Are massage chairs good for diabetics? In short, YES! Read on to learn 5 ways diabetics can benefit from massage chairs.
Diabetes is a chronic disease of deranged glucose metabolism. Decreased synthesis of insulin (type 1) or decreased sensitivity of insulin receptors (type 2) are the underlying causes of diabetes.
The endocrine gland pancreas produces the hormone insulin that promotes the movement of glucose from the blood into the cells. The cells consume and metabolize glucose to generate energy for daily activities.
Decreased insulin function renders a build-up of glucose in the blood. The extra glucose gets accumulated in and thickens the blood vessel walls. It narrows the lumen of the blood vessels impeding the flow of blood through the vessels.
The decreased blood flow (and reduced oxygen delivery) to organs is what leads to complications of diabetes (blindness, foot damage, kidney diseases, and neuropathies).
Diabetes has no permanent cure. It can only be managed with appropriate measures. People with diabetes need to infuse insulin shots and other medicines regularly. Other changes like eating habits and an active lifestyle become crucial to manage diabetes.
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While diabetes treatment and management may be harsh and demanding to follow in the long run, massage chairs are fantastic tools that can significantly help prevent diabetes complications.
Are Foot Massagers Good for Diabetics? Exploring the Benefits of Improved Blood Flow
The massage therapy chairs accrue a fortune of benefits for diabetic patients. The pressure and movement by gentle massage can improve the blood circulation in the body. It de-constricts the blood vessels and widens their lumens to increase the blood flow through them. It enhances the oxygen delivery to different cells of the body.
The legs and foot are the most affected regions by decreased blood flow in diabetes. That’s why foot ulcers and amputations are common in people with diabetes.
Leg massage by massage chairs promotes the blood vessels in the legs and foot. Therefore, it might be an effective way to prevent foot complications in diabetes. Additionally, massage therapy can help alleviate chronic foot pain in diabetic patients, providing relief and improving their quality of life.
In fact, a 2011 study on the effects of foot massage in people with diabetes showed that it reduced the severity and frequency of the leg and foot complaints in diabetes patients.
This infers that a massage chair for foot massage can be an incredible addition to the daily routine of diabetics.
1. Understanding Diabetes and Its Complications
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar. When left unmanaged, diabetes can lead to a range of complications, including peripheral neuropathy, foot ulcers, and cardiovascular disease. Peripheral neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can cause numbness, tingling, and pain in the feet and legs. Foot ulcers are open sores that can develop on the feet, and if left untreated, can lead to infection and amputation. Cardiovascular disease is a condition that affects the heart and blood vessels, and can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
2. Improved Blood Flow
Improved blood flow is essential for people with diabetes, as it can help to prevent complications such as foot ulcers and peripheral neuropathy. Foot massage can help to improve blood flow by increasing circulation and reducing inflammation. Regular foot massage can also help to reduce swelling and promote healing in the feet. Additionally, foot massage can help to improve blood glucose levels, which can help to prevent complications such as diabetic neuropathy.
3. Reduced Blood Glucose Levels
The main problem in diabetes is the higher than normal blood glucose levels. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a serious complication characterized by nerve damage due to high blood sugar, often causing intense pain in the legs and feet. Massage chair therapy can effectively reduce blood glucose levels, thereby decreasing blood glucose levels and helping in the management of diabetes.
In a 2019 study, people with diabetes who received massage therapy for 12 consecutive weeks showed significantly lower concentrations of HbA1C than those who only received routine treatment for diabetes.
HbA1C is a type of hemoglobin which gives an estimate for average blood glucose levels over the past 3 months.
Study results infer the implementation of massage therapy in conjunction with regular diabetes treatment. It can aid in lowering blood glucose levels in the long run.
Additionally, massage can improve insulin absorption, which further aids in lowering blood glucose levels.
Best yet, there is another way massage can help lower blood glucose levels. It can increase insulin effectiveness in diabetics.
As stress hormones decrease the efficacy of insulin in the body, and massage therapy chairs can relieve stress and calm your mind, there is a strong link that massage therapy can increase insulin sensitivity.
This way, massage therapy has dual actions for lowering blood glucose levels.
4. Improved Muscle Mobility
High blood glucose levels can also thicken the connective tissue and muscles in the body. Foot massagers can be an effective tool for improving blood circulation and alleviating foot pain in diabetic patients. The muscles, tendons, and joints get stiffer with time limiting the range of motion in people with diabetes.
Moreover, the reduced blood supply due to narrowed arteries of the muscles reduces their oxygen and nutrients delivery. Without enough oxygen and nutrients, muscle cells get weaker.
