Many people, diagnosed with Graves’ disease or hyperthyroidism, are disappointed or dissatisfied for one reason or another with conventional medical treatment approaches. They vigorously search the internet for complementary and alternative techniques that can help them deal with the aforementioned autoimmune disorder and its symptoms. The usefulness and safety of alternative and complementary techniques vary significantly, so they must be approached with great caution. Although many people do not differentiate between alternative and complementary approaches, these are two different types of treatment. Although much research remains to be done in this direction, many studies demonstrate the efficacy of one or another alternative/complementary method. However, since Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder with many physical and mental symptoms, manifesting at the bodily level, I would suggest that people seeking such treatments use them not instead of, but in conjunction with already prescribed medical treatment. .
All complementary therapies have little in common: they all aim for increased concentration, relaxation, calm, stress relief, and awareness. Consequently, they serve as mediators for a specific mental state and condition that can enhance the effects of traditional medical treatment.
1.Meditation– this is a process in which people focus their attention on their breath, a specific phrase (mantra) or an object such as a candle. In addition to the well-known passive form of meditation that many people are reluctant to try, there are many other active forms, such as walking meditation or even swimming, that can do the same job. They serve pretty much the same purpose: to calm the agitated mind, develop greater body awareness, focus on the present, and increase concentration. Mediation, among its other benefits, also reduces the blood pressure and heart rate, or palpitations, associated with Graves’ disease.
2. Yoga therapy– this type of therapy incorporates few different elements: breathing, increasing strength and flexibility and balancing of body, mind and spirit. It has been found to relieve many physical and psychological symptoms, ranging from anxiety and depression to skeletal muscle problems and chronic pain. Helps Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism to create a stress-free atmosphere and general relaxation.
3. Movement therapy: use “movement” in general, to promote physical and emotional health. The most popular is dance therapy, as it is believed that the body and mind cannot exist separately, so they influence each other in various ways. Movement therapies are also known to help anxiety, depression, dementia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In particular, I found the Argentine tango to be the most helpful for hyperthyroidism, as it dramatically increases body awareness, concentration, balance, and relieves stress.
4.Reiki. This Japanese technique is a type of energy healing, where the Reiki practitioner uses their hands in different positions to transmit healing energy to the patient. It has been shown to help control pain, anxiety and promote relaxation.
5. Music therapy. It involves writing music, singing, listening to music, and analysis of lyrics. Like any other complementary therapy, it has no direct measurable effect on Graves’ disease, but it does help people explore their thoughts, feelings, and emotions through the use of music. It is known to help anxiety, depression, pain, and restlessness. It also increases creativity, trains the vocal cords and the thyroid chakra, all related to Graves’ disease in one way or another.
6.Qigong– an ancient Chinese health system that incorporates physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intention. It is known to reduce stress, increase vitality and improve the immune system. On a pure bodily level, it has also been found to improve the cardiovascular, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic, and digestive systems. It also improves self-awareness and concentration.
7.Tai Chi It is a centuries-old Chinese practice that involves controlled, smooth, and focused body movements that reduce stress, increase concentration, and promote calm. This mind-body technique is found to aid balance, agility, strength, flexibility, stamina, muscle tone, and coordination. The deep breathing techniques involved in Thai Chi increase mental alertness and release tension, thus easing the body’s response to stress.
8. Massage therapy It is a manual procedure that involves direct contact with the body. The types of massage are all different, but they all reduce stress, increase relaxation, and reduce anxiety and depression and increase blood circulation.
9. Acupuncture– uses needle stimulation of specific points on the body and is also a centuries-old Chinese technique. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for numerous bodily ailments, stress-related physical problems, and emotional conditions. It is also found to increase the effectiveness of different medications. Its objective is to treat the blockage in the movement of Qi (vital energy), which is passing through different meridians of the body and, therefore, improve the response of the immune system.
10. Biofeedback It is used to help prevent or treat conditions including migraine headaches, chronic pain, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and stress-related symptoms. During a biofeedback session, electrodes are placed on the skin. These electrodes send signals to a monitor, which displays a sound, a flash of light, or an image representing heart and breathing rates, blood pressure, skin temperature, sweating, or muscle activity. Biofeedback uses techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and mindfulness meditation to help you control otherwise uncontrollable processes like muscle tension, skin temperature, and brain activity.
How to Practice Complementary Methods and Techniques for Graves’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism
Most of the above complementary methods target the entire system, not just a particular organ or part of the body, like most traditional medical approaches. They all aim to restore the balance lost to the body and mind due to “disorder”. Very often, these methods cannot be scientifically proven, because the research methods applied by science today are mainly focused on randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled dose-response studies, which is impossible to apply for alternative methods. Regardless, they have been used for centuries to enhance the body’s healing processes. However, neither of these methods can or should be applied as a substitute for propylthiouracil or methimazole for the treatment of Graves’ disease. But they are all irreplaceable assistants in the process of treating Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism, since they are all aimed at relieving stress, which is the birthplace of all disorders today and stimulates the immune system.
My recommendation is to choose one of the above methods that seems most appealing to you and try it for at least 2 months, twice a week. If it doesn’t work, choose another one until you find the best one for you.