Acupressure Points for Thyroid Ailments
Many of us are lucky not to suffer from thyroid ailments! When the thyroid gland, located in the neck region, is fully functional, we have abundant energy, and our metabolism functions well. The thyroid is a vital organ that supports and regulates growth throughout the body’s development. However, when this gland malfunctions, it provides either more or less of the thyroxin hormone, and all goes haywire.
These disorders can range from a nontoxic goiter to thyroid cancer. However, the most common thyroid disorder is the abnormal production of thyroid hormones. If one has too much of the hormone, it is known as hyperthyroidism, as it produces insufficient amounts of the hormone. In most cases, medications are provided for extreme cases; a mild case of thyroid can be treated with acupressure points for thyroid ailments.
The Important Role of Acupressure Therapy
When examining thyroid conditions, symptoms are not always present early and can eventually affect every organ in the body. They instruct the organs on how fast or slow they should function. With acupressure therapy, one can treat thyroid ailments early, especially if one does not know that one has a dysfunctional thyroid.
Acupressure Points for Thyroid Infographic:
As thyroid hormones regulate your metabolism, the most common related symptom is tiredness. Either one can gain weight, or the opposite can occur, resulting in weight loss. It can lead to obesity and is an essential endocrine hormone for a well-functioning body.
Acupressure Points for Thyroid:
One can cure it naturally by participating in Naturopathy, Yoga, and Acupressure; however, first, one must confirm it through a lab test.
One finds the thyroid gland just under your skin on the front of your neck, which helps create a perfect metabolic rate, and when not functioning according to plan, it could speed up or slow down your metabolism and lead to the following symptoms:
Thyroid Symptoms
- One gains weight
- Exhaustion
- One has cold hands and feet
- Difficulty remembering and focusing
- Leads to anxiety
- Leads to Depression
- It can make one constipated
- One can lose one’s hair
This list can go on and sometimes includes a dysfunctional female reproductive system with menstrual disorders, breast cancer, and endometriosis.
Acupressure Points for Nausea & Vomiting
Discovering Thyroid Difficulties Using Acupressure Therapy
When one uses acupressure therapy, it is highly beneficial as it simultaneously detects and helps cure the disorder. The reason for this is that when applying acupressure, tenderness or severe pain indicates that one has a thyroid problem.
Acupressure points for thyroid conditions:
The Third Eye or GV24.5
The Third Eye, located in the center between your eyes, is a high-pressure point to use for thyroid problems. To stimulate this point, apply firm pressure for two minutes while closing your eyes and breathing deeply. Always remember that when applying pressure to acupoints, one can repeat the application of pressure to the point at two-minute intervals. This acupressure point also helps relieve sinus problems, headaches, congestion, and eyestrain.
Acupressure Points Chart – For Relieving Pain
The Elegant Mansion or K 27
The Elegant Mansion or K 27 is found on the chest and is a powerful point for not only treating thyroid but also helping relieve:
- Back pain
- Sore throat
- Chest pain
- Anxiety
- Difficulties with breathing
- Thyroid gland agitation and irregularities
This point helps one to breathe deeply, as it releases endorphins that help relieve pain. It reinforces the immune system and helps strengthen your respiratory system while boosting natural energies.
One can find this reflexology point by placing your fingertips below the collarbone. By rubbing firmly, you will feel an indentation and some soreness. Once you reach this point, you feel a connection with your chest and throat when breathing deeply. Press firmly on this pressure point for 8–10 minutes at least three times daily.
Acupressure Points to Induce Labor
The Heavenly Pillar – B10
One finds two pressure points on the back of your neck where the vertebra forms a bump when tilting your head forward. This is known as the Heavenly Pillar and helps release energy to reconstruct the flow of Qi to the thyroid. One needs to stimulate both of these acupressure points on either side, above the bony protrusion, until tender spots are found. You need to massage, press, and hold each point until you feel a relaxing numbness. It can take several minutes to find out if you have never worked with them.
