Thyroid and Maderotherapy

• The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being due to its impact on various bodily functions. Here are some reasons why the thyroid is important for the body:
  1. Metabolism Regulation: The thyroid gland produces hormones, primarily thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which regulate the body’s metabolism. These hormones control how quickly the body uses energy and influences the metabolic rate of various organs, including the heart, brain, liver, and muscles.
  2. Body Weight Management: Thyroid hormones directly influence metabolism and energy expenditure. They play a role in controlling body weight by regulating how calories are utilized, the breakdown of fats, and the synthesis of proteins. Imbalances in thyroid hormone levels can lead to weight fluctuations, such as weight gain or weight loss.
  3. Maintenance of Body Temperature: Thyroid hormones help regulate body temperature by influencing the body’s heat production and heat dissipation mechanisms. They help maintain a stable internal body temperature, ensuring optimal functioning of cells and organs.
  4. Brain Function and Development: Thyroid hormones are essential for normal brain development in infants and children. They support proper brain growth, neuronal connectivity, and cognitive function. In adults, thyroid hormones contribute to mental alertness, concentration, and overall brain function.
  5. Bone and Muscle Health: Adequate thyroid hormone levels are important for maintaining healthy bones and muscles. Thyroid hormones support bone growth and remodeling by influencing bone turnover and mineralization. They also play a role in muscle strength and coordination.
  6. Skin Health: Thyroid hormones contribute to the health and integrity of the skin. They influence the production of collagen, a protein that provides structure and elasticity to the skin. Imbalances in thyroid hormone levels can result in dry skin, thinning of the skin, and changes in hair texture.
  7. Regulation of Macronutrient Metabolism: Thyroid hormones help regulate how the body metabolizes macronutrients, such as carbohydrates and fats. They influence glucose absorption, utilization, and storage, as well as the breakdown of fats for energy production.
  8. Influence on Mood and Emotions: Thyroid hormones can affect mood, emotions, and mental well-being. Low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism) are associated with symptoms such as depression, fatigue, and low motivation, while high thyroid hormone levels (hyperthyroidism) can cause anxiety, restlessness, and irritability.
  9. Calcium Balance: The thyroid gland also produces a hormone called calcitonin, which helps regulate calcium levels in the blood. Calcitonin helps reduce blood calcium levels by inhibiting calcium release from bones and increasing calcium excretion by the kidneys.

  In summary, the thyroid gland and its hormones play a vital role in regulating metabolism, body weight, brain function, bone health, muscle function, skin health, macronutrient metabolism, mood, and calcium balance. Maintaining a healthy thyroid function is essential for overall well-being and optimal functioning of the body.

THYROID DISEASES

Thyroid gland dysfunction can occur due to either decreased or increased activity of the gland. Hypothyroidism, characterized by reduced thyroid function, often occurs in the form of Hashimoto’s syndrome. On the other hand, hyperthyroidism, which involves an overactive thyroid gland, is commonly associated with Graves’ (or Basedow) disease.

Identifying Signs of Abnormal Thyroid Function:

Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism exhibit a range of symptoms affecting mental and physical health. These include anxiety, rapid heart rate, sleep disturbances, depression, heightened sensitivity to cold, dry hair and skin, and muscle pain.

Key Symptoms to Observe:

Physical Symptoms:

• Impaired muscle function, muscle cramps
• High blood pressure
• Hair loss or enlarged thyroid gland
• Weight gain
• Constipation
• Weakness, fatigue
• Dry and coarse skin
• Decreased appetite
• Hair loss
• Eye and facial puffiness
• Thickened tongue
• Irregular or heavy periods
• Increased blood cholesterol levels

Mental-Cognitive Symptoms:

• Sleep problems
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Difficulty concentrating
• Short-term memory loss
• Lack of mental energy for new ideas

Recognizing Autoimmune Thyroid Disease:

In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, symptoms may be absent initially as the thyroid function remains normal. However, as the disease progresses, the gland gradually deteriorates, leading to signs of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue, impaired concentration and memory, headaches, weight gain, constipation, swelling, tingling, and sensitivity to cold.

