Endocrine System Tuning Forks

The Endocrine Tuning Forks are vibrationally intuned with a healthy functioning Endocrine System. By having regular attunements one can reprogram the endocrine system to that of healthy vibrations and keep an already healthy Endocrine System healthy. To understand the importance of Endocrine Health lets take a closer look at the Endocrine System. A session is approximately 35-40 minutes and is an investment in your well-being of $65.

Endocrine System

The nervous system sends electrical messages to control and coordinate the body. The endocrine system has a similar job, but uses chemicals to “communicate”. These chemicals are known as horlmones. A hormone is a specific messenger molecule synthesized and secreted by a group of specialized cells called an endocrine gland. These glands are ductless, which means that their secretions (hormones) are released directly into the bloodstream and travel to elsewhere in the body to target organs, upon which they act. Note that this is in contrast to our digestive glands, which have ducts for releasing the digestive enzymes.

Pheromones are also communication chemicals, but are used to send signals to other members of the same species. Queen bees, ants, and naked mole rats exert control of their respective colonies via pheromones. One common use for pheromones is as attractants in mating. Pheromones are widely studied in insects and are the basis for some kinds of Japanese beetle and gypsy moth traps. While pheromones have not been so widely studied in humans, some interesting studies have been done in recent years on pheromonal control of menstrual cycles in women. It has been found that pheromones in male sweat and/or sweat from another “dominant” female will both influence/regulate the cycles of women when smeared on their upper lip, just below the nose. Also, there is evidence that continued reception of a given man’s pheromone(s) by a woman in the weeks just after ovulation/fertilization can significantly increase the chances of successful implantation of the new baby in her uterus. Pheromones are also used for things like territorial markers (urine) and alarm signals.

Each hormone’s shape is specific and can be recognized by the corresponding target cells. The binding sites on the target cells are called hormone receptors. Many hormones come in antagonistic pairs that have opposite effects on the target organs. For example, insulin and glucagon have opposite effects on the liver’s control of blood sugar level. Insulin lowers the blood sugar level by instructing the liver to take glucose out of circulation and store it, while glucagon instructs the liver to release some of its stored supply to raise the blood sugar level. Much hormonal regulation depends on feedback loops to maintain balance and homeostasis.

There are three general classes (groups) of hormones. These are classified by chemical structure, not function.

• steroid hormones including prostaglandins which function especially in a variety of female functions (aspirin inhibits synthesis of prostaglandins, some of which cause “cramps”) and the sex hormones all of which are lipids made from cholesterol,
• amino acid derivatives (like epinephrine) which are derived from amino acids, especially tyrosine, and
• peptide hormones (like insulin) which is the most numerous/diverse group of hormones.

The major human endocrine glands include:
 

Adrenal Glands

The Adrrenal Glanda are associated with the Root Chakra. The two adrenal glands are triangular-shaped glands located on top of each kidney. The adrenal glands are made up of two parts. The outer part is called the adrenal cortex, and the inner part is called the adrenal medulla. The outer part produces hormones called corticosteroids, which regulate the body's metabolism, the balance of salt and water in the body, the immune system, and sexual function. The inner part, or adrenal medulla, produces hormones called catecholamines (for example, adrenaline). These hormones help the body cope with physical and emotional stress by increasing the heart rate and blood pressure.

Reproductive Glands

The reproductive glands are associated with the Sacral Chakra. The reproductive glands are the main source of sex hormones. In males, the testes, located in the scrotum, secrete hormones called androgens; the most important of which is testosterone. These hormones affect many male characteristics (for example, sexual development, growth of facial hair and pubic hair) as well as sperm production. In females, the ovaries, located on both sides of the uterus, produce estrogen and progesterone as well as eggs. These hormones control the development of female characteristics (for example, breast growth), and they are also involved in reproductive functions (for example, menstruation, pregnancy).

 

Pancreas

The pancreas is associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra. The pancreas is an elongated organ located toward the back of the abdomen behind the stomach. The pancreas has digestive and hormonal functions. One part of the pancreas, the exocrine pancreas, secretes digestive enzymes. The other part of the pancreas, the endocrine pancreas, secretes hormones called insulin and glucagon. These hormones regulate the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

 

Thymus

The thymus gland is associated with the Heart Chakra. The thymus gland is positioned in the upper part of the chest cavity, directly behind the sternum. It is pinkish-gray in color and blends in with the surrounding tissue as you age. Two irregularly shaped parts make up the thymus, and though it continues to grow throughout puberty, the gland then begins to diminish in size.

The role of the thymus gland is to process lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that travel the body through the bloodstream. They stop at lymph nodes to ensure everything is working properly, and if not, it is believed that they jump into action to fix any issues. These T-lymphocytes, or T-cells, play a part in cellular immunity by blocking the invasion of harmful foreign agents, viruses, and bacteria. They also aid in preventing the abnormal cell growth that occurs with cancer.

If the thymus gland is removed in infancy, the immune system will never fully develop. There is a great degree of infection risk in patients who have no thymus gland, or whose thymus never developed properly. The majority of lymphocyte production happens early in life, so the thymus gland deteriorates with age. In youth, the thymus will reach the size of an apple, but it is reduced to the size of a small marble in the elderly. By the time a person reaches senior citizen status, it is likely their thymus is barely discernible from surrounding fatty tissues.

Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): Hormones that control sexual function and production of the sex steroids, estrogen and progesterone in females or testosterone in males

Adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH): Stimulates the adrenal gland to produce several related steroid hormones

Thyroid Gland

The thyroid and parathyroid glands are associated with the Throat Chakra. The thyroid gland is located in the lower front part of the neck. It produces thyroid hormones that regulate the body's metabolism. It also plays a role in bone growth and development of the brain and nervous system in children. The pituitary gland controls the release of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones also help maintain normal blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, muscle tone, and reproductive functions.

Parathyroid Glands

The parathyroid glands are two pairs of small glands embedded in the surface of the thyroid gland, one pair on each side. They release parathyroid hormone, which plays a role in regulating calcium levels in the blood and bone metabolism.

 

Pineal Body

The pineal body is associated with the Brow Chakra. The pineal body, or pineal gland, is located in the middle of the brain. It secretes a hormone called melatonin, which may help regulate the wake-sleep cycle of the body.

 

Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland is associated with the Crown Chakra. The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain beneath the hypothalamus and is no larger than a pea. It is often considered the most important part of the endocrine system because it produces hormones that control many functions of other endocrine glands. When the pituitary gland does not produce one or more of its hormones or not enough of them, it is called hypopituitarism.

The pituitary gland is divided into two parts: the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. The anterior lobe produces the following hormones, which are regulated by the hypothalamus:

Growth hormone: Stimulates growth of bone and tissue. Growth hormone deficiency in children results in growth failure. Growth hormone definiency in adults results in problems in maintaining proper amounts of body fat and muscle and bone mass. It is also involved in emotional well-being.)

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): Stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones (A lack of thyroid hormones either because of a defect in the pituitary or the thyroid itself is called hypothyroidism.)

Prolactin: Hormone that stimulates milk production in females

The posterior lobe produces the following hormones, which are not regulated by the hypothalamus:

Antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin): Controls water loss by the kidneys

Oxytocin: Contracts the uterus during childbirth and stimulates milk production

The hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary are actually produced in the brain and carried to the pituitary gland through nerves. They are stored in the pituitary gland.