Alternatively, you can massage these points with a circular motion for eight minutes, three times daily, using your fingers and breathing deeply. This point is significant for treating:
- Sore throats
- Stress
- Overexertion
- Burnout
- Heaviness in the head
- Thyroid
Acupressure Point on the Soles of Your Feet:
Another excellent acupressure point for thyroid disorders is applying pressure to the points located on the soles of your feet, near the big toe. Here, one can apply pressure with one’s finger for up to two minutes. Another excellent method is to use a golf ball and move your feet over it, as your feet have many acupressure points that can help heal various ailments in the body. This will also help you relax and alleviate the pain you experience in your feet.
Acupressure is a Super Remedy:
Whether you are practicing yoga, exercising, or making lifestyle changes to support thyroid health, using the acupressure points for thyroid disorders mentioned here can help balance and stimulate the thyroid gland. It will help to enable the flow of energy to move and restore your thyroid gland. However, it is essential to consult a doctor for medical advice before commencing treatment. The guidance mentioned here is not intended as a replacement; it can be used in conjunction with your medication.
Home Remedies for Thyroid:
If the thyroid does not function properly, it can lead to various health issues. The gland can cause a Goiter, Graves’ disease, hyperthyroidism, or hypothyroidism. The butterfly-shaped glands are situated over the windpipe at the base of your neck. The gland produces hormones that regulate your metabolism and other body processes.
Whether it is over- or under-produced, it has a profound impact on body functions. The brain regulates the thyroid through the pituitary gland, producing a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The gland signals the thyroid to extract iodine from the bloodstream and convert it to iodine, the only tissue in the body that uses it.
Although only a small amount is needed to produce the T3 or T4 hormone, a deficiency can lead to an overgrowth known as a goiter. Thyroid disorders are more common in women than men. In most cases, the problem is triggered by the female sex hormone. Alternatively, it can be caused by stress and can occur at any age.
Sometimes, it is hard to detect if you have a thyroid problem, which can be split into two types: hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. So, how do you test yourself for it, and what are the symptoms? We are here to help you find the answer and provide natural home remedies for thyroid treatment.
Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism:
Hyperthyroidism is generic, and the most common one is Graves’s disease. There is an overproduction of the hormone present, which speeds up your metabolism. The symptoms range from feeling on edge most of the time to nervousness, insomnia, hand tremors, and increased appetite, to name a few.
You can even notice a weight gain as the thyroid produces an excessive amount of TSH. Hypothyroidism is known as myxoedema and is a risk when babies are born with it. The disorder can cause mental retardation and abnormal growth. If treated with a thyroid hormone within the first few weeks, it can prevent the above from happening. However, the child must be on the medication throughout their life.
Another common disorder with an underactive thyroid is Hashimoto’s, as the gland becomes inflamed and causes it to enlarge. You can even get hypothyroidism from a hyperthyroidism treatment. The most common symptoms are weight gain, constipation, and fatigue.
Is Thyroid Cancer?
Yes, and no, as the thyroid gland can cause various health issues. However, cancer could develop in the gland’s cells. The thyroid regulates blood pressure, weight, heart rate, and body temperature. The good news is that if cancer is found, it can be cured with treatment.
Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer
The problem is that it does not cause symptoms in the early stage. As thyroid cancer grows, it can cause:
- Difficulty swallowing
- You get a pain in the neck or throat
- Your voice changes, becoming hoarse
- The lymph nodes become swollen
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is best to make an appointment with your doctor. There is no reason not to find out what causes them.
Can Thyroid Cancer Spread?
When cancer occurs, the glands undergo mutations, and the resulting genetic changes enable the cells to multiply rapidly. Furthermore, the cells lose their ability to die, accumulate abnormal thyroid cells from a tumor, and spread throughout the body.
