Diabetes is surprisingly common these days due to several reasons. It can disrupt your daily routine and can even restrict your everyday movements. Diabetes, if not kept under control, can cause serious complications.

People with diabetes heavily rely on medications and insulin injections. However, you will be shocked to learn how helpful massages can be for diabetes. Depending on the type of diabetes, the right masseuse can help you nullify the symptoms significantly and help your body restore its health.

Read on, and we’ll discuss everything you need to know regarding how and why massage is worthwhile for diabetic patients.

Types Of Diabetes

The following are some of the types of diabetes based on different factors.

• Diabetes mellitus type 1
• Diabetes mellitus type 2
• Maturity onset diabetes of young 
• Gestational diabetes
• Diabetes insipidus 

Symptoms Of Diabetes 

A raised glycemic index in diabetes causes a complex set of problems in all systems of your body. The most noticeable complications of diabetes, according to physicians at Mayo Clinic, are

• Altered blood sugars, hyperglycemia, or hypoglycemia. 
• Foot damage
• Skin conditions.
• Hearing impairment.
• Nerve damage
• Stiffness in joints
• Bone pain
• Difficulty in movement
• Macrocirculation, i.e., atherosclerosis

Furthermore, stress, illness, and infection can worsen the complications. Evidence presented by Cleveland Clinic proves our point. Anxiety can make it challenging to regulate your diabetes since it can cause the body to deteriorate. Stress hormones raise blood pressure, increase heart rate, and raise blood sugar levels. High blood glucose levels can make you sleepy or tired.

Massage can be super helpful in keeping the stress in check and halting the progression of diabetic complications. 

Prescribed Massage For Diabetes 

Diabetes treatment involves the doctor guiding the patient to avoid sugary food, eat six to seven small meals daily, exercise regularly, and quit smoking.

Phase two of the diabetes treatment plan would be taking medications for better glycemic control. If diabetes progresses to phase three and neuropathy symptoms start appearing, hypoglycemia will start causing fatigue and body aches. Massage for diabetes reduces edema and improves blood circulation and lymph turnover.

Benefits Of Massage Therapy In Diabetes

Casual massages are frequently and carelessly carried out. Massage therapy stimulates the body’s soft tissues. Methods are commonly applied to wrists, fingertips, ankles, knees, forearms, and feet. The objective of therapy is usually relief from body tension and discomfort.

 

 

Diabetes-specific benefits

The first and foremost complaint in diabetes patients is hyperglycemia. However, the question is, what are the significant implications of massage for people with diabetes? The bodywork put into the massage by the therapist helps drop glucose levels considerably, helping reduce the glycemic index.

Insulin injections for hyperglycemia are used as subcutaneous depots that may cause pooling or ineffective insulin delivery in the bloodstream. Effective delivery is essential to controlling the blood sugar concentration to avoid hyperosmolar complications. Hence, massaging the infection site can help promote adequate and effective insulin delivery. 

Massage for diabetics can have multiple benefits at once. Reduced circulation is a frequent complaint in people with diabetes. Several medical interventions are used to relieve this gore complaint, but they have their side effects. 

A systematic review discusses the effectiveness of massage therapy. Massage therapists use bodywork to improve drainage to comfort patients in difficult times, minimize edema, and improve blood circulation.

A 2011 research evaluated the effects of foot massage in people with diabetes. It showed that massage for diabetes reduced the severity and frequency of leg and foot complaints in diabetes patients.

The increased and harmonious circulation in people with diabetes who get massage regularly lessens foot problems. Researchers have reported lesser ulcer formation and better healing in two groups. Massage helps release various beneficial chemicals like endorphins, which improve recovery. 

Targeted Systems

Massage therapy directly targets and benefits the following body systems:

• Nervous 
• Musculoskeletal
• Hepatoportal 
• Lymphatic

 

Diabetic neuropathy can cause numbness or tingling in fingers, toes, hands, and feet. Massaging the limbs and underlying bug veins can also reduce numbness and tingling in limbs associated with diabetes. 

People with diabetes have thickened connective tissues due to excessive fibrosis, which leads to loss of elasticity of connective tissue and signs of ageing. Fibrosis also leads to pressure on the connective tissue nerves, causing severe pain. The endorphins released due to pressure exerted in massage help neutralize the pain. 

Massages have helped restore and rehabilitate patients who undergo amputations due to uncontrolled glycemia. Amputations are done under the circumstances like necrotizing fasciitis or ulcer formation.  

Types Of Massages For Diabetes And Their Purposes

• Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy employs various essential oils for use on different body-sensitive points. Acupuncture and aromatherapy together encourage stimulation and can rejuvenate you. You can choose different scents for your massage. A proper prior consultation is carried out to help you decide what therapy and the mix would suit you. For example, ginger oil is anti-inflammatory and may help ease nausea or vomiting. Moreover, ginger oil has a warm, spicy fragrance.
• Craniosacral Therapy: Craniosacral is the medical term for your head and neck. Craniosacral massage for people with diabetes involves experts who agree that light contact regenerates the central nervous system and helps change sleep habits. During your massage therapy session, the therapist will check in and ensure you have the right amount of contact.
• Deep Tissue Massage involves the therapist using a slightly higher-pressure touch than a simple massage. The masseuse is an expert who has practiced the method several times. These techniques help relieve musculoskeletal pain, which is muscle and bone pain. 
• Myofascial Massage: Myofascial massage is intended to manipulate the tissue. During a consultation, a professional will target you through manual pressure. It tends to relieve mobility restrictions. Stretching will also reach stress points and help alleviate discomfort.
• Reiki: Reiki is a Japanese technique that gently puts different energies into your body through the practitioner’s hand. Many people attending reiki sessions claim that they experience slight pins and needles or warmth, culminating in rest and well-being.

Massage! A Healthy, Convenient, and Reliable Remedy!

As listed above, massage therapy can be miraculous for diabetics. It can help the patients rejuvenate their lost strength and live better lives. Not only is massage therapy beneficial, but it can also be crucial in some cases where the patients cannot move much.