Our bodies use hormones as chemical messengers that instruct our organs to do a variety of tasks. The system comprising hormones and their production is called the endocrine system. This system can become imbalanced when it fails to release the appropriate amount of hormones at the right time, in response to the body’s need. A well-known example is diabetes, caused by the failure of the pancreas to release insulin in response to raised blood sugar levels (which occurs after eating).
Our endocrine system regulates a huge number of essential functions throughout our life, including sex characteristics (testosterone and estrogen), responses to stress (cortisol and adrenalin), immune strength (thyroid) and bone growth (pituitary). Our body knows to release a certain amount of appropriate hormones thanks to a complex feedback mechanism.
Disorders of the endocrine system usually occur for one of two reasons; problems could be caused because one of the glands produces too much or too little of an endocrine hormone, resulting in a hormone imbalance or because a lesion develops in the endocrine system, which may or may not affect hormone levels.
Conventional Western medicine will typically focus on the hormone producer that is perceived to be causing the problem, in some cases, in proceeding to damage the thyroid, for instance. In integrative health care the mental and emotional state of the patient, as well as any physical connections to the problem-gland, are accounted for and treatment is given restore balance and resolve the root problem (whether emotional or physical).
At Well4ever in Putney, you can access natural therapies to address problems related to the endocrine system. We offer lab tests, acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy and more.