November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, making it one of the most common endocrinological disorders. With hyperglycemia being one of the most obvious symptoms, long-term complications include disorders of the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and the blood vessels.
Diabetes is a chronic endocrinological disorder caused by an insufficient secretion of insulin by the pancreas or improper utilization of insulin by target cells that leads to high levels of glucose in the blood. There are two types of of diabetes: Type I and Type II. Type I is early onset strain, also referred to as juvenile onset diabetes. In this case, the pancreas stops producing insulin abruptly, which can cause dangerous, toxically high blood sugar level that require immediate medical attention. Type II is adult onset version in which the pancreas slows or the insulin is not absorbed properly, which can often go unnoticed. It can cause a number of medical problems, and therefore an annual physical and blood work are critical to detection.
Diet, exercise, and stress reduction are some key components in reducing the chances of acquiring Type 2 diabetes. Acupuncture has been shown to be a beneficial therapy in the treatment and the reduction of diabetic symptoms.
Oral anti-diabetic drugs are commonly used to treat Type II diabetes, including metformin. One study (A 2016 study) combined acupuncture treatments with metformin and demonstrated that combined therapy was more effective than the drug alone. This study confirmed that acupuncture works as an insulin sensitizer, able to improve sensitivity. Acupuncture also helps to reduce weight and inflammation, while improving lipid metabolism and cholesterol, reducing fasting blood sugar (a blood sugar level taken before food, for instance before breakfast) and fasting insulin.
Acupuncture is beneficial in treating the neuropathy associated with diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy is caused by lack of circulation in the extremities and often manifests through symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and pain in the arms, legs, hands, feet, fingers, and toes. In combination with an existing treatment regime, acupuncture can dramatically decrease the symptoms of neuropathy. A 2013 study found that the control group receiving treatment for neuropathy via medication only had a significantly lower success rate than the group treated for neuropathy with both medication and acupuncture.
If you or someone you know has diabetes, consider adding regular acupuncture treatments to improve overall health and wellbeing. Let November be the beginning of some healthy change.
Contributor
Acupuncturist, herbalist, Maya abdominal practitioner, and reflexologist Christina Morris is the founder of Element Natural Healing Arts. Writing about health and wellness gives her an outlet to express her care and concern for her beloved community. She believes everyone can achieve better health and happiness–emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually.