The combination of low thyroid function and overworked adrenal glands generates a long list of symptoms … including fatigue, weight gain, constipation, depression, fuzzy thinking and memory loss.
Thyroid and adrenal dysfunction also underlie common conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. All too often symptoms are treated pharmaceutically, or more naturally, but without addressing the underlying causes, such as environmental toxins, nutritional deficiencies and poor diet, and an unchecked stress response.
Some estimates suggest hypothyroidism alone is shared by 27 million Americans with up to half of them going undiagnosed.
In my approach to treating these issues I always teach patients self-regulation skills because they enhance the effects of any other healing strategy we’re using … whether it’s a dietary intervention or a treatment like acupuncture.
Working with a common issue like hypothyroidism, or Hashimotto’s autoimmune thyroiditis, provides a great example of how self-regulation skills support the overall healing process.
In addition to the dietary and nutritional interventions that are necessary, such as avoiding goitrogens and the safe use of iodine, healing the adrenal glands is also a necessary step in a comprehensive thyroid balancing program.
Self-Regulation skills give the adrenal glands the rest they need so that hormones like cortisol and DHEA begin to balance spontaneously. This significantly improves the restoration of the adrenal glands while reducing the number of supplements that would normally be used to support them.
So whether your addressing one of the concerns mentioned above, or another chronic condition, the addition of a regular self-regulation practice will enhance your efforts to heal.
I have my favorite bag of self-regulation tools as I’m sure that many of you do too. Whether your’s is mindfully walking in nature, meditating, journaling, slow breathing, or spinning like a Dervish … the point is to be regular … as in daily.
The science around self-regulation practices is confirming that daily practice produces lasting positive change that no other more external intervention will provide … starting with profound positive changes in gene expression.
So make this self-regulating time for yourself a priority. Give yourself the gift of state of the art medicine … Self-Healing.
Steven Templin, D.O.M., Dipl. Ac., is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and nationally certified acupuncturist treating chronic degenerative and stress-induced illness. He specializes in Self-Regulation Training (to resolve the omnipresent stress-induced component of illness and restore adrenal gland function ), Energy Medicine, Energy Psychology, and Diet and Nutrition to repair the Gut-Immune-Brain Axis.
In his Self-Regulation training program he shares the science and the effective practices for transforming physical health and emotional well-being. Self-Regulation practices will greatly enhance the effectiveness of other therapeutic interventions, like diet and lifestyle modifications.
He teaches and consults online, and sees patients at the Natural Medicine Center in Lakeland, Florida. You can learn more about Dr. Templin and his healing program by contacting him via email at drtemplin@gmail.com or by visiting www.stevetemplin.com.
Steve is a retired Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture Physician, and HeartMath Trauma-Sensitive Certified Practitioner with over 35 years of clinical experience in Energy Medicine, Energy Psychology, and Biofeedback.