“Relaxation, massage, opium and moderate exercise were among the recommended options for treatment of diabetes mellitus nearly 100 years ago”

Say the authors of the study done at the University of Wisconsin published in WMJ journal in 1998. They suggest that despite the advances in medicine and better knowledge of what causes the disease we are still not effective at curing it completely, and the prevalence of diabetes is on the rise.

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic endocrine condition that affects more than 220 million people worldwide. WHO projects that the numbers will double between 2005 and 2030. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough of a hormone called insulin that regulates blood sugar or when the body cannot use this hormone effectively. Uncontrolled diabetes over time will lead to serious health consequences such as damage to cardiovascular system, eyes, kidneys, nerves, loss of limbs.

Reduced blood flow to the legs and damage to the nerves in the feet in particular results in pain, tingling, numbness and weakness and leads to the loss of sensation, and very often leads to ulcers and eventually to amputation. There are simple and effective actions that can prevent or at least delay the onset of diabetes mellitus. Things like regular exercise, weight control, healthy diet and in particular reduced salt, sugar and fats intake; avoidance of tobacco, blood pressure control and foot care and massage are critically important for a diabetic patient.

The studies were done that were investigating the effect of massage on diabetic patients. One of the recent studies was investigating the effects of acupressure massage on patients with type 2 diabetes. 64 patients were followed up for 3 years. All patients were treated with regular medicine and followed prescribed diet and exercise program to control for high sugar levels (hyperglycemia) and high blood pressure (hypertension). The patients in the experimental group were treated with 90 minutes acupressure massage sessions 4 to 6 times per week for 3 years. Their levels of glucose levels, blood lipid, and nerve conduction velocity as well as their heart and kidneys function were measured and monitored throughout the three-year period.

Compared to control group who did not receive massage sessions experimental group’s levels of “bad” cholesterol and urine protein were lower and the values for nerve conduction velocity were higher as well as levels of “good” cholesterol. These findings show that regular acupressure massage sessions contribute to lowering cholesterol and improving nervous system function. Massage sessions are thought to affect stress levels and improve the mood as well.

Another study on massage and type 2 diabetes patients was carried out in Spain over one year measured the effects of connective tissue massage on the diabetic patients with peripheral artery disease. The study concluded that the patients who received connective tissue massage on their limbs had lower blood pressure in their lower legs and improved blood circulation which slowed down the progress of peripheral artery disease.

Management of diabetic foot ulcers was supplemented with compressed air massage in another study carried out in South Africa. There the regular medical treatment for the experimental group was supplemented with the compressed air massage around the ulcer to provide better oxygenation and it contributed to a faster healing.