Massage chair therapy can gently stretch the muscles and connective tissues curbing their thickness. It also improves blood to the muscles making them stronger and healthier.
Massage chair therapy can also be beneficial for diabetic patients suffering from peripheral arterial disease by improving circulation and muscle mobility.
Owing to both these factors, massage chairs help improve muscle mobility in diabetics to keep them moving on their own.
5. Offsets Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is the nerve damage that is often associated with poorly treated chronic diabetes.
The consistently high blood sugar levels on diabetes damage the nerves in our bodies. The occlusion of small blood vessels supplying those nerves also adds fuel to the fire.
Addressing diabetic neuropathy is a relevant primary diabetes outcome, as it significantly impacts the quality of life for diabetic patients.
The damaged neurons can't send to and receive signals from the brain. The symptoms may include limb weaknesses, numbness, pain, tingling sensation, and decreased touch and temperature sensations, etc.
Most massage chairs offer reflexology massage, which is a boon for the diabetics. Foot reflexology massage can help relax nerves, improving their functionality, and can aid in the recovery of the damaged nerves. This helps restore the sensations and also relieves pain.
6. Foot Massage for Diabetic Neuropathy
Foot massage can be an effective tool for managing symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can cause numbness, tingling, and pain in the feet and legs. Foot massage can help to improve circulation and reduce pain and discomfort associated with diabetic neuropathy. Regular foot massage can also help to improve sensation and mobility in the feet, which can help to prevent falls and injuries.
7. Choosing the Right Foot Massager
Choosing the right foot massager is essential for effective relief from foot pain and discomfort. When selecting a foot massager, consider the following factors:
- Type of massage: Look for a foot massager that offers a range of massage techniques, such as rolling, kneading, and tapping.
- Intensity: Choose a foot massager that allows you to adjust the intensity of the massage to suit your needs.
- Heat: Consider a foot massager that offers heat therapy, which can help to relax the muscles and improve circulation.
- Pressure points: Look for a foot massager that targets specific pressure points on the feet, such as the arch and heel.
- Ease of use: Choose a foot massager that is easy to use and clean.
8. Managing Diabetic Foot Pain
Managing diabetic foot pain requires a comprehensive approach that includes regular foot massage, proper foot care, and lifestyle changes. Here are some tips for managing diabetic foot pain:
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Regular foot massage: Regular foot massage can help to improve circulation and reduce pain and discomfort associated with diabetic neuropathy.
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Proper foot care: Keep your feet clean and dry, and trim your toenails regularly to prevent ingrown toenails.
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Lifestyle changes: Maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, and quit smoking to reduce your risk of complications.
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Footwear: Wear shoes that fit properly and provide adequate support and cushioning.
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Foot massage techniques: Consider using Thai foot massage techniques, which can help to improve circulation and reduce pain and discomfort.
8. Stress Relaxation
Perhaps stress relaxation is the most significant benefit that therapeutic massage can offer for people with diabetes. The mental and physical implications of dealing with a lifelong disease salted upon by stress of daily life can worsen the condition itself. Stress worsens diabetes by further raising blood glucose levels.
As massage chairs therapy is proven to relieve physical and mental stress in the comfort of your home, it may be a useful tool for diabetes management.
In a recent 2020 study, researchers found that back and neck massage significantly promoted stress relaxation and rest quality by activating PSNS(parasympathetic nervous system) of the body.
Why Massage Chairs?
That's a valid question. Why get a massage chair when you can Go To Nearest Massage Centre by yourself? The answer lies in your question.
While visiting a massage therapist can be beneficial, having a massage chair at home offers unparalleled convenience and accessibility.
To get a massage, first, you will need to get an appointment at the massage center, adjust your busy schedule accordingly, drive through stressful traffic to the massage center, get a 1-hour massage session, and then drive back to your home all by yourself. Worst yet, you will have to repeat the whole process every single time you want to get a massage.
On the other hand, massage chairs offer you the opportunity to enjoy as much massage as you need just at the tap of a button within the comfort of your home.
Now you don't need to book appointments, drive to and back from the centers, and still get massage services for a limited 1-hour time. Massage chairs can offer the best return on investment in terms of saving your time and money, and above all, helping in the treatment and management of diabetes.
Massage chair therapy is an excellent tool for diabetics to help them manage their diabetes mellitus. It can improve blood flow, muscle mobility, reduce blood glucose levels, repair damaged nerves and also relieves stress in people with diabetes. Getting a massage chair can be a life-changing step in the course of your journey with diabetes.
