BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

OHIO VALLEY MASSAGE ASSOCIATES PROVIDING MASSAGE FOR STEUBENVILLE, WINTERSVILLE, WEIRTON, TORONTO AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS. Office: 123 East Road Toronto, Ohio 740-544-6644 1-800-618-7522 email George@MassageOhioValley.com

Massage and Diabetes

Massage and Diabetes....As more and more Americans incorporate alternative therapies into their program of health care, people with diabetes, too, are looking to the usefulness of different therapies to complement their lifestyle measures and medical care. One such alternative therapy is massage.

The therapeutic use of touch might be seen as a new development in health care, but there are traditions of touch therapies that date back through the centuries in cultures around the world. The Chinese have written records of therapeutic massage dating to 3000 BC, and there are ancient Egyptian pictographs showing the practice of foot massage.

In recent times, the field of massage has gained prominence in the areas of athletic training, medical massage, and spa and fitness centers. So a person with diabetes seeking to optimize his health care may well wonder whether massage therapy might be useful to him.

Increased circulation. Massage increases the circulation of blood and lymph, facilitating the transport of oxygen and other nutrients into the body's tissues. Improved circulation allows for more efficient uptake of insulin by the cells. Circulation is often impaired in people with diabetes due to the damaging effects of elevated blood sugar levels on the cells of the body.

Myofascial effects. Massage works directly with the muscles (myo) and connective tissues (fascia) in the body, helping to facilitate greater mobility in the body. This is especially important for people with diabetes, because elevated blood sugar causes a thickening of connective tissue, which affects the mobility and elasticity of the myofascial system. This may be experienced as stiffness in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments or as a decreased range of motion in the joints.

Stress hormones also contribute to chemical changes in the connective tissue, causing a stickiness between the layers of fascia. Massage therapy can significantly counter this effect. Stretching and regular exercise are also important to help encourage flexibility and health of the myofascial system.

Most of the people who have received a massage at the clinic have had Type 1 diabetes, and they have ranged in age from 25 to 50 years old. Sessions last about an hour, with the actual hands-on massage lasting about 45 to 50 minutes. Each person is required to check his blood glucose level before the session and to note the time of their most recent meal or snack and what was eaten. He/She also notes the time and amount of his/her most recent injection of insulin (or bolus of insulin if using an insulin pump). After the session, he/she checks the blood glucose level again.

Those receiving massage have reported greater levels of physical and emotional comfort after the session than before.

The clinic has also produced some useful data on the changes that occur in blood glucose levels during massage. We have seen changes of as much as a 100-mg/dl decrease in an hour, as well as a 100-mg/dl increase. In general, however, massage therapy tends to lower blood sugar levels by approximately 20 mg/dl to 40 mg/dl. The more dramatic decreases could usually be accounted for by recent injections of insulin or by vigorous exercise in the hours preceding the massage session. The dramatic increases were attributed to a missed insulin dose or a dose that did not adequately cover a snack or meal.

While the massage clinic is not a scientifically controlled study by any means, it does raise an important safety issue. Since massage can have a dramatic effect on a person's blood sugar level, both massage therapists and those receiving massages need to be aware of that and be prepared to treat hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). In addition, since people naturally tend to be relaxed and sometimes a little "spacey" or disoriented after receiving a massage, getting a massage may raise the possibility that a person will not recognize his usual warning symptoms of hypoglycemia. This underscores the importance of checking for low blood sugar before leaving the premises where the massage took place. And since the blood-glucose-lowering effect of a massage can last for several hours, it is wise to continue with regular monitoring throughout the day.

Enjoying massage safely Because changes in blood glucose level can and do occur when people with diabetes receive massage, it's important to inform your massage therapist about your diabetes. It is also important to describe the signs and symptoms you experience when your blood sugar is low. Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia vary widely from person to person. Any one or more of the following may occur: excessive sweating (skin may feel clammy), faintness, headache, an inability to awaken, "spaceyness" (a person may talk or move very slowly or not be able to speak coherently), irritability, change in personality, and rapid heartbeat. In addition, some people have lost the ability to sense when their blood sugar is getting low, a condition called hypoglycemia unawareness. For these people especially, it can be helpful to know that the massage therapist is keeping an eye out for signs of low blood sugar.

In addition to describing your symptoms of hypoglycemia or lack thereof, be sure to explain to your massage therapist how you treat it. Bring glucose tablets, juice, or your usual hypoglycemia treatment to your massage sessions. By taking these precautions, massage can be safely enjoyed by a person with diabetes.

An integral part of management

Massage can give a wonderful psychological boost to someone who is living with diabetes and striving to balance all the factors involved in maintaining a healthy lifestyle—proper nutrition, adequate exercise, blood glucose monitoring, appropriate use of medicines, and stress management. Massage therapy contributes an important piece to an individuals diabetes regimen of care.

An integral part of management

Working with you and your doctors to improve your health and over all well being!

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT NOW ON LINE PURCHASE AN INSTANT GIFT CERTIFICATE ON LINE NOW

Special Note & Disclaimer: The kind of massage and/or bodywork that is performed by Ohio Valley Massage Associates is ONLY therapeutic in nature, and is NEVER sexual in any way. Adherence to this statement, and the entire covering of private areas, are completely non-negotiable. Sexual comments, suggestions, innuendoes, actions or conversation will NOT be tolerated and are grounds for termination of the session which will remain paid in full. If we sense that a client is headed in that direction, one warning will be issued, anything after that will result in the immediate termination of the session per our policies and state law.

I understand that the services provided are not a replacement for medical or psychological care and that any information provided is not prescriptive or diagnostic in nature and is for educational purposes only. In consideration of participation for massage therapy with Ohio Valley Massage Associates, I for myself and my heirs and assigns, hereby release and forever discharge Ohio Valley Massage Associates and their employees from any claims, demands and causes of action arising from my participation in this massage program.