Everyone knows that living with diabetes involves a certain amount of stress. Because the human body is designed to respond to stress with a fight-or-flight response, stress tends to raise blood sugar levels.
Massage is useful in relieving stress, even for non-diabetics. It lowers the heart rate and blood pressure while relaxing muscles and increasing endorphins, all of which results in a sense of well-being.
CIRCULATION AND NEUROPATHY
Many diabetics have poor circulation, and various types of massage therapy are known for promoting increased circulation. Relaxation Massage, Deep Muscle Therapy and Hot Stone Envy™ are particularly effective in that area. Regular massage helps move blood through congested areas of the body, flushing lactic acid from your muscles and enabling more oxygen-rich blood to flow in.
Neuropathy is another possible side effect of diabetes, and massage has proven helpful in triggering an endorphin release that raises your pain threshold. Trigger Point Therapy and Sports Massage release serotonin and oxytocin in your body, which can relieve chronic pain.
BLOOD SUGAR AWARENESS
Dr. Ruchi Mathur, M.D., of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist, recommends taking precautions to avoid hypoglycemia during a massage. Of course that's a good policy during any activity, from driving to swimming, but it's especially important during massage therapy - because deeply restful relaxation might make symptoms of an insulin reaction easier to overlook.
Make sure to tell your professional Massage Envy therapist about the possibility of hypoglycemia, and how you handle it (with glucose tablets, a soft drink, or some other preferred method). Then be sure to check your blood sugar before leaving the clinic, so you can relax and enjoy the calming effect of your relaxing massage session.
