E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Simhasana

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2023 Volume 8 Number 3 March
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Role of Simhasana in the management of Hypothyroidism: A Review

P. Pawar N.1*, Khandekar V.2, Jain S.3
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21760/jaims.8.3.21

1* Neha P. Pawar, Post Graduate scholar, Department of Swasthavritta and Yoga, Govt. Ayurveda College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.

2 Vrushali Khandekar, Assistant Professor, Department of Swasthavritta and Yoga, Govt. Ayurveda College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.

3 Sumeeta Jain, Professor & HOD, Department of Swasthavritta and Yoga, Govt. Ayurveda College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which thyroid does not create and release enough thyroid hormone into blood Stream. People with thyroid disorder often hove emotional or mental health symptoms as well as physical symptom. Yoga is a series practises i.e., physical, mental, and spiritual practices which are originated from ancient India. Application of Yoga posture and practice to the treatment of hypothyroidism is the main aim of this article. In Yoga Bandhas are the most powerful technique as they change internal chemistry of the body in a fundamental way. Out of 4 types of Bandhas, Jalandhar Bandha (throat lock) is most important in treating throat disorder. In Simhasana there is application of Jalandhar Bandha, due to application of Jalandhar Bandha blood flow through carotid arteries get reduces which send signal to the brain activates parasympathetic nervous system as a result it create calmness in mind and relieve stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, improve sleep patterns, and enhance overall well-being and quality of in thyroid disorder. Simhasana presses the thyroid gland thereby increasing vascularity of the gland and maintaining proper functioning of gland, hence by practising this Asanas over a few months will definitely helps in hypothyroidism.

Keywords: Simhasana, Hypothyroidism, Jalandhar Bandha, Throat Lock

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Neha P. Pawar, Post Graduate scholar, Department of Swasthavritta and Yoga, Govt. Ayurveda College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
Email: 		Neha P. Pawar, Vrushali Khandekar, Sumeeta Jain, Role of Simhasana in the management of Hypothyroidism: A Review. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2023;8(3):116-119.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2344

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2023-01-25 2023-01-28 2023-02-04 2023-02-11 2023-02-18
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Nil Nil Yes 19%

© 2023by Neha P. Pawar, Vrushali Khandekar, Sumeeta Jainand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2023;8(3)116
Pawar N et al: Role of Simhasana in the management of Hypothyroidism

Introduction

In India, there is significant cases of thyroid diseases. As per various studies on thyroid disease, it has seen that 42 million people suffer from thyroid disorder.[1] Thyroid is an major endocrine gland situated at the root of the neck on either side of the trachea.[2] It secrete important thyroid hormones having major action on our body. Like, action on basal metabolic rate, action on carbohydrates, protein, fat metabolism, action on body temperature, action on sleep, action on sexual function and action on various other endocrine gland.[3]

When there is imbalance of these thyroid hormones all the system of our body get affected, so to improve the function of these system and to maintain a good health we need to improve the thyroid function. Yoga is a series of practises i.e physical, mental, and spiritual practices which is originated from ancient India. In Simhasana there is application of Jalandhar Bandha. Jalandhar Bandha (throat lock) is most important in treating throat disorder. Bandha reduces blood supply to the carotid arteries which send signal to the brain thereby activating parasympathetic nervous system as a result it creates calmness in mind and relieve stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, improve sleep patterns, and enhance overall well-being and quality of life in thyroid disorder.

Aim

To study the effect and role of Simhasana in the management of Hypothyroidism.

Review of Literature

Yoga: Yoga is a series of physical, mental, and spiritual practices which is originated from ancient India.[4]

The Sanskrit noun Yoga is derrived from the sanscrit root Yuj, which means “to attach, to join.[5]

As per Yoga Sutras Of Patanjali

Yogas Chitta Vritti Nirodhah.

It means Yoga is responsible to remove fluctuation from mind.

Bandha: The word Bandha means to hold, lock tightens. So, it is a posture which

gripped, contracted, or controlled certain organ or parts of the body.[6] Bandhas are the types of neuromuscular locks and most powerful technique in yoga and performed to control the function of endocrine gland in the body.[7]

Jalandhar Bandha: The name comes from the Sanscrit, Jal, meaning "throat". Dharan, meaning " stream". And Bandha, meaning "lock". According to Hath Yoga Pradeepika, extending neck while lifting the heart then dropping the chin to the chest is called Jalandhar Bandha. Which destroy old age and death.[8]

Simhasana: The name comes from the Sanskrit word Simha meaning “lion” and Asana meaning “posture” or “seat”. The pose has also been named Narasimhasana, as in the 19th century Joga Pradipika, from Sanskrit Narasimha, a lion - man Avtar of the god Vishnu.[9]

Standard Operating Procedure[10]

Sthiti: Sitting position

  • Sit down on your knees in Vajrasans. Spread your knees as far apart as possible.
  • Lean forward, place the palms between your knees on the floor, but the fingers facing back towards the body. Open the eyes and focus your gaze on the centre of your brow.
  • Keep your mouth closed and inhale deeply while relaxing the body.
  • Exhale through your mouth, bring out the tongue and produce a powerful, clear ‘haa’ sound.
  • Close the mouth and inhale again through the nose.
  • Try to maintain the pose for up to 30 second or more.
  • Perform it twice or thrice.

