The benefits of massage for diabetes
Diabetic patients, in addition to high blood sugar, also have other health problems. When the disease occurs, the nervous and cardiovascular systems are affected, nerve endings are affected, blood circulation is disrupted, and changes occur in the skeletal system. Massage for diabetes will help patients improve their health.
A professional massage therapist can help in the treatment of not only diseases of the musculoskeletal system. It can also be of great help with diabetes, namely:
improved blood circulation;
assistance in moving fluid through blood vessels;
activation of nerve endings;
beneficial effect on the condition of blood vessels;
regulation of metabolic processes in the body;
weight loss;
increasing cell sensitivity to insulin;
decreased blood glucose levels;
relieving swelling and inflammation;
prevention of thrombosis;
improvement of joint condition;
analgesic effect;
massage relaxes, calms, relieves fatigue.
It is useful to combine massage for diabetes with breathing exercises, during which the cells are saturated with oxygen and the level of glucose in the blood decreases
Massage sessions are necessary for:
- overweight and obesity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- micro- and macroangiopathies;
- scoliosis;
- arthropathy;
- peripheral neuropathy;
- polyneuropathy.
What types of massage are allowed for diabetics?
Not all types of massage are suitable for diabetics.
Permitted types and methods of massage for diabetes:
- General massage is useful for obesity and excess weight. Helps lower blood pressure, cleanse the skin of dead cells, and reduce swelling. After several sessions, the cleansing of the body from harmful substances is enhanced, sleep is normalized and mood improves. Diabetics are recommended 2-3 sessions per week.
- Pulse self-massage is convenient because you can do it yourself at any convenient time. The person spontaneously strokes and scratches the skin. If you feel a burning or itching sensation in any part of the body, this may indicate that some organ has not received full nutrients or oxygen, poor blood circulation and fluid stagnation. In this case, this area needs to be lightly massaged.
- Local massage. It is carried out on a specific area of the body that needs help: back, arms, legs, etc. For example, when massaging the head, the release of tissue hormones improves, nerve endings are stimulated, and the nutrition of brain cells improves. With proper back massage, taking into account the direction of lymph and blood flow and knowledge of the anatomical structure of the body, you can improve blood circulation, normalize blood pressure, and relieve pain.
- Acupressure. This type of massage has been practiced for many centuries. It is believed that using this method, you can heal a person from all existing diseases. Acupressure for diabetes is suitable both for relaxing the body and for giving tone and vigor. First, sessions are carried out every other day, then after 2-3 days, and at the end - once a week.
For diabetes mellitus, the following massage techniques are used:
Lower limb massage
Due to problems with blood circulation and nerve endings, poor condition of blood vessels, diabetics often suffer from pain in the legs, have skin problems and are at risk of other, more dangerous diseases. Foot massage for diabetes helps relieve discomfort in joints and muscles, improve blood circulation, relieve swelling and prevent other complications.
Before the procedure, you need to take a foot bath. Warm water relieves tension and relaxes muscles. Next, dry feet should be sprinkled with powder so as not to injure sensitive skin.
You need to start massaging from the lower leg, gradually moving up to the knees. In this case, the knee fossa is not touched. Movements should be light and stroking. Then they move on to foot massage. First, lightly rub your fingers. The most problematic areas are tendons and intermuscular spaces. They need to be given special attention. When massaging the heel, pinching and rubbing techniques are used. At the end you need to massage the Achilles tendon.
How to massage the pancreas
For diabetes mellitus, massage of the pancreas will bring considerable benefits. The procedure is a set of breathing exercises and the use of the abdominal muscles. It is forbidden to massage the pancreas in acute pancreatitis.
Methods of pancreas massage are described below.
Lying on his back, the patient takes a deep breath, exhales and holds his breath. Next, you need to pull in your stomach, count to three and relax.
Lying on your back, take a deep breath, exhale and hold your breath. Next, the patient should inflate his stomach and relax it on the count of three.
Lying on your back, you need to take the deepest and longest breath possible and hold your breath. Inflate your stomach, then relax, pull in your abdominal muscles, exhale and relax.
For the next exercise you will need a tennis ball. Take it in your left hand and press it to the left hypochondrium. Then you need to exhale, hold the air and draw in your stomach. At this time, make circular movements with the ball, moving towards the ribs. After a few seconds, relax, take a deep breath, rest a little and repeat the exercise.
When massage is contraindicated
If you have diabetes, massage should be done carefully, constantly monitoring blood sugar levels. The fact is that this procedure can provoke the appearance of hypo- or hyperglycemia. It is also recommended to combine massage with physical exercise.
Massage for diabetics must be done with the permission of a doctor.
Massage is prohibited in the following conditions:
angiopathy with trophic lesions;
arthropathy in the acute stage;
very high or low blood sugar;
the presence of other pathologies and complications.
Massage can help a person with diabetes cope with many problems and improve their well-being. But an inept and frivolous attitude towards your body can cause harm to the body. Therefore, the issue of conducting massage sessions should be discussed with your doctor.
How to properly do acupressure for diabetes can be found in the video below.