Depending on the type of cancer, you have determined the treatment, as there are five different thyroid cancers:
- Papillary Thyroid Cancer – most often affects people aged 30 to 50
- Follicular Thyroid Cancer – affects people older than 50
- Medullary Thyroid Cancer – could be genetic
- Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer – occurs in adults aged 60 and up
- Thyroid Lymphoma – cancer multiplies and occurs in older adults
The problem is that once treated, it can come back even if you have had the thyroid removed.
How Do You Test the Thyroid?
When visiting your doctor, they will feel the thyroid gland for enlargements or nodules. The doctor may refer you to an endocrinologist for specific tests. They will perform different blood tests to measure the levels of antibodies and hormones. Most of the tests are painless, but there is one sensitive test. The test is standard for hypothyroidism and measures the thyroid-stimulating hormone in the pituitary gland. Alternatively, they can do an ultrasound or biopsy to detect abnormalities.
Are Thyroid Nodules Painful?
Most nodules do not cause symptoms; however, occasionally, a lump in the neck may be noticed. Patients with thyroid nodules may experience pain in the ear, jaw, or neck. In some cases, they cause difficulty breathing and swallowing or a tickle in the throat.
Medical Treatments for Thyroid
Medical treatment varies depending on the disorder. With hyperthyroidism, you want to reduce the production of the hormone. Doctors can put you on Propranolol to treat high blood pressure, or they may give you an iodine supplement. Another solution is surgery, which involves removing all or part of the thyroid.
Compared to the above, there are home remedies for thyroid if you do not have a severe condition:
Essential Oils
If you notice no change within four weeks, discontinue the oil you are using and try another one. Never use too much oil at once; use it with other treatments.
Rosemary Oil
Mix four drops of the oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil. Apply the mixture to the thyroid acupressure points at the base of the throat, below the feet, or the lower leg. Massage gently for a couple of minutes with a few drops of bath water and soak for up to 20 minutes.
Frankincense Oil
As with Rosemary oil, you must mix four drops with coconut oil. Please apply to the same acupoints, or get a food-grade one and consume it with food.
Minerals
You can obtain a low-potency liquid mineral supplement containing all nine essential minerals necessary for thyroid hormone production. It is beneficial to drink it daily, and it is advisable to consult your doctor about the most suitable supplement. The therapy is long-term and helps restore the minerals in the body.
Flaxseeds
Get yourself powdered flaxseed and mix one tablespoon of fruit juice or milk. If you plan to make powder from the seeds, it is best to use frozen ones and grind them immediately. Ensure that you mix well and drink up to twice a day.
Virgin Coconut Oil
You can consume the oil daily by adding it to your favorite dish or salad. You can cook with it, but non-heated coconut oil works best. You need to consume two tablespoons twice a day.
Ginger
Chop up one inch of ginger fine and add it to a cup of hot water to steep for up to 10 minutes. Leave to cool, and add honey for flavor. You can drink ginger tea thrice daily.
Bladderwrack
Add two teaspoons of the bladderwrack herb to a cup of warm water. Leave for up to ten minutes, then strain. Add honey and drink up to three times daily.
Vitamins
Hypothyroidism can be caused by a deficiency of Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C. Consuming Vitamin B12 stimulates the thyroid gland, and Vitamin C helps combat oxidative stress that exacerbates the condition. Consider taking methylated B12 and a food-based vitamin C supplement.
Nettle
Add two teaspoons of nettle tea to a cup of hot water and let it steep for 10 minutes. Add honey and consume while warm, three times a day.
As you can see, there are natural ways to treat thyroid problems if they are not severe. You can also consume eggs, fish, meat, fruits like tomatoes, dairy products, and vegetables using the above methods.
Final Thoughts
The important thing is to get screened for thyroid problems every five years. The best is to stop smoking and avoid the intake of caffeine or alcohol. Try to keep yourself stress-free and drink filtered water. Avoid consuming deep-fried food, and opt for iodine-rich foods instead. Try to control your weight and engage in regular exercise and yoga. We hope the article helps raise your awareness of thyroid disorders and that they are not always cancerous.