Basedow’s disease, in contrast, is typically characterized by severe hyperthyroidism. Symptoms include restlessness, fatigue, sweating, tremors, rapid heartbeat, weight loss despite increased appetite, and accelerated digestion. Inflammation behind the eyeballs is common, resulting in tearing, a sensation of grit, tightness, pain, swelling around the eyes, bulging eyeballs, and occasionally double vision or other visual disturbances.

Postnatal thyroiditis refers to thyroid dysfunction occurring within the first year after childbirth. It can manifest as either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. In most cases, thyroid function returns to normal within a few months, but around one-third of patients develop permanent hypothyroidism.

Causes of Thyroid Malfunction:

Thyroid disease is classified as an autoimmune disease, wherein the body mistakenly attacks its own cells. The underlying causes of autoimmune diseases involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Genetic predisposition influences how individuals respond to specific infections, leading to inflammation and the eventual development of autoimmune conditions.

All autoimmune diseases involve inflammation, which exacerbates symptoms and advances the progression of the disease. Thus, it is crucial to reduce and manage inflammation effectively.

Epigenetics, the study of gene expression, reveals that environmental factors play a role in gene regulation. Our environment, lifestyle choices, and exposures to toxins, infections, stress levels, and medications can influence gene activity. Therefore, factors such as diet, toxin exposure, infection, stress levels, and medication usage can impact our genes by turning them on or off, potentially affecting our health.

It is true that factors such as stress, diet, toxins, and psychosomatic causes can contribute to thyroid dysfunction. Prolonged stress, in particular, can disrupt hormonal balance and lead to imbalances in thyroid hormone production.

Stress and Thyroid Function:

When the body experiences a change in temperature, the thyroid gland responds by increasing the secretion of the hormone thyroxine. Similarly, during periods of stress, the body undergoes physiological changes, such as redirecting blood flow, monitoring breathing and heart rate, among others. If stress persists over a prolonged period, it can lead to hormonal imbalances, potentially contributing to the development of autoimmune diseases.

Psychosomatics and Thyroid Disease:

Psychosomatics explores the connection between psychological distress and physical symptoms. Emotional states can manifest in the body, and unexpressed emotions can lead to physical problems and illnesses. In the case of the thyroid, emotional tension, especially when emotions are not expressed, can result in throat tightness, blockages, and difficulties in expressing oneself. Unexpressed emotions may cause anger and frustration, which can lead to dryness and imbalances in the thyroid energy.

The Throat Chakra and Thyroid Health:

The throat, associated with the fifth chakra, plays a significant role in change and self-expression. Difficulties in embracing change or expressing oneself can manifest as throat problems. Louise L. Hay suggests that sore throats represent anger, and a cold on top of that indicates mental confusion. When creativity is suppressed or thwarted, throat problems, tonsillitis, or thyroid issues may arise.

Self-Help for Thyroid Health:

To support thyroid health, you can consider the following practices:

• Perceive and express yourself and your needs.
• Focus on nutrition and maintain a balanced diet.
• Engage in movement in nature, exercise, or physical activities.
• Practice belly breathing and facial yoga.
• Incorporate meditation and relaxation techniques.
• Consider reflexology massage or other forms of bodywork.
• Chanting and affirmations can be beneficial.
• Engage in activities that bring joy and nourish your soul.

Maderotherapy for Thyroid Problems:

Maderotherapy, a massage technique using wooden tools, can improve blood circulation, lymph circulation, metabolic processes, and muscle and nerve stimulation. It can also reduce pain and swelling. While maderotherapy can be performed for thyroid disease, it is important to consider contraindications. These include infectious conditions, heart disease, skin diseases, internal organ diseases, open wounds, bleeding, fractures or sprains, acute vascular and lymphatic inflammation, venous diseases, schizophrenia, severe depression, gangrene, thrombosis, acute surgical conditions, pregnancy, and oncological conditions.

Maderotherapy can help with body regeneration, accelerate lymphatic toxin elimination, improve skin appearance, and enhance overall well-being. However, it is important to note that maderotherapy is not a solution for underlying hormonal imbalances or the cause of fat accumulation in specific areas. It is a tool that can aid in the regeneration of the body and improve its appearance.

Please note that the information provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan for thyroid diseases.