Hormones represent an amazing design of nature to help the body communicate. They are messengers, the language of the endocrine system. Hormones are also produced in organs other than endocrine glands like the heart, brain, kidney and skin, to name a few. Although there are at least 250 hormones, the most familiar are adrenaline, insulin, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, melatonin and thyroid. Hormones help to regulate reproduction, metabolism and growth. Hormones also send information within the body and from the energy system to the physical body. Hormones are released in cyclic patterns—daily or monthly, according to our needs.

Hormones are extremely important for our optimal health and well-being. If our hormones are out of balance, we won’t be able to function optimally and our organs won’t be getting the messages it needs for optimal health. If there is an imbalance in our hormonal levels, we will have difficulty responding to life’s ups and downs; we’ll be trying to survive, rather than moving forward to thrive. Our optimistic spirit and positivity will be harder to tap into.

Hormone production naturally changes with age, genetics, diet, exercise, emotions and lifestyle factors. Because cholesterol and amino acids are building blocks of hormones, the liver is important to the hormone production process, as it produces cholesterol. If the liver is compromised, then hormone production is compromised.

The adrenal glands are endocrine glands that produce adrenaline and cortisol. They are intimately associated with the kidneys physically and energetically. The kidney organs help the adrenals, and the adrenals help the kidneys.

Signs of adrenal fatigue include exhaustion, compulsive eating, increased belly fat, depression, decreased sex drive, reduced resistance to anger/stress, compromised immune system, memory loss and greater vulnerability to illness. A more serious disease is adrenal burnout. Signs include a burning feeling around the adrenal glands three to four inches up from the waist, chronic fatigue, difficulty breathing, back pain and spasms, inflammation and swelling in the areas above and below the navel, dry mouth, dehydration, reversed sleep schedule, and unstable blood sugar control. Two diseases associated with adrenal burnout are Addison’s Disease, corresponding to underactivity of the adrenal glands, and Cushing’s Disease, corresponding to overactivity of the adrenals.

To locate the adrenal glands, go one inch out from the navel and one and two inches up from there. The adrenal glands are on both the right and left sides of the body, and can also be located on the back at the same positions. If we push in at those positions, we might feel soreness or pain. Discomfort indicates the adrenal glands likely need to be balanced energetically. Rub these points to improve the energy flow to the adrenals. We can also tap into the energies using other techniques with an energy medicine practitioner.

For more information, call Dr. Ann Deatly at 201-925-1046 or email [email protected].