Hypothyroidism describes a condition in which the thyroid gland is not producing enough of the thyroid hormones. This condition is also known as underactive thyroid and symptoms include dry, brittle hair and nails, weight gain, fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation, reduced memory function and depression. There are medications that can be taken to replace the hormones, as well as several alternative treatments that patients have used with success.
Certain supplements, changes to the diet, reflexology and yoga are some of the natural techniques people are using to improve hypothyroidism. Yoga may help improve hypothyroidism by stimulating the endocrine glands, specifically the thyroid gland.
Yoga works by massaging the endocrine glands and helps with weight control and emotions, which are often difficult areas for people with underactive thyroid. By massaging and stimulating the action of the thyroid gland, the blood flow is improved and the thyroid will begin to operate more efficiently.
A general yoga practice offers benefits to all muscles, joints and systems of the body, including the endocrine system. If you have been diagnosed with underactive thyroid and want to include specific asanas to stimulate the thyroid, inversions are a good choice.
Inversions are believed to help hypothyroidism by allowing gravity to pull the blood flow into the neck, bringing oxygenated blood to the thyroid gland. The inversions that you choose to include should be appropriate for your level of practice. Of course, shoulderstand is an effective pose for underactive thyroid, but this is an advanced pose.
You can reap the same benefits with other yoga poses, including fish pose, boat pose and legs up the wall pose. There are other poses that help to stimulate the thyroid gland, such as bridge pose. It is the chin to neck action in this pose that helps to stimulate the thyroid gland. Any pose that uses this motion is beneficial.
Pay attention when you are going bridge pose and even when moving the head up and down in some sequences can help, if you move slowly and keep your chin tucked to get the most of this thyroid stimulating benefit.