How Chiropractic Care Aims to Improve Life For Diabetics
Millions of Americans are affected by type II diabetes, and many of them seek chiropractic care. Typically, the disease sets in after age 40 so many patients who seek out chiropractic care for muscle pain complaints may actually be responding to imbalances in blood glucose levels.
Unfortunately, it is estimated that up to half of people living with type II diabetes may be completely unaware that they have the disease, and this can lead to debilitating effects. This is why chiropractors are aware of all the signs, causes, and complications that arise from diabetes. In this way, doctors of chiropractic are integral parts of a health care providing network for their patients.
Chiropractors known that the typical patient at risk for developing or already having developed type II diabetes will show classic signs of a inactive life style such as obesity, hypertension, and lack of exercise. From a chiropractic point of view, the greatest risk from type II diabetes is to the feet and ankles where peripheral blood vessels can become blocked and compromise the nerves, creating imbalances.
A chiropractor cannot directly treat diabetes, as it involves dealing with blood work and insulin injections, however, as part of a health care team, a chiropractor can aid diabetes treatment in life improving ways. A chiropractic approach to healing diabetes begins with increasing the patient’s activity level. Next in importance is a monitoring of the diet and recommendation of supplements. Finally, protection and support of the feet is necessary.
Patients, especially those with diabetes, find exercise difficult to commit to on a regular basis. Chiropractic care gets the body into a base level of balanced alignment that facilitates the patient’s ability to begin a solid exercise routine that will help to maintain a healthy body weight. Exercise is doubly therapeutic for diabetics because not only does it strengthen muscle and reduce fat, but it also decreases the body’s need for insulin.
Diabetes is so dangerous to the feet because it impairs sensation of the joint receptors. Over time sensation in this area decreases, making normal movement difficult to monitor. Chiropractors can help this situation by fixing misalignments in the joints through adjustment. Custom-made, flexible foot orthotics that support the arch of the foot can also be supplied by chiropractors. These help to cushion the foot and protect it from shock to the joints.
As vital members of a diabetic patient’s health team, chiropractors help minimize this all too common disease’s destructive effects.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Mike Mozart