapy reduces stress within your body, as well. If one of your symptoms is weight gain, lower levels of stress hormones may help you manage it.
If you’d like to learn more about complementary treatments for thyroid disorders, book an appointment online or by phone at Family Acupuncture and Wellness. You deserve a treatment plan that’s designed to address your issues in the context of your unique circumstances.
