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.