The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck that secretes hormones to regulate the body's use of energy, metabolic processes and growth.

Around one in 20 people will experience some form of thyroid dysfunction in their lifetime and women are more likely to have an underactive thyroid.

Thyroid disorders fall into two categories. There is hyperthyroidism characterized by an overactive thyroid gland that produces too much thyroid hormone.

Typical symptoms of hyperthyroidism include high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, moist skin, increased sweating, tremor, nervousness, increased appetite with weight loss, diarrhoea, and/or frequent bowel movements.

Hypothyroidism, on the other hand, is characterized by an under-active thyroid gland. Typical symptoms include a hoarse voice, slowed speech, puffy face, drooping eyelids, sensitivity to cold, constipation, weight gain, dry hair and skin, and depression.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regards both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism as Yin/Yang imbalances. When treating either condition, TCM will typically employ acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy to rebalance an individual’s Yin and Yang.

Your practitioner will ascertain the external factors (such as diet and physical injury) and internal factors (such as emotional states, mental stimulation, and hereditary conditions) can affect qi movement in the body and cause a Yin/Yang imbalance.