PT For Diabetic Neuropathy

When you are living with diabetes, you have to pay close attention to your health. Watching your weight, exercising, taking medications, and monitoring your blood sugar are all essential for diabetic patients. In addition, diabetic patients have to be mindful of their lower extremity health to avoid potentially life-threatening complications like diabetic neuropathy. November is National Diabetes Month, making it the perfect time for our team at Island Sports Physical Therapy to discuss some of the benefits of physical therapy for diabetic neuropathy. Continue reading to learn more. 

What is Diabetic Neuropathy?

Diabetes can seriously impact the nerves and blood vessels of your feet, so much so that even minor foot problems can lead to significant complications. Most foot problems that diabetic patients face arise from nerve damage and poor circulation. Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage that can occur when you have diabetes. High blood sugar levels can damage nerves throughout the body, especially those in the legs and feet. This condition can be quite painful and disabling. Some of the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include:

• Burning or tingling sensation. 
• Numbness.
• Loss of sensation or inability to feel pain or temperature changes. 
• Sharp pains.
• Increased sensitivity. 
• Ulcers, infections, bone, and joint pain.

Any individual with diabetes can develop neuropathy, but certain risk factors can make you more susceptible to nerve damage. Uncontrolled blood sugar, obesity, and smoking can all cause nerve damage. Diabetes is most commonly treated with a combination of exercise, a healthy diet, and medication or insulin. However, through exercise, physical therapy has numerous potential benefits for diabetic patients. 

Benefits of Physical Therapy for Diabetic Neuropathy

Physical therapists play a valuable role in helping individuals maintain and improve functions that can become limited by diabetic neuropathy. Our dedicated physical therapists at Island Sports Physical Therapy will work with you to develop an effective treatment plan to address your specific goals and needs. Here are some of the benefits of physical therapy for managing diabetic neuropathy:

• Reduced Fall Risk – Diabetic neuropathy can cause weakness in your lower limbs. Our physical therapy team will work with you to strengthen your core and legs to improve coordination and balance. With increased strength, you are less likely to experience falls, which can negatively impact your health and put your independence at risk. 
• Reduced Pain – Exercise releases endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers. Aerobic exercises like swimming, walking, or biking are some of the best ways to release endorphins. Physical therapy exercises also increase blood flow to your limbs, keeping the nerves healthy and improving function and feeling in your limbs. Physical therapists can also offer alternative treatment modalities to help disrupt pain signals from damaged nerves. 
• Improved Blood Sugar Levels – Regular exercise helps your body maintain and control blood sugars. Even just walking every day can improve your blood sugar, which can slow or stop the nerve damage that causes neuropathy. 
• Improved Cardiovascular Health – Aerobic exercise improves blood vessel health, lowers cholesterol, and lowers blood sugar levels. A healthier heart helps improve your blood flow and nerve health. 

Our physical therapists can also help you create a treatment plan that you can utilize to help you stay active and manage your diabetes. Exercise is a vital component in combating diabetic neuropathy symptoms and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you are interested in physical therapy for diabetic neuropathy, our team will consult with you first to plan the most effective exercise regimen or diet. 

Contact Us

At Island Sports Physical Therapy, your wellness is our top priority. We have seen how devastating diabetic neuropathy can be, so we will work with you to ensure you can maintain a healthy and active lifestyle for as long as possible. To learn more about physical therapy for diabetic neuropathy, be sure to contact our team today!