Enhance your Endocrine Health with Acupuncture

Enhance your Endocrine Health with Acupuncture

The endocrine system is responsible for hormonal functions in the body and produces

30 distinct hormones, each of which has a very specific job to do. This system controls

your physical growth, mood, hormone output, reproduction, mental functionality and

immune system. When not working properly, you become more susceptible to disease

and your ability to fight off infection is weakened. Endocrine glands and how they function

impact every area of your health.

The keystone of acupuncture and Oriental medicine has always been awakening the body’s

natural intelligence to heal itself and restore balance to the system of energy pathways

(called “meridians”) in the body. If the meridians within your body have become depleted,

you can suffer from fatigue, infertility, weight gain, depression, digestive problems, hair loss,

arthritis and feeling chilled no matter the temperature.

What are the endocrine glands and what do they do?

The major endocrine glands include the adrenals, pancreas, pineal, pituitary, reproductive

and thyroid glands.

Adrenals – Adrenal glands regulate the body’s response to stress and are made of two parts,

each of which secretes a separate set of hormones. The outer part produces corticosteroid

hormones that regulate the balance of salt and water, stress response, metabolism, immune

function, as well as the development and function of the reproductive system. The inner part

secretes adrenaline hormones that increase blood pressure and heart rate in response to stress.

Over time, chronic elevated stress levels can lead to weight gain, decreased resistance to

infections, fatigue, muscle aches and low blood sugar.

Pancreas – The pancreas produces insulin and glucagon, two hormones that work together to

provide the body`s cells with a constant supply of energy in the form of glucose.

Pineal – The pineal gland is also known as the epiphysis cerebri, epiphysis, or the “third eye.”

It produces the serotonin derivative melatonin, a hormone that affects the modulation of wake/

sleep patterns and seasonal functions.

Hypothalamus and Pituitary – These are a collection of specialized cells that provide the

primary link between the endocrine and central nervous systems. Nerve cells and hormones

signal the pituitary gland to secrete or suppress the release of various hormone messages to

the other glands. The pituitary gland is also responsible for secreting growth hormones.

Reproductive – These glands secrete hormones that control the development of male and

female characteristics. In males, these glands secrete androgen hormones, most importantly

testosterone. In females, they produce estrogen, progesterone, eggs, and are involved in re-

productive functions.

Thyroid – Thyroid hormones control the growth, temperature and function of every cell in

the body. The gland acts as the metabolic engine of the body — if it secretes too little hormone,

the body slows and dies; if it secretes too much, the body burns out and dies.

When treating a suspected endocrine condition with acupuncture and Oriental medicine, the

practitioner seeks the root cause of the patient’s imbalance. The endocrine system is closely

tied to the internal balance of the Yin energy and the Yang energy. Imagine that the Yang

energy is like gasoline that fuels a car, and Yin energy is the engine coolant. Without the

coolant, the engine overheats and burns out. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine work to

make sure the Yin and Yang are equal within the body to restore balance.

The root of the body’s energy in Oriental medicine is the kidney meridian, so strengthening

that meridian also restores nourishment to your endocrine glands. Acupuncture can be used

to restore hormonal balance, regulate energy levels, smooth emotions, and help manage sleep

and menstrual problems.

Many patients benefit from an integrated Eastern and Western medical approach to endocrine

health. The strong point of Western medicine is intervention in life-threatening illness, whereas

the strong point of Eastern medicine is increased quality of life. Therefore, it is optimal to have

both Eastern and Western medicine options available for the most comprehensive care.

A healthy endocrine system that continues to secrete adequate amounts of

hormones will slow the aging process and keep you vibrant and healthy as you age.

Come in for a consultation to see how acupuncture and Oriental medicine

can assist you with your endocrine health and help you to live a long, healthy life!

Cultivate Optimal Endocrine Health

The endocrine system regulates the body through hormonal secretions. Cultivating your

endocrine health, combined with proper nutrition and diet, can boost energy, improve

appetite, reduce insomnia, relieve depression symptoms, improve circulation, relieve muscle

aches and assist you in recovering from endocrine disorders. An easy way to improve the

health of your endocrine system is to eat nutritious meals and maintain a well-balanced diet.

A few basic steps you can take to enhance your endocrine health are:

Eat Slowly – Don’t rush through your meals. Allowing your body to properly digest food

reduces after-meal fatigue, boosts your immune system and enables your endocrine system

to properly process nutritional intake.

Exercise – Regular exercise boosts the immune system, improves cardiovascular health and

muscle mass, and prevents bone loss. Stress-reducing exercises such as yoga, Qigong, or

Tai Chi can also be beneficial.

Manage Your Stress – An important part of maintaining a healthy endocrine system is

stress management. Stress can cause the overproduction of hormones, leading to the

malfunction of endocrine organs.

Rest – Take a day out of the week for rest and rejuvenation, allowing your mind and body

to recover.

Sleep – Get 6-8 hours of sleep per night in order to reduce stress and keep hormones

balanced. Stress and a lack of sleep may cause some of the glands to malfunction.

5 Nutrients to Support Your Endocrine Health

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein are part of any healthy diet. To directly