160 How to Support the Nervous System for Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism with Dr. Cathleen King

Full (detailed) Episode Show Notes Available Here:
https://healthmysteriessolved.com/160-how-to-support-the-nervous-system-for-hashimotos-and-hypothyroidism/

The Case: 

• Terri Ann was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and has struggled with symptoms for years.
• She’s experienced weight gain, exhaustion, food sensitivities, anxiety, depression, hair loss, sleep issues, and brain fog.
• She’s seen countless practitioners and has tried everything with no consistent results.
• She’s become reliant on supplements, even though they are not working.

First Steps in Healing Hashimoto’s Chronic Symptoms

I have seen Terri Ann’s Hashimoto’s symptoms before and I knew something was lying under the surface. My first step was to get her access to the Primal Trust Program since they specialize in tough chronic cases like this.  Also if you don’t know your thyroid type of your immune triggers, please join me at my next Free Hashimoto’s Training Here

The Investigation with Dr. Cathleen King

Who better to discuss Terri Ann’s case than the creator of the Primal Trust Program, Dr. Cathleen King? She’s a renowned physical therapist and neuroscience-based mind-body practitioner. As the CEO and founder of the Primal Trust Academy & Community, Dr. King specializes in addressing chronic illnesses, including autoimmunity, Lyme disease, chronic fatigue, long-haul COVID, mold issues, and Mass Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Her unique approach combines brain retraining, vagus nerve toning somatics, and trauma-informed practices to unlock self-healing so I knew she’d be so helpful with this case. 

The Multifaceted Approach to Supporting Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism

If you’ve listened to this show for a while then you know I am a staunch believer in having a multifaceted approach to supporting anyone with Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism. Dr. King is also a big supporter of this approach so we kick off our conversation by exploring how interconnected systems are affected, because having one autoimmune disease often links to others. Triggers for these conditions vary, from infections to toxins and mold, which is exactly why we need a comprehensive, whole-body perspective. Our conversation starts with looking at the foundational role of the nervous system, something often overlooked in conventional approaches.

Your Nervous System's Crucial Role in Managing Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s

There is no minimizing the foundational importance of the nervous system in addressing autoimmune and thyroid conditions. As the master regulator, the autonomic nervous system influences organ functions, endocrine processes, and digestion. Stress responses mark the beginning of these health challenges, prompting compensatory measures by the body. Dr. King focuses on the intricate control panel aspect of the nervous system, highlighting the potential for positively influencing the autonomic nervous system. In other words, we can make a difference in managing our thyroid issues by managing our nervous system.

The Overlooked Nervous System

Despite being the master switch that runs the show, the nervous system often takes a back seat in health discussions. Dr. King explains that this is because we have all normalized stress in our lives, a factor often overlooked in conventional medical approaches. Instead of stress analysis and tailored exercises for the nervous system, the focus is usually on blood tests and markers. And Dr. King would know because, as she shares in this episode, her decade-long journey included a battery of tests, supplements, and protocols, missing the crucial piece of the puzzle: the state of her autonomic nervous system. This gap in the medical approach is the fire that fuels her mission – redefining how we handle chronic illnesses by making nervous system regulation a central part of the strategy.

Understanding the Polyvagal Response to Busy Lives

So many of us are juggling busy lives. Dr. Cathleen King outlines a practical approach to nervous system support for anyone who has a million things on the go. She suggests the polyvagal theory (coined by Stephen Porges), where you map your nervous system states throughout the day, identifying moments of fight or flight, immobilization, or a safe mode. 

Here are the three states and how to determine which you’re in:

1. Ventral Vagal State: Safe Connection and Calmness

In this first state, the ventral vagal state, there's a sense of safety, open connection, and calmness.

1. Sympathetic State: Stress and Motivation

The second state, the sympathetic state, encapsulates the fight/flight response to stress. Chronic activation can lead to stress-related challenges.

1. Dorsal Vagal State: Shutdown and Resting

The third state, the dorsal vagal state, is characterized by shutdown, collapse, and immobility. Recognizing stress responses normalized in this state becomes crucial for self-awareness.

Mapping when you are in each of these states throughout the day is the key because this awareness allows for subtle course corrections within the demands of a busy life. Consciously taking a breath or responding differently becomes a realistic starting point for those managing multiple responsibilities.

Your Nervous System Toolkit

Dr. King provides some great tools for connecting to your nervous system so you can better control it. Feeling into your body might sound like a new concept for many accustomed to being trapped in their heads. It's about tuning into the sensations in your body, a shift for those not used to being present in their bodies. Nervous system tools come in handy, offering diverse approaches from vagus nerve toning to brain retraining and somatics. The diversity of the toolkit she shares recognizes that there's no one-size-fits-all solution, catering to different time constraints and preferences.

Connecting Thyroid Issues with Vagus Nerve Toning

Dr. King shares the benefits of vagus nerve toning exercises, especially for anyone dealing with thyroid issues or Hashimoto’s. The vagus nerve acts as the conductor orchestrating the harmony of bodily functions, serving as the on-off switch of illness. Various exercises, including breathing techniques and Voo-Woo breaths, aim to bring this powerhouse nerve into optimal shape. These exercises involve using your voice to stimulate the vagus nerve, promoting a sense of safety and toning the fifth chakra, where the thyroid resides. The focus on stimulating the vagus nerve is akin to working out a muscle at the gym, enhancing organ function, and improving communication between the brain and body.

The Throat Chakra and Voice Connection to Thyroid Health

The throat chakra and our ability to express ourselves connect with the broader nervous system. Engaging in nervous system work provides the capacity to feel safe expressing our truth. Dr. Cathleen King emphasizes the importance of working on trauma patterns by developing more states of safety. Speaking your truth requires feeling safe in your body, a journey that may take time but is considered crucial for thyroid health and overall nervous system well-being.

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