For thousands of years, acupuncture has been treating several types of disease including hyperthyroidism. This type of Chinese traditional medicine has been one of the most studied and most popular treatments used in the world today.
Most people suffering from hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease are seeking natural procedures and alternative treatments for their condition due to the inadequacies of Western medicine treatments for their condition. Most of them are tired of using all sorts of over-the-counter and prescription medications and pills their doctors keep on prescribing for them in an attempt to cure their disease.
In a lot of instances, these doctors will push their patients for total thyroidectomy and RAI but if you read the rest of this article, you would see that it’s unwise to go there unless you have exhausted all your options!
It comes as no surprise that the Pharmaceutical Industry is one of the most profitable, being only second to the manufacturing of military weapons. You may be shocked to know that most physicians get a 4% share in profits for every medication they prescribe. Yes, there are doctors who are ethical and honest who will work with you and will give you the treatment that’s really the best for you. Unfortunately, these days, that is rarely the case.
If you are considering getting alternative medicine treatment, you will be amazed to know that they truly work and at times, compared to Western conventional medicine, even produce better results.
That being said, it is important to note that under any circumstances you should not stop taking any drug prescribed to you by your doctor for your hyperthyroid condition or Graves’ disease, as doing so may result in a very dangerous condition called a thyroid storm.
If you want quicker and even better results, you can combine your medication with your chosen alternative treatments. One of the best alternative treatments out there for hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease is acupuncture.
Acupuncture Treatment for Hyperthyroidism
A growing number of people living in the West suffering from hyperthyroidism are embracing acupuncture and several other Eastern medical therapies to help them overcome the symptoms and even the underlying causes of their condition. Several health organizations in the United States and in other countries have stated that acupuncture can effectively treat hyperthyroidism as well as other forms of thyroid conditions.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
The use of acupuncture began over two thousand five hundred years ago in China. It works on the theory that chi or qi, the Chinese term of life energy, circulates throughout the body – illness results when this energy circulation is blocked. Acupuncture’s main tools are filiform needles that are the size of a human hair. They are stuck in specific parts of the body that are known to restore the body’s health and balance.
A research was done comparing individuals with thyroid conditions treated with acupuncture to those not treated with acupuncture. The researchers discovered that acupuncture treatment targeting the kidney area led to a reduction of symptoms.
It follows that acupuncture treatment for hyperthyroidism would work well if we understand that hyperthyroidism is a disease that’s often brought about by a malfunction of the immune system or the side effects of drugs. The blood can be strengthened, the immune system can be stimulated, and qi flow can be normalized when the kidneys and qi are stimulated.
The symptoms of hyperthyroidism can be effectively treated with acupuncture, even if the disease itself cannot be treated by this modality. Acupuncture has been known to boost energy, lower blood pressure, and relieve stress all of which greatly benefit people suffering from hypothyroidism.
It is also works against high blood pressure, hot flashes, insomnia, heart palpitations and even a few of the menstrual irregularities that are associated with hyperthyroidism.
Acupuncture is being used by over eight million Americans for the treatment of various kinds of illnesses. This treatment is a healing technique that in 1996 has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Most people do not feel pain when an acupuncture needle is inserted into their skin. This is due to the thinness of the metal needles used in the treatment.
To avoid any accidents, infections, or injuries during treatment, you need to seek out a qualified and licensed acupuncturist. If an acupuncture license is required to practice the therapy in the state you’re living on, then don’t go to an acupuncturist who has no license. You also need to know the kind of medical training your acupuncturist has undergone and don’t seek any medical advice from anyone who had little training in acupuncture.
When you first come in for treatment, your acupuncturist will usually do a thorough investigation of your medical history, the reasons you are seeking treatment, and inquire about your lifestyle. He or she will talk with you about your treatment, how long it will take, how much it will cost, and how many sessions you will need.
People suffering from hyperthyroidism can indeed greatly benefit from acupuncture, more so if after your diagnosis, you immediately visit an acupuncturist and get treatment for the symptoms and their underlying cause. However, we should state that acupuncture holds no guarantee that it can halt the excess production of thyroid hormone, but the least you can expect is the mitigation of the symptoms, stop you from feeling severely stressed, and make you feel more comfortable about your condition.