sub-fertility,
reflexology and THE ADRENAL LINK
|
|
(Follow-on
article to ‘Sub-fertility, Reflexology and Thyroid Function’) As
previously written, the thyroid gland is strongly implicated in
sub-fertility. Where one gland
is out of balance, the master pituitary gland must always be worked
carefully. As the conductor of
the orchestra we must make sure that it is neither causing the thyroid
imbalance nor being affected by it. One
gland that is not usually directly linked with thyroid imbalance is the
adrenal glands. Where this
gland is either over- or under-active, it could be having an impact on the
thyroid gland. Over-activity means that the adrenal gland is over-producing adrenaline, among other hormones. This means the body is constantly being driven on overdrive. This will potentially have many results but there are three which may be implicated in sub/infertility:
At
the other end of the scale, over-exhaustion of the adrenal glands,
possibly as a result of over-activity in the first place, will gradually
lead to a failing/under-active thyroid gland, which likewise ‘burns
out’. As previously
discussed, hypothyroidism has a direct relationship to subfertility. A
classic sign of hypothyroidism is being overweight, but in my opinion, it
can occur in tall, slim, even underweight people.
If these people have a low body weight due to a high metabolism, in
turn due to hyperactivity of the adrenal gland, then eventual adrenal
exhaustion could leave them hypothyroid, but not necessarily with
increased weight gain. Watch
for the busy, can’t sit down, Type A personality.
The workaholic; tall, slim and generally pale-skinned; often
presenting with some form of digestive disturbance, eg IBS, colitis, etc,
as the bowel is irritated by the over-stimulation of the muscle tone due
to over-production of adrenaline. Whilst
they may not present with respiratory imbalances, breathing will often be
poor – fast, shallow with lots of sighing, tense shoulders and
diaphragm; all indicating high stress levels.
They will report being constantly tired but usually still always
busy, unless adrenal exhaustion has reached burn-out levels. In
hyperactivity of the adrenal glands, they need calming down.
In burn-out, they need toning, not stimulating.
They need to be encouraged to rebuild their energies slowly.
All the glands must be worked together to bring them back into
balance – Susanne Enzer’s technique for balancing the endocrine system
here is excellent. Obviously
all the systems and levels of the person must be worked with care and
compassion, particularly the nervous and digestive systems. Whilst
you are bearing the above factors in mind, the most important thing is
always to treat what you find, not just the presenting disorder. In
either of the above cases, it is most important that the client learns to
slow down, relax and let go. And
with gentle encouragement, to look at why they need to keep running –
and perhaps more importantly, what from. Anne Thomas |
Back to Articles Home
Page
A Passionate Plea for Reflexology Regulation, Research and Science Subfertility, Reflexology and Thyroid Function Subfertility, Reflexology and the Adrenal Link
|
