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Schedule a tour nowHow Massage Therapy Could Benefit Blood Sugar Levels
Posted on: July 30, 2012
The stability of blood sugar levels relies on complex feedback systems in the body. When these systems are not functioning properly, hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia may cause serious health risks. High sugar levels are most often linked to diet. Type II diabetes, for instance, is one of the most common chronic diseases with over eight percent of the population carrying formal diagnosis. Pregnancy is another cause of hyperglycemia. Insulin production takes time to catch up with the increased blood volume and metabolites in circulation.In both cases massage therapy is capable of correcting abnormally high or low sugar levels. Dietary modifications through Bodyworks or other programs and medical advice are still very useful tools, but massage practitioners need to become aware of the growing body of evidence showing the profound effect of massage.
Evidence of Benefits
Several practices are useful to practitioners with diabetic clients, but this requires awareness of specific benefits. Controlled studies show, for instance, massage at injection sites increase the absorption of insulin. This has the effect of reducing reliance on injections, but clients may need to re-calibrate insulin amounts in light of the change.
The study showing improved bioavailability of insulin was subject to a follow-up review. Researchers found 3-6 months of massage was sufficient to confer lasting benefits, and 12-18 months reduced serum glucose readings even further. Clients must take care to monitor the way massage effects their blood sugar levels.
The general benefit of anxiety reduction ties into control of hyperglycemia during pregnancy or diabetes. Anxiety cause the body to produce inflammatory hormones related to the fight-or-flight mechanism. These hormones greatly decrease the efficiency of existing insulin supplies. This is especially true with chronic anxiety disorders. In promoting relaxation, massage therapy also promotes efficient use of insulin.
Other studies suggest massage is useful during pregnancy and prediabetes. It is capable of normalizing glucose levels with persistent use. Intermittent use has less of an effect, but hyperglycemic clients report sleeping better and reduced use of insulation when intermittent massage is combined with breathing meditation.
Not all diabetics experience relief of symptoms with massage. Neuropathy of the lower extremities, burning and itching, and reduced reflexes have been successfully treated with massage alone. One study showed 56 percent of clients had a good response, and 32 percent experienced improvement. Massage practitioners are responsible for alerting their clients to these benefits and urging them to seek appropriate medical advice.
