Dry Brushing: Better than coffee!

As many of us know, toxicity from the environment and heavy metals can play a role in causing Hashimoto's.  One of the first things my doctor suggested to help with detox my system was to work on supporting the lymphatic system.  Dry brushing is a simple, inexpensive way to start that process.

Dry brushing stimulates the lymphatic system and sets in motion the body's natural healing process.  It also promotes blood circulation and aids in releasing toxins.  In Ayurveda, this process is called Garshana.  I first learned about Garshana in 2007 when I attended the Perfect Health program at the Chopra Center.  After a week of Ayurvedic treatments and food, I felt better than I ever had before.  Of course, this was before I had Hashimoto's.  Because I have sensitive skin, I was wary of taking those scratchy, dry bristles and brushing my skin with them but after my doctor reminded me of this type of therapy, I gave it a try. 

Now, I'm hooked!

With all the fatigue and fog that can come with Hashimoto's, dry brushing is a welcome treatment.  Before I was diagnosed, I drank gallons of coffee to keep my energy up.  Now that I know it's best to skip the coffee, I dry brush first thing in the morning. It only takes me 5 minutes! The stimulation from my skin being brushed wakes me up in such a refreshing way that I now look forward to the brush instead of a Cup of Joe.  It's a pretty amazing experience and here are some of its benefits:

• Assists body's lymphatic system to release toxins
• Exfoliates the skin
• Promotes cell regeneration
• Can improve cellulite (I'm still waiting to see those results! ;-)
• Leaves you feeling energized and invigorated (no need for the coffee!)

This is how the Chopra Center suggests you dry brush.  I have seen other methods as well. I just do what feels best to me.

Won't you give it a try?  And, if you have, tell us your experience...

Beginning My Journey

My adventure with Hashimoto's began almost a year ago when I was finally, successfully diagnosed by Dr. Sadeghi at Behive of Healing.  After years of communicating symptoms with several different doctors, I finally found one who truly listened and went beyond the standard blood tests (see previous post on Why I Started This Blog.)  He actually did a full thyroid panel and tested my TSH and TPO antibody levels. Finally, I had a diagnosis and the healing could begin!

One of the first suggestions that Dr. Sadeghi made was to read, The Autoimmune Epidemic so that I could understand the disease. Honestly, I found the book frightening  and stressful to read but it did outline all the different forces that come together to create Hashimoto's in the body.  For that reason, it is a valuable resource I can recommend.

What I learned from the book was that there are many forms of toxicity that create an autoimmune response.  A lot of this toxicity comes from the environment.  One thing the book suggests we check are our heavy metal levels.  I had mine checked and my levels for mercury and lead were off the charts.  So, the first part of my healing plan was to address the heavy metal toxicity.

Have you had your heavy metal levels checked?  What types of treatments were presented to you to get rid of the toxins?