EDIT:
I’ve gotten a lot of comments about the anatomy of the adrenal glands. The area you are feeling has to do the the lymphatics of the adrenals. Not exactly feeling the adrenal glands themselves, but the direct affect they have on the body. The adrenals are located about four inches out rather than the one inch mentioned in the article.
The adrenal glands are responsible for our base line energy. They put out hormones that make us feel good and give us a lust for life. There are many possible consequences to adrenal fatigue, with different manifestations for different individuals.
Adrenal symptoms will usually include extreme fatigue, although you could feel hyper or jittery at times. Other conditions often develop as well: lower back pain, depression, panic attacks and IBS to name a few. Here are 30 symptoms of adrenal fatigue if you’d like to check that out.
The definitive test for adrenal fatigue is a saliva test for cortisol levels at different times of day, at least four. However, there is a simple test you can do on yourself or have a friend do on you.
It is possible for most people to find and feel the adrenal glands, especially when they are swollen from trying to keep up with undo demand which leads to adrenal exhaustion. If your adrenal glands are easy to find, then you probably have adrenal fatigue.
When you press into an adrenal gland that is swollen from exhaustion, you will feel a very uncomfortable feeling in the area. This is not just from pain, but also because of toxins that you press out of the gland when you press into it. As you will see on the video, this is a good thing.
You may find that one gland is more swollen and uncomfortable than the other. This is common, and actually could be a good sign since major adrenal fatigue usually is accompanied by two very swollen and tender adrenal glands.
To find the adrenal glands you start at the belly button. Then, move up one inch and to the right or left one inch. They are on both sides, and you need to find both of them to determine what’s happening with them.
Good adrenal hunting, and let me know how it works for you in the comments below.
Hi,
I have not received your regular emails lately and I am wondering if they will continue eventually. Also and even more importantly, I am wonderigng if you know how to or can find out how to manipulate and therefore restore the vagus nerve. I had a really bad experience with a cervical chiropractor and after his adjustment I had problems getting up in the morning, was cloudy brained and became even more constipated than I was before (after my back injury) Can you help me? Thanx.
P.S. I have already tried your self neck adjustment.
Hi Jojo,
I hope to continue posting to the blog now that a few things have settled down. But, I am traveling again soon, and I have no idea what that will bring. I hope I can keep it up though.
I am very sorry to hear about your experience with the chiropractor. Most likely, you have a bulging disc somewhere. You might be able to adjust it with a little more information. Give me a call sometime, and I’ll see if I can help you with it. The connection is at the bottom of every page on the blog here. Or, use the contact tab above to send your phone number and I’ll call you. I won’t charge for a short call.
Hello,
I have been to my doctor and she has confirmed through an eye and blood test that I have adrenal fatigue. I used supplements for about 1-2 months, that were prescribed by her. I did not get a refill because I wanted to heal myself. It’s been about a month since I haven’t used the supplements. With having adrenal fatigue for about 3 months now, I still feel as if I am not getting better. I am an 18 year old college freshman at UC Davis. College is stressful, and it makes it difficult to take care of myself. I was wondering if you had any ideas of how I can cure myself before it’s too late. My doctor told me that if I drain out my adrenals any more, then I will be in a wheel chair for the rest of my life. I need some advice on quick recovery, thank you.
18 is much too young to have such issues, but there is good news. It doesn’t take young people long to heal from this condition. And, adrenal fatigue doesn’t necessarily lead to a wheel chair. People with no adrenal function at all usually get around okay, though they usually have a lot of problems.
I have a new book out on how to self treat adrenal fatigue, you can get information about it at the tab that says Adrenal Fatigue Book. It is on sale for a very low price right now, but email me from the contact button if you can’t afford it and I’ll send you the protocol that will likely help you. Be sure to tell me more about it.
Hi, I came across this page after searching for information about adrenal insufficiency. I’m almost positive that I’ve been suffering it for over four years now but I haven’t been able to find a doctor who will listen to me and test for adrenal problems. I followed your video and felt a very strong throbbing when I pressed down on my adrenals (also very painful like you said it would be). The throbbing is stronger than if I were to check my pulse on my neck which makes me concerned. Should I be worried or am I supposed to feel it throbbing when I press down?
I have a 15yr old daughter who suffers from extremely painful periods. For about the last 18 months they have got worse also she experiences serve nausea even when she hasn’t got her period and now is experincing hot & cold flushes and random shooting pains all over her body. I am at my wits end to find a way to help her main stream doctors don’t seem to have a clue. She has always been a anxious child and very shy. So was wondering if you think adrenals could be the problem here and also low progesterone levels. Many thanks
@Cristina I haven’t felt throbbing before. It is possible that you found an artery instead. The main thing you’ll feel is a pain in the area. It may feel tight to the touching hand. Also, one side will usually be worse than the other.
@Deborah Fish oils may help. Large doses up to 6 grams twice a day for a month or so (if she doesn’t eat fish regularly, less may be needed if she does) — then a maintenance dose of one gram once or twice a day. However, with the other symptoms I suspect something else is going on. Does she eat animal protein? Necessary for most people to maintain good adrenal health. How about processed foods like ground grains and sugar? Long term adrenal fatigue will lead to anxiety (brain chemistry imbalance) and hormone changes.
The adrenal glands are the triangular creamy coloured things that sit right on top of each kidney, they kind of coat the top of each kidney I never thought you could access them from the front. Also, every picture I look at has them WAY above the belly button.
@Pix, the demonstrated points are actually the lymphatics for the adrenal glands. They get inflamed when the adrenals are exhausted.
I have had a osophagectomy will my adrenals still be in the same place?
The area shown is actually the adrenal lymphatics. The chances are that this physical test will still be accurate. But, things can be pretty different after any surgery.
Good info here. Thank you. I do have adrenal fatigue and am working with a chiropractor to heal. My question is: would adrenal fatigue be a reason for water retention in just one area after any amount of sodium? Never have had that problem before and it seems to coincide with the increase of fatigue as of late. thanks!
Laura, it is possible, but not something I’ve heard of before. There is often a sodium issue with adrenal fatigue, but usually not enough. I’d be sure to eat plenty of fresh vegetables — usually cooked as AF can inhibit digestion, and use a quality salt like Himalayan if you do have any.