Approximately 25.8 million men, women and children have Diabetes or another Endocrine system issue. It is one of the biggest health concerns in the U.S. today. Treatment for diabetes requires keeping close watch over your blood sugar levels (and keeping them at a goal set by your doctor) with a combination of medications exercise, and diet.
Common symptoms of diabetes:
Urinating often
Feeling very thirsty
Feeling very hungry – even though you are eating
Extreme fatigue
Blurry vision
Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
Weight loss – even though you are eating more (type 1)
Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)
Early detection and treatment of diabetes can decrease the risk of developing complications.
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. With type 2 diabetes your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance.
Diabetes Drugs
If you have type 1 diabetes, you will need insulin in the form of injections or through use of a continuous pump By checking your own blood sugar levels, you can track your body’s changing needs and work with your doctor to figure out the best dosage.
For some people with type 2 diabetes, diet and exercise are enough to keep the disease under control. Other people need medication, which may include insulin and an oral drug.
Acupuncture and Diabetes
A theory has arisen as to how diabetes progresses. The disease begins with a deficiency of yin. However, patients in the early stage of diabetes actually have a hyperactive metabolism that does not provide useful energy. Food nutrients are not successfully utilized; This yin deficiency generates heat and parches the yin. The imbalance of yin and yang eventually degrades and inhibits the qi (chee), so that qi and yin deficiency co-exist. At this point, secondary effects may begin causing many serious symptoms. Without proper nourishment of qi and yin, yang eventually becomes impaired, and the patient, now with advanced disease, has a combined deficiency of qi, yin, and yang.
How Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Treats Diabetes
In treating diabetes, Oriental medicine offers a way to address each patient individually to eliminate the symptoms associated with diabetes and reduce the need for insulin. The practitioner may choose to use a variety of techniques during treatment including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, bodywork, lifestyle/dietary recommendations and energetic exercises. The treatment for diabetes will focus on regulating the circulation of blood and Qi and balancing the organ systems to improve pancreatic function and address internal heat and the depletion of fluids.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine can be an important component to the treatment of diabetes. Different formulas may be effective for different people, so practitioners may try several different approaches
Remember, prevention (and laughter) is the best medicine, so why don’t you call me at (561)272-7816 and arrange for a free consultation and personalized wellness treatment program or treatment for diabetes and any other health issue.
Edward Scarlett of Alive and Well Acupuncture Clinic
For nearly 20 years, Dr. Edward Scarlett has been serving the Delray Beach community by spreading wellness through multiple Acupuncture styles and Body Work techniques. He is the founder and lead physician at Alive and Well Acupuncture Clinic. Specializing in managing acute and chronic pain conditions with the use of Acupuncture, Acupressure, Moxibustation, and Deep Muscle Therapy, Dr. Scarlett has built a reputation for achieving excellent results. He believes it is most important to treat the cause of people’s health issues while focusing on achieving relief.
