The symptoms of hypothyroidism include excessive weight gain, hair loss, weakness, edema or water retention in the body and also a reduced heartbeat in some patients. The treatment for hypothyroidism is mainly carried out by administering T4 hormone to the patients. T4 is one of the hormones secreted by the thyroid gland and hence this mode of treatment by hormone replacement helps. However, hormone replacement therapies come with their own risks and the T4 hormone therapy for hypothyroidism is no different. A significant increase in the risk of heart diseases is one of the major drawbacks of this treatment. Due to this reason, people are always on the lookout for safer options in alternative medicine and acupuncture has been found to be an effective remedy for hypothyroidism. In the subsequent part of the article, we'll try to understand how acupuncture works and how it can be used to help patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
Treating Hypothyroidism with Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been proven to be effective against several illnesses and disorders and it has been used to treat hypothyroidism as well. This method of treatment does help even if it takes quite some time for the results to show. People who practice acupuncture believe that all ailments are a result of the immune system not being strong enough. Acupuncture is practiced in many forms across the world. Traditional Chinese acupuncture includes treatment with herbal medicines too. However, practitioners in other countries such as Korea and Japan do not incorporate herbal medicines as a part of the treatment.
According to the treatises on acupuncture, there are several meridians passing through different parts of our body and located on these meridians are the various acupuncture points. It is through these meridians that energy or Chi circulates through the body. Any obstruction in the pathways can restrict the flow of energy, resulting in various diseases and ailments. Acupuncture involves the use of fine metal needles (that are as thin as a strand of hair) to remove the blockages in the meridians, resulting in a smooth flow of energy. Once a patient has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, treatment with acupuncture, along with the administration of herbal potions, can help alleviate the symptoms of the disorder. Not only this, acupuncture also has the potential to counter the side effects caused by the conventional treatment of hypothyroidism. However, before going ahead with the procedure, it is important to keep a few things in mind.
- Always consult a qualified practitioner who holds a license to practice acupuncture, to ensure safe and effective treatment.
- Before the intake of herbal medicines, consult your physician to know if they would be safe, especially if you are on any kind of medication.
- Before going ahead with the treatment, make sure that the clinic follows basic hygiene and uses sterilized equipment and disposable needles.
Thus, we see that although acupuncture may not be effective in restoring the proper functioning of the thyroid glands in all patients who undergo this treatment, it can definitely help the patient cope with the disease in a better and easier way, by reducing the symptoms. Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) has enlisted hypothyroidism as one of the 40 odd diseases and ailments that can be effectively treated with acupuncture. Today, more and more doctors all over the world are recommending acupuncture as a trusted method of treatment for their patients who have been diagnosed with various forms of hypothyroidism.