Have you ever doubted what these two little “Endocrine System Glands” can do, just watch this news sometime.
When you hear of some heroic headline -”"Firemen Rush into Burning Building”, or “Mother Lifts Car off Trapped Child”… the adrenals are implicated (for example in acts of strength and stamina along with the downright super-human).
Let’s take a glance at these amazing organs from the body, and then we’ll discuss their reflexology reflex points.
The adrenals (also called suprarenal glands) would be the star-shaped endocrine glands that take a seat on top of the kidneys. They’re chiefly accountable for regulating the stress response with the synthesis of corticosteroids and catecholamines, including cortisol and adrenaline, respectively.
Anatomy and function
Anatomically, our adrenals are located within the abdominal cavity situated atop the kidneys, specifically on their anterosuperior aspect. They’re also encompassed by the adipose capsule and the renal fascia. Available at the amount of the 12th thoracic vertebra, they receive their blood supply from the adrenal arteries.
The adrenal gland is separated into two distinct structures, each of which receive regulatory input in the nervous system:
Adrenal medulla
The adrenal medulla consists of masses of neurons that are area of the sympathetic branch from the autonomic central nervous system. Instead of releasing their neurotransmitters in a synapse, these neurons release them in to the blood. Thus, although part of the central nervous system, the adrenal medulla functions as an endocrine gland.
The adrenal medulla releases:
o adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) and
o noradrenaline (also known as norepinephrine)
Discharge of adrenaline and noradrenaline is triggered by nervous stimulation in reaction to physical or mental stress.
A few of the effects are:
o increase in the rate and strength from the heartbeat leading to increased blood pressure level;
o blood shunted from the skin and viscera towards the skeletal muscles, coronary arteries, liver, and brain;
o rise in blood sugar levels;
o increased metabolism;
o bronchi dilate;
o pupils dilate;
o hair stands on end (“goosebumps”);
o clotting time of the blood is reduced;
o increased ACTH secretion from the anterior lobe of the pituitary.
Many of these effects prepare your body to take immediate and vigorous action!
Adrenal cortex
Using cholesterol because the starting material, the cells from the adrenal cortex secrete a number of steroid hormones.
These fall under three classes:
1. Glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol)
The glucocorticoids get their name from their effect of raising the level of blood sugar (glucose). One way edge in the game is as simple as stimulating gluconeogenesis within the liver: the conversion of fat and protein into intermediate metabolites which are ultimately converted into glucose.
The most abundant glucocorticoid is cortisol (also called hydrocortisone).
Cortisol and also the other glucocorticoids also have a potent anti-inflammatory effect on your body. They depress the immune response, especially cell-mediated immune responses.
Because of this glucocorticoids are popular in therapy:
o to reduce the inflammatory destruction of rheumatoid arthritis and other
autoimmune diseases
o to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs
o to control asthma
2. Mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone)
The mineralocorticoids get their name from their effect on mineral metabolism. The most important of them is the steroid aldosterone.
Aldosterone acts on the kidney promoting the reabsorption of sodium ions (Na+) into the blood. Water follows the salt and this helps maintain normal blood pressure level.
Aldosterone also
o acts on sweat glands to lessen losing sodium in perspiration;
o acts on taste cells to improve the sensitivity from the taste buds to sources of sodium.
3. Androgens (e.g., testosterone)
The adrenal cortex secretes precursors to androgens such as testosterone.
In sexually-mature males, this source is so much lower than that of the testes that it is probably of little physiological significance. However, excessive production of adrenal androgens may cause premature puberty in young boys.
In females, the adrenal cortex is really a major supply of androgens. Their hypersecretion may create a masculine pattern of body hair and cessation of menstruation.
Fight-or-flight response
The fight-or-flight response, also known as the fright, fight or flight response, hyperarousal or the acute stress response. We respond to threats having a general relieve the sympathetic central nervous system, priming your pet for fighting or fleeing. Thisactivation is assigned to specific physiological actions within the system, both directly and indirectly through the release of epinephrine (adrenaline) and to a smaller extent norepinephrine from the medulla from the adrenal glands.
An “Adrenaline Rush” means a task of the Adrenal gland in a Fight-or-flight response, when it’s releasing Adrenaline (Epinephrine). A chronic hyper adrenaline is a common characteristic of an anxiety disorder.
So much packed into such a small package!
And, what does it mean to reflexologists?
If you have a client who’s stressed, anxious, overworked, overtired or who just lives in Nyc – you’ll likely watch a “change in tissue texture” round the adrenal gland reflex on the foot (it’ll be sensitive around the hand reflex area as well – don’t flex too hard there – rather work in to the point gradually).
Well we realize that stress is s big element in our everyday lives, however when there’s added stress because of emotional issues, health issues, everyday life issues… Now, who couldn’t make use of a little support.
Our first task is to find the reflex points:
On the feet the “Adrenal Gland Reflex” is located on the lateral shaft from the 1st metatarsal, close to the base. That puts it (vertically) between metatarsals one and 2 and (horizontally) approximately half way between the waist and also the diaphragm reflex line landmarks.
Usually you can’t miss it. There’s often a BIG alternation in the tissue texture! Now, don’t think you’re dying if you discover so that it is sore in your foot.
Remember it is a “call for energy” and not a verifiable illness.
However, it’s inside your client’s welfare to spend a little TLC time on that reflex point. Roll into it or hold it steady. Is there one of the ways that’s better than another to operate that little point… probably, but it is not because “The Professor”"said therefore it is what the tissue needs – so “listen” towards the tissue.
I love to work on this reflex point and don’t be surprised if you see it may even be available on other reflex zones.
What else are you able to do?
A big adrenal stimulator is caffeine. It’ll increase the release of our linked to stress hormones also it keeps the body inside a continuous, and unnecessary, state of stress – which can stress the adrenals as well as other organs and glands. If the continues for too much time, you’ll likely notice other symptoms like fatigue, irritability, allergies, sleeplessness and… and wherewithal to deal with stress. Difficult.
Always check having a professional before treating yourself (and do not think about treating others unless you’re a doctor). Some self-help texts say that small amounts of licorice help by serving as a re-uptake inhibitor for adrenaline. But, too much licorice can increase other hormones, so only use in small quantities.