Can Massage Therapy Improve Thyroid Health?

Barbara Alcaraz, M.A., B.A., L.M.T. Massage Therapy Program Chair M. A. Organizational Management, University of Phoenix B.A. University of Minnesota, American Studies L.M.T. Northwest Health Careers
massage therapy on thyroid health.

Across the US around 10 million Americans suffer from a known hypothyroid condition. Hypothyroidism disproportionately affects women, with an estimated 10 percent of adult American women having some form of the condition.

 

The normal treatment for hypothyroidism is a lifetime of thyroxine supplementation, however, there are other ways to manage the symptoms of the condition. In this article, we will be looking at the potentilla benefits of massage therapy on thyroid health.

What Is Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a catchall term that encompasses a large number of conditions stemming from the thyroid gland’s inability to produce adequate levels of certain hormones. 

 

The leading cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune inflammatory condition, known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which damages or destroys the thyroid gland.

What Are the Symptoms of Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism has a large range of symptoms that often go unnoticed as the gradually lowered production of thyroxine and other important hormones means the symptoms come on slowly and are often mistaken for other conditions such as insomnia, stress, and depression.

 

Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

 

  • Fatigue 
  • Muscle weakness
  • Fluctuations in weight without an obvious reason
  • Dry, thinning hair
  • Rough skin patching
  • Cold intolerance
  • Depression
  • Abnormal menses
  • Decreased libido
  • Cognitive and memory difficulties

How Can Massage Help With Hypothyroidism?

Since the thyroid gland is a part of the endocrine system, the improved blood and lymphatic circulation associated with massage therapy can help to offset the lowered production of important hormones.

 

As Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, and is an autoimmune inflammatory condition, the noted anti-inflammatory effects of massage therapy, as remarked on by studies conducted at McMaster University, could offset the effect of the inflammatory damage on the thyroid.

 

Massage therapy is also effective at combating the symptoms of hypothyroidism, inducing fatigue, and depression. Taken in concordance with medication, massage therapy’s acknowledged positive impact on mood, fatigue and stress management, depression, and cognitive function may help to reduce the impact of hypothyroidism on a patient’s quality of life.

Join One Of The Best Massage Therapy Schools In Las Vegas Today!

At Northwest Career College, we operate one of the best Massage Therapy Schools in Las Vegas and our Massage Therapy Course will teach you the skills you’ll need to apply the benefits of sports massage. The benefits of massage therapy are widely recognized with employment for massage therapists expected to increase by 22% between 2014-2024, with an average massage therapist earning $39,360 a year. Additionally, many massage therapists maintain active, private practices, increasing both their flexibility and earnings. 

 

Our massage student clinic is open seven days a week, for both your and your clients’ convenience, and we offer day and night classes to accommodate your work and family schedules. Our instructors are experienced professionals who will prepare you to sit for either the NCBTMB (National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage) or the MBLEX (Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards) exams and we are proud of our 100% board pass rate. Call us at (702) 403-1592 to speak to one of our enrollment specialists today!

 

Written by:

Barbara Alcaraz, M.A., B.A., L.M.T.
Massage Therapy Program Chair
M. A. Organizational Management, University of Phoenix
B.A. University of Minnesota, American Studies
L.M.T. Northwest Health Careers