The Thyroid Gland: It is an endocrine gland found in the front of the neck, and connected by an isthmus containing two lobes, just below the Adam’s apple. The thyroid gland secrets three hormones namely thyroxin i.e., T4, triiodothyronine i.e., T3, and Calcitonin.[11] The thyroid hormones primarily influence the metabolic rate and protein synthesis. Calcitonin plays an important role in keeping calcium at normal level. Thyroid stimulating hormone regulate the secretion of hormone


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from the thyroid gland, secreted from the anterior pituitary gland, and TSH secretion is regulated by thyrotropin-releasing (TRH) which is secreted by the hypothalamus.[12]

Blood Supply of Thyroid Gland

Arterial Supply: The superior thyroid artery supplies arterial blood to thyroid. The superior thyroid artery divides into anterior and posterior branches supplying the thyroid and the inferior thyroid artery divided into superior and inferior branches.[13] Behind the outer part of the thyroid lobes, the superior and inferior thyroid arteries join together.

Venous Supply: The venous blood is drain into the internal jugular vein.[14] The inferior thyroid veins drains into the left and right brachiocephalic veins.[15]

Nerve Supply: The superior, middle and inferior cervical ganglion of the sympathetic trunk supplies sympathetic nerve supply to the gland. Superior laryngeal nerve and the recurrent laryngeal nerve supplies parasympathetic nerve supply to the gland.

Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is defined as a clinical state resulting from insufficient secretion of the thyroid hormone from thyroid gland due to some of the structural or functional impairment of the thyroid hormone production.[16] The thyroid gland situated just below adam’s apple. It produces two thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which regulate the body metabolic rate.[17]

Primary hypothyroidism: When thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels are low and levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) secreted by anterior pituitary high then it is called as primary hypothyroidism.

Secondary hypothyroidism: When TSH is low and T4 and T3 levels are high then it is called as secondary hypothyroidism.[18]

Subclinical Hypothyroiodism: Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level of 4.6 to 10 mIU/L.

Discussion

As in Simhasana there is application of Jalandhar Bandha, Jalandhar Bandha exerts pressure on many major nerve fibres pass through the neck and the flow of nervous impulses to the brain is restricted.

Due to pressure impulses collect in the cervical plexus and flood into the brain when pressure due to Jalandhar Bandh released. Higher centres in the brain get activated due to force of these impulses. Pituitary hormonal secretions flow through the blood stream to the endocrine glands.

The Carotid Sinus is flat portion where the blood vessel is divided into two parts. Due to inner or outside pressure wall surrounding Carotid Sinus which is thin and can easily get affected. Carotid Nerve passing from here goes high up into the skull and then down into the brain, which has relation with internal carotid, external carotid sinus. The Jalandhar Bandha is the process where pressure exerted on this nerve is transmitted to the Brain. The nerves are activated to send a signal to the brain when the pressure is exerted on carotid sinus due to the peculiar position of the neck.

Conclusion

As we practice Simhasana by applying Jalandhar Bandha with breath retention and due to pressure of Bandhas slows down the blood supply to the carotid arteries for a moment and then released forcefully which send signal to the brain and stimulate parasympathetic nervous system as a result it create calmness in mind and relieve emotional or mental symptoms associated with thyroid disorder, relieving stress, anxiety and anger and thereby increasing the thyroid gland function and metabolism.

Reference

1. Unnikrishnan AG. Prevalence of hypothyroidism in adults: An epidemiological study in eight cities of India, Indian J Endocr Metab, 2013;17:647-52

2. Sembulingam K. Essentials of medical physiology, 6th ed. Jaypee Brothers Medical Limited, 2013, Chapter 67, Pg no-388.

3. Sembulingam K. Essentials of medical physiology, 6th ed. Jaypee Brothers Medical Limited, 2013, chapter 67, Pg 391-393.

4. "yoga,n."OED online.Oxford University Press.September 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2015).

5. Samagandi K. Swasthavritta Sudha, Ayurved Sanscrit Hindi Pustak Bhandar, 2020, Chapter 19, Pg.no-189.


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6. Agrawal S, “Pranayaama” The modular of life, Chaukhamba Orientalia Varanasi, Reprint edition 2014, ISBN : 978-81-7637-062- 2, Chap. 04 , Pg. No. 29.

7. “gulfnews.com/lifestyle/health-fitness/yoga-bandhas-for-endocrinal health-1.1659581

8. Paramhansa Swami. Hathayoga pradeepika, Choukhamba Orientaliya Delhi, 2013, Chapter 3, Verse70, Pg. No.87-88.

9. https:// en.m.wikipedia.org

10. https:// www.myupchar.com

11. Bach-Huynh T-G. Timing of Levothyroxine Administration Affects Serum Thyrotropin Concentration. J Clin Endocrinol Metab [Internet]. 2009; 94(10):3905–12

12. Zanco SM. Journal of medical sciences [Internet]. Vol. 14, Zanco Journal of Medical Sciences (Zanco J Med Sci). Hawler Medical University; 2010;. 48_54-48_54.

13. Boeving A. Low-Normal or High-Normal Thyrotropin Target Levels During Treatment of Hypothyroidism: A Prospective, Comparative Study. Thyroid [Internet]. 2011;21(4):355–60.

14. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21742277/

15. Roberts CG. Hypothyroidism. Lancet [Internet], 2004; 363(9411):793–803.

16. Bolk N. Effects of Evening Vs Morning Thyroxine Ingestion on Serum Thyroid Hormone Profiles In Hypothyroid Patients, Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) [Internet]. 2006; 0(0):061019025934001

17. Viswanath AK. Is Annual Surveillance Of All Treated Hypothyroid Patients Necessary? BMC Endocr Disord [Internet]. BioMed Central; 2007;7:4.


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