Massage is widely recognized as a complementary therapy for people with diabetes. A person diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is often an adolescent and has a lifetime of footcare ahead of them.
Studies actually showed that it has a positive impact on blood glucose levels by dropping them down over a short time.
Control of blood glucose is often the hardest aspect of controlling blood sugar levels in young people with diabetes.
The massage relaxes the feet and increases the flow of blood to them while maintaining the circulation to the extremities.
This, in turn, prevents peripheral vascular disease later in life, when blood vessels in the legs are narrowed, and blocked by deposits, If the vessels continue to block, it can lead to amputation of the lower leg.
So it is worth taking a look at foot massager for diabetics.
What Is A Foot Massager?
The traditional foot massage was performed with the hands, but now we have foot massaging machines that massage the feet conveying unexpected benefits
Benefits Of A Foot Massager
- It can aid injury recovery.
- Alleviates joint pain.
- Improves the circulation
- Lowers stress levels
- Reduces edema in pregnant women
- Reduces depression.
- Increase immunity.
Are Foot Massages Good For Diabetics?
Foot massagers for diabetics can reduce the likelihood of foot ulcers, by keeping the blood moving through the feet.
Circulation often becomes restricted and sluggish in people that suffer from diabetes, and it is important that blood flow is monitored.
Neuropathy or lack of feeling in the feet is another problem often encountered by diabetics, if left untreated it will progress, it can be assisted by massage.
Foot massage will also increase the flexibility of the muscles, and make them mobile again. It is a good idea for diabetic patients to purchase a Foot massage machine to increase the restricted blood flow to their extremities.
Do Foot Massagers Help With Diabetic Neuropathy
If you are trying foot massage for neuropathy for the first time, get a trained massage therapist to do it for you.
Until you become used to doing it yourself, you need to know what the pressure levels are and how high the heat level on the machine goes.
Because you don’t have much feeling in your feet, you need to gauge temperature and pressure levels applied to your feet very carefully.
Once you get used to using the machine safely, it will certainly help to restore the circulation to your feet.
Giving your feet a daily massage will help both the circulation and the symptoms of neuropathy, and with the blood flow restored you may find that you are walking better.
Foot Massagers For Diabetics. How To Choose The Best One
If you are a diabetic with pain in your legs when walking and experiencing less feeling in your feet, it is time to get a foot massager. The stimulation provided to the muscles boosts circulation and builds muscle strength.
If you are a diabetic, the reality is that your feet will need constant care. Diabetics also develop painful polyneuropathy, especially when they have had type 1 diabetes for a long time.
This often occurs when the blood sugar is not well controlled causing damage to the nerves of the feet.
When neuropathy occurs the pain can be hard to control, and you will need the best type of electric foot massager to stimulate blood circulation.
Once massage commences the blood circulation is stimulated oxygenating the blood to the feet.
You want to purchase a foot massager that will cure any foot problems while relieving muscle tension. Sometimes diabetics prefer the foot spa bath massager with water jet s air bubbles.
When using the water method be careful not to make it too hot, as any burns to your feet will cause problems.
What Problems And Risks Are Connected To A Foot Massager For Diabetics.
- Beware of pressure and intensity, as you don’t want to exacerbate inflammation.
- Keep the heat low to prevent burns to the feet.
- Don’t use the massager if you have a foot ulcer.
- If you have edema, massage your feet and then elevate them to get rid of the fluid.
How Often Should I Use My Foot Massager?
A few years ago, diabetics only had foot massages once a month, if then, and medical people began to realize that it was beneficial to diabetic foot care.
If you have the time you can actually use your foot massager two or three times a day.
As a diabetic, taking the time to do this will increase your blood flow making your feet pink and warm.
The benefits of your three times a day foot massage will be a lot more evident in ten years’ time, especially when combined with good blood sugar control.
People who have diabetes can find life quite difficult, as there is so much to do to stay healthy and on top of their condition.
Importance Specialist Medical Care For Diabetics
Diabetes mellitus is a serious disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, often leading to high blood sugar levels, and requiring specialist medical diagnosis and care.
Sometimes a new patient may be referred to an Endocrinologist for treatment and care of the condition, or in other cases, the condition is managed by a diabetologist, depending on the severity of the onset of diabetes.
The diabetic patient can sometimes present to casualty or the GP with ketoacidosis, which occurs when insulin ceases to be produced in the body.
The person should be admitted to the hospital for stabilization and management of the disease.
This is when the diabetic education program begins, and it is a steep learning curve for the new diabetic.
Foot Care And Foot Massagers For Diabetics
The newly diagnosed diabetic patient will learn all about foot care, and the importance of well-controlled blood glucose levels in the prevention of foot problems.
Unfortunately, the diabetic’s feet develop an inability to feel pain. This happens gradually following the onset of the disease.
This leaves the diabetic at risk of undiagnosed cuts and traumas that may take a long time to heal. Sometimes infections may set in leading to a necessary amputation.
Fifteen to twenty percent of diabetics end up with foot ulcers, so the importance of foot care is the first thing that a new diabetic learns. Including correct footwear, nothing too tight, and nail and skincare.
Foot massage is now becoming mainstream, with many clinicians recognizing the value of it.
Meta-analysis on footcare and ulcer prevention is continually carried out, as once a diabetic gets a foot ulcer it can take months to heal.
Reflexology Foot Massagers For Diabetics
Reflexology is a type of massage that involves applying different amounts of pressure to the feet. It is based on the theory that everything in the body is connected including organs.
Reflexology is an ancient Chinese technique working on different pressure points in the body. This is sometimes used on the feet to increase flexibility and reduce pain.
It is a type of massage, but it is hard to know if it really benefits the patient.
Research says that reflexology isn’t an effective treatment for any medical condition. The only condition it has been proven to aid is in lowering anxiety levels.
This may be helpful if the diabetic patient is feeling anxious about their feet.
Ideal Foot Massagers For Diabetics
Your feet remaining comfortable is essential to your health when you are a diabetic, and sometimes escaping it can be quite impossible to do.
Try a massager that uses airbags and vibration to try to relax your feet. Looking at your feet every day is also important because you can’t always feel any problem areas emerging.
So when you do your foot massage have a careful look at your feet and toes under bright light, so that you will see any emerging issues and deal with them promptly.
When you go swimming at the local pool, wear rubber shoes in the pool area as you don’t want to catch any foot fungus. Food fungus or tinea is dangerous to diabetics as it is very hard to cure once it takes hold.
It also thrives on feet where blood sugar levels are poorly controlled, so it may be better to stay away from the pool when it is crowded.
Visiting The Podiatrist
Visit the Podiatrist at least 4 times a year, as your local Podiatrist is also an expert in foot care, and he/she will trim your nails and treat any corns or areas of broken skin that may be emerging.
The Podiatrist will also advise on foot care and will let you know where to get the right shoes to keep your feet in the best order.
Conclusion Foot Massagers For Diabetics
Your feet have to last for life, and having a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is a blow. Foot massage will help you to maintain foot health and to deal with issues as they arise.
When you purchase the right foot massager for you, your circulation and foot health will improve.
