Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an increasingly widespread global health issue with serious, sometimes life-threatening complications. Integrating complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) into conventional treatment modalities offers an integrative solution for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus that may improve clinical outcomes while simultaneously decreasing healthcare costs.
Alternative medicine therapies like herbal remedies, special diets and massage may help manage glucose more effectively; however it is essential that before trying any alternative therapy options it be discussed with a healthcare provider first.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an increasingly popular alternative treatment option for those living with diabetes. Aside from providing pain-relief benefits, acupuncture has also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, helping the body use glucose more effectively and therefore decreasing blood sugar levels more quickly in those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A recent study suggests acupuncture could even reduce T2DM patients’ blood sugar levels significantly.
Acupuncturists employ thin needles to stimulate specific points on the body. This causes natural painkillers to be released, providing relief for chronic and painful symptoms associated with diabetes. Acupuncture can also help prevent neuropathy – an unpleasant nerve disorder common among those living with the disease – which may emerge later.
CAM stands for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or treatments not commonly taught or practiced in hospitals but used as alternatives to conventional treatment such as massage, herbal remedies, or diet changes. While some CAM therapies have proven promising in treating medical issues, others have not.
Studies on acupuncture have demonstrated its effect on blood glucose regulation for only limited periods of time, possibly because acupuncture works through its effect on autonomic nervous systems to control insulin secretion and glucose regulation, while simultaneously having an influence on endocrine systems.
Before beginning acupuncture treatments, it’s essential that you consult with a healthcare provider about potential risks and benefits. While exploring this alternative medicine approach, traditional treatment methods must remain an integral component. It is also a good idea to inform your physician so they can monitor progress closely.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback therapy uses sensors attached to your body to monitor involuntary functions such as heart rate, breathing rate and muscle tension in real time, providing real-time feedback that enables you to learn to control these physiological processes. Biofeedback therapy may be combined with other physical therapies; certified physical therapists or technicians who specialize in specific modalities are vital for its effectiveness.
Biofeedback begins with your therapist explaining the technology to you and assuring you that the sensors will not cause any discomfort or shock. They then will display on either a computer or video screen the signals being recorded; this may take the form of a simple line graph with different colors representing various physiological measures like heart rate, skin temperature or changes in muscle tone.
Most often, your therapist will encourage you to try to replicate the physiological changes seen on your feedback screen. While this may initially prove challenging, with practice you may learn how to make these adjustments without their aid.
Biofeedback may provide evidence-based benefits in treating medical disorders like high blood pressure and anxiety, and improving quality of life for people living with chronic health conditions like inflammation bowel disease or fibromyalgia. Biofeedback techniques may even be useful in relieving pain related to fibromyalgia symptoms.
Massage
Massage therapy – the practice of pressing, stroking and manipulating the skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments to promote relaxation – can be one of many alternative therapies used to manage diabetes-related effects. Some people use massage for specific medical issues while others utilize regular sessions as stress reduction or other health benefits.
Massage comes in various forms, ranging from gentle strokes to deep pressure. Abhyanga, an oil massage from Ayurvedic medicine, involves spreading warmed oils over your body. You can do this alone or with another person and it usually lasts 60 minutes or more.
Other types of massage include trigger-point therapy, which targets knots or tight spots in muscles, and myofascial release therapy, which helps release stiffness in fascia (connective tissue that surrounds every muscle in your body). Studies have proven that massage reduces muscle tension both subjectively and objectively electromyographic testing.
Massage may help people living with diabetes reduce stress that contributes to low blood sugar, while stimulating better circulation which may reduce nerve damage caused by diabetes. Massage should not replace traditional medical treatments and should always be undertaken alongside them; any new therapies, including alternative ones, must first be discussed with their physician first.
Supplements
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) presents a significant public health challenge due to its association with modern lifestyles and high costs, placing undue strain on both patients and healthcare systems worldwide. While conventional treatments such as lifestyle modifications and pharmacotherapy are effective at controlling glycemic levels and preventing complications, integrative strategies that combine conventional therapies with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) such as herbal remedies, dietary supplements or mind-body practices have proven themselves successful at improving metabolic outcomes and decreasing cardiovascular risks.
Herbal remedies with antidiabetic effects are increasingly sought by patients as an economical and less likely to produce adverse side effects alternative to pharmaceutical drugs. Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of many herbs and dietary supplements on HbA1c reduction; such as fenugreek, bitter melon, chromium picolinate, saffron, moringa oleifera as well as aromatherapy and meditation as complementary medicine therapies that provide anti-diabetic benefits.
CAM covers an expansive range of interventions and practices that fall outside conventional medical practice, with most countries possessing their own regulatory frameworks for it. While some forms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) may prove helpful for diabetes sufferers, others may not. It’s always wise to consult your physician prior to undertaking any supplements or therapies as some could interfere with medications you are already prescribed for the condition. If you suffer from chronic illness such as diabetes it’s also wise to be wary of any interactions between CAM therapies and your medication prescriptions – especially if taking multiple CAM therapies can potentially interfere with these medications prescribed for it may interact.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses essential oils to improve your mood and may help decrease your blood sugar levels. The oil may be applied directly onto the skin or diffused using a diffuser; its purpose is unknown but believed to interact with parts of your brain that respond to scent, such as limbic systems. There has not been much research conducted regarding aromatherapy so before starting aromatherapy you should discuss its use with your healthcare provider first.
Researchers discovered that inhaling orange and lavender oils reduced autonomic response to pain by decreasing DHR% while not altering pain perception measured on visual analog scale (VAS). They believe this to be due to aroma’s effect on limbic system.
Aromatherapy may also help to relieve stress. Stressful situations can disrupt blood sugar levels and hinder diet plans, but biofeedback techniques allow us to learn to control our own response to stressful stimuli – helping us relax more easily with diabetes and better cope with it overall.
Before undertaking any home treatment for diabetes, always speak with a healthcare provider first. Your doctor can explain the risks and benefits associated with alternative therapies and recommend treatments tailored specifically to your lifestyle. Furthermore, together you can explore ways CAM might fit into your treatment plan; not only could incorporating it improve quality of life while simultaneously increasing self-management capabilities and decreasing healthcare costs.
Meditation
Meditation can help many individuals to cope with emotional and physical discomforts, as well as to find greater purpose in life. Meditation practices may even offer surprising health advantages for people living with diabetes.
Studies have demonstrated that meditation may improve glycemic control, blood pressure and stress-related psychological symptoms in type 2 diabetes patients; however, more research needs to be conducted in order to confirm these results.
Meditation involves focusing on one object at a time – whether that be sound, the sight of a tree, or breathing. For maximum effectiveness, meditate in a quiet setting without distractions like TV or computers; wear comfortable clothes and bring something soothing like water with you for further support.
Meditation can help you focus on the present moment while simultaneously decreasing blood pressure and heart rate, improving sleep, managing diabetes better and decreasing depression and other mental health problems. Meditation should not replace medication from healthcare teams – speak to your healthcare team before considering this alternative therapy as part of their treatment.