How Chiropractic Care Helps with Diabetes Management

It’s likely you’ve met someone affected by diabetes–nearly 10% of the United States population has some form of the disease. Every year, 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes, and it is the 7th leading cause of death in the country. The good news is that for many people, diabetes is a manageable condition through a combination of lifestyle changes, medical management, and preventative care like visiting an Urbandale chiropractor. 

Diabetes and the Body 

The source of diabetes is the pancreas, an organ responsible for creating insulin and moderating blood sugar levels. The insulin signals to our body to absorb glucose from food and convert it into energy; when this doesn’t happen, blood sugars can spike out of control. Diabetes can take different forms: Type 1 represents a pancreas that cannot create insulin in sufficient levels, while Type 2 occurs when the body responds incorrectly to the insulin. 

Over time, diabetes can lead to problems with the kidneys, eyes, nerves, feet, skin, and digestive system. The disease also carries an increased risk of heart disease, as well as bone disorders and joint problems. 
Most people with diabetes are treated through changes in nutrition and exercise routines, which can be very helpful. Injections of insulin and other medications may also be used to manage the condition, but there is no cure. People with diabetes often experience high costs of care and a poor quality of life without proper management. 

Chiropractic Care for Diabetes

When visiting a Des Moines chiropractor like Dr. Shane Hoffman, the pancreas will be the focus of your care for diabetes. The nerves that impact the pancreas run through your seventh thoracic vertebrae, T7. Any misalignments in and around this bone can impact the function of your pancreas, worsening your symptoms. Gentle adjustments can improve this alignment and allow your nerves to better communicate throughout your body, giving the pancreas its best chance of functioning well.
Chiropractic care has been shown to be effective for all forms of diabetes, including juvenile. One study from 2011 showed a significant decrease in hemoglobin A1C for a 4-year-old girl with Type 1 diabetes; another followed a 46-year-old with diabetes-induced neck pain, both of which improved with adjustments and exercise.

Managing Diabetes 

Diabetes can lead to many long-term complications when not managed properly over a lifetime. A common complication is called diabetic polyneuropathy, a type of nerve damage caused by diabetes. Not only can this cause pain, burning, and tingling in the lower extremities, but it is also a cause of foot amputations in diabetes patients. In one case, an 80-year-old man experiencing diabetic polyneuropathy underwent adjustments for four months, leading to an improvement and helping him avoid an amputation. 
Some diabetes is preventable, which is always the preferable option. But whether you are looking to avoid the disease altogether or manage an existing diagnosis, the team at Thrive Family Chiropractic is here to help. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with Des Moines chiropractor Dr. Shane Hoffman. 

Sources

Murphy, D.R. “Diagnosis and Manipulative Treatment in Diabetic Polyneuropathy and Its Relation to Intertarsal Joint Dysfunction.” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapies, 1994 Jan; 17(1): 29-37. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8138730.

Sudano, N., Robinson-Leblanc, D. “Improved A1C Levels in a Patient with Insulin-Dependent Type 1 Diabetes Undergoing Chiropractic Care: A Case Report.” Journal of Pediatric, Maternal, & Family Health, 2011; 4: 120-124. https://chiropracticpediatrics.sharepoint.com/Pages/2011_1087_diabetes.aspx.

Valli, J. “Chiropractic Management of a 46-Year-Old Type 1 Diabetic Patient with Upper Crossed Syndrome and Adhesive Capsulitis.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 2004 Fall; 3(4): 138-144. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2647023/.