Getting massages have been known to have a host of health benefits for those who swear by them. So, it should be no surprise that the therapeutic treatment may also benefit those with diabetes.
According to “Is Massage Useful in the Management of Diabetes? A Systematic Review,” an article published in Diabetes Spectrum (a publication of the American Diabetes Association), researchers found that massage, among the fastest growing complementary therapies in the United States, has potential therapeutic benefits for those living with diabetes.
Diabetes & Your Feet
People with diabetes are at risk for developing a number of foot problems, including neuropathy (nerve damage), poor blood flow, foot ulcers and skin changes like calluses, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Without proper care and diabetes management, people with diabetes are at high risk of having a leg or foot amputated.
The ADA states:
Many people with diabetes have peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which reduces blood flow to the feet. Also, many people with diabetes have nerve disease, which reduces sensation. Together, these problems make it easy to get ulcers and infections that may lead to amputation.
However, with regular care and the right footwear most amputations are preventable.
Why Massage?
Massage has been recommended for diabetes for near 100 years. It may help increase insulin absorption. Some benefits of massage reported for those with diabetes include:
When blood sugars are high, small blood vessels in the feet become narrow and blood flow to the extremities (like the feet) is restricted. Massage promotes relaxation, reduced muscle tension and reduced heart rate and blood pressure. It is also proven to decrease anxiety in people with diabetes.
Several trials indicate that both children and adult’s anxiety and depression levels decreased immediately following massage.
Another trial found that after one month of parents administering full-body massage to their children with diabetes, nightly, the child’s glucose levels decreased from an average of 158 to 118 mg/dl.
When it comes to insulin absorption/sensitivity, blood glucose levels, diabetic neuropathy, and contraindications, there are still so many important questions which remain unanswered. So, in order to best decide whether massage for diabetes is right with you, consult your doctor.
Before Getting a Massage
Although more research is necessary about the effectiveness and of massage in people with diabetes, based on the available literature, there is little to suggest that massage may be harmful or contraindicated for people with diabetes.
In addition to letting anyone doing bodywork know that you have diabetes, the ADA recommends that patients and clinicians referring people with diabetes for massage keep the following three things in mind:
1. Monitor blood glucose levels carefully before and after massage to watch for decreases. Blood sugar may drop too low following a massage.
2. Practitioners trained in Swedish massage may be ideal. Most of the research on diabetes and massage utilizes this technique. Swedish massage uses long, gliding strokes to enhance blood and lymph flow; kneading to relax muscle tension; and tapping, cupping, and hacking movements to stimulate nerves.
3. Since some states do not required massage therapists to be credentialed, a massage therapists holding a national certification from the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork or the American Massage Therapy Association would be preferred.
Frequency of treatment
Massage can be administered on a weekly, sometimes daily basis. Meanwhile, experts of the 2001 review suggest that twice-weekly massage can be beneficial for people with diabetes.
By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
