Diabetes and Holistic Care

Diabetes and Holistic Care

Diabetes, a group of diseases characterized by an overproduction of sugar in the blood, affects 1 in 4 people over the age of 65. As of 2015, diabetes has affected over 30 million people in the U.S. alone. Over time, the high amounts of glucose in the blood lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and nerve damage.

The cause of diabetes depends on the type. Type 1 diabetes most commonly occurs in children and is thought to be genetic in nature. Type 2 affects those over 45 and is believed to be lifestyle-based, incurred by poor diet and lack of exercise.

In type 1 diabetes, no insulin is produced; the body destroys the glucose before it has a chance to absorb it. In type 2, the insulin is resisted.

Common symptoms among both include:

• Increased thirst and urination
• Blurred vision
• Increased hunger
• Numbness and/or tingling in the feet and hands
• Unexplained weight loss
• Lasting sores

For the purposes of this post, focus will be placed on Type-2 Diabetes.

The most common treatment for diabetes are insulin shots, able to be used at home to provide glucose that the body may not provide on its own, or may block significantly. Subsequent medications are prescribed as symptoms exacerbate and spread to affect other organs in the body.

Massage therapy, in conjunction with medical care, has been shown to normalize blood glucose. For those with high blood glucose, effleurage strokes moving blood up to the heart can work to lower the amount. It aids in treating numbness in the extremities; guiding circulation to fingers and toes. The emotional aspects of diabetes see great improvement- the stress, anxiety, and depression associated with having one’s life so drastically affected are soothed by the endorphins released during massage. It stimulates the lymph system, removes toxins from the body, and reduces the hardening of arteries due to diabetes. Blood circulation is improved, which delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the body which, in turn, improves the utilization of insulin by the cells. Massage therapy increased mobility and flexibility, which the hardening of tissues directly and adversely affects.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (“TCM”) looks at the body a little differently than western medicine. Called Xiao-Ke, it translates in English to “wasting and thirsting disease” (Flaws, Kuchinkski & Casanas, 2002)

According to TCM, the dryness and heat that are hallmarks of diabetes, lead to a deficiency in yin and chi. (Flaws, et al., 2002) Chi is known as the energy that keeps a person alive. As the disease progresses, it affects other organs and elements of the body.

In TCM, common symptoms created by the depletion of Chi and body fluids are:

• Lethargy
• Weight loss
• Excessive thirst
• Excessive hunger
• Excessive urination
• Poor wound healing
• Infections
• Blurry vision

As we can see, the symptoms characterizing Xiao-Ke and those of diabetes are almost exactly the same.

TCM  works with treatments of herbs, acupuncture, acupressure, and massage to stimulate the flow of Chi, and balance Yin and Yang inside the body. Scientific studies and clinical tests around the world for 10 years show that TCM assists in enhancing blood outflow, improving microcirculation, preventing the slowing of motor nerve conduction, and inducing secretions of endogenous beta-endorphin, known as β-Endorphin, which has a direct relation with insulin produced organically within the system.

Diabetes, in either healing modality, is not a life-sentence. It is a call to make a change, an opportunity to re-examine life patterns and decide for oneself if those patterns are for benefit, or detriment

Here at the Oriental Healing Arts Center, we firmly believe the human body, its mind and spirit, is capable of healing itself back to wholeness. We offer our hands to help.

Sources:

Heesen, Gayatri Chopra, L.Ac. “The Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Type 2 Diabetes: A Literature Review Synthesis.” Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2019, www.yosan.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Gayatri-Heesen-Capstone-1.pdf.

Ezzo, Jeanette, et al. “Is Massage Useful in the Management of Diabetes? A Systematic Review.” Diabetes Spectrum, American Diabetes Association, 1 Oct. 2001, spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/14/4/218.

Covington, Maggie B. “Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Diabetes.” Diabetes Spectrum, American Diabetes Association, 1 Aug. 2001, spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/14/3/154.

Wang, Zhijun, et al. “Treating Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Traditional Chinese and Indian Medicinal Herbs.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662109/.

“Symptoms & Causes of Diabetes.” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1 Nov. 2016, www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/symptoms-causes.