Shiatsu Therapy And Its Positive Effects On Diabetes

Shiatsu therapy is a Japanese term for “finger pressure” and has been found to be a complementary approach to treatment of diabetes. With the approval of a doctor, Shiatsu can be used to reduce blood sugar levels.

Research suggests that this form of therapy helps reduce pain (e.g. back, labor, menstrual pains) decrease nausea and vomiting experienced post surgery, and enhance sleep quality within elderly patients. Plus, it helps reduce symptoms of neuropathy in patients with diabetes.

Shiatsu is one form of Japanese bodywork and is used as an alternative type of medicine. It utilizes thumbs, fingers, palms, feet, and other devices to place pressure on a patient’s body.

Massage therapists might also use techniques including joint manipulation, assisted stretching, and mobility. These are from traditional Chinese medicine practices wherein channel networks (a.k.a. meridians) are believed to direct the oath towards Qi, the energy of life.

Before a Shiatsu massage takes places, patients are asked medical and general wellness questions. Sessions are done on the floor level or on that of a table. Patients can be clothed or totally nude and it depends on the client’s level of comfort.

The meridians or channel networks are treated with gentle finger, thumb, knee, or elbow pressure. When the flow is seen to be weak, deep pressure using the thumb is applied. In areas where Qi or energy seems to have built up, chopping, shaking, or rubbing are applied.

The therapist will manipulate and then ease joints before they move towards the treatment of specific channel networks and acupoints. Joints are stretched and pulled gently in order to release Qi.

Throughout the entire massage treatment, the therapist navigates through the movement of Qi. They sense it with their fingers and the responses elicited within the therapist’ body. The practitioner helps the client improve at the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual levels. After the session ends, breathing techniques, special exercises, and dietary recommendations might be given in order to facilitate treatment.

Shiatsu Massage Techniques

During the 1940’s, Namiko Shiatsu created the Shiatsu College. He is created with the invention of modern Shiatsu. The said massage has several varying techniques. These include the following:

• Movement Shiatsu. This type of bodywork was found in Europe. It is the result of combining Zen Shiatsu and the principles of Gestalt therapy, one type of psychotherapy stating that every person consists of body, mind, and soul.
• Hara Shiatsu. This technique combines the power of a person’s breath with gentle pressure in order to release physical and emotional blockages.
• Healing Shiatsu. In this technique, the healer or practitioner activates and supports the patient’s self-healing potential.
• Macrobiotic Shiatsu. This is based on the belief that foods have their own Qi or energy. And when these are eaten, it will affect the way energy or Qi flows in a person’s body.

How Does Shiatsu Positively Affect Patients With Diabetes?

Shiatsu therapy, with its own techniques, can help provide a multitude of benefits towards people suffering from diabetes. Below are some of them:

1. It Helps Reduce Stress

When a person is stressed, particular hormones are produced by the body. These hormones affect blood sugar levels and is the root of certain bodily chemical reactions that increases glucose.

There are instances wherein stressful events lead to change blood sugar levels from normal to over 200’s. Massage therapy has been found to reduce levels of stress and anxiety that might help manage glucose levels in the blood.

2. It Helps Reduce Blood Sugar Levels

Shiatsu massages help to reduce blood sugar levels. Some patients even reported a drop in their blood sugar of about 20 mg/dl to 40 mg/dl. Because stress can raise blood sugar levels, massage can help manage stress and anxiety. This, in turn, leads to the decrease of glucose levels within the blood.

3. Improvement In The Absorption And Efficiency In The Use Of Insulin

For people suffering from Type 2 diabetes, shiatsu might enhance their ability to utilize insulin. Type 1 diabetes patients, on the other hand, would benefit from Shiatsu since it helps in the absorption of insulin.

4. It Helps Improve Blood Circulation

If blood sugar levels are too high, arteries harden and this compromises circulation. This is true especially for areas of the body farthest from that of the heart. Large and even small vessels of the hands and feet are affected.

Massage in these areas can help to enhance blood circulation and it prevents issues associated with poor blood flow. Thus, the development of diabetic foot ulcer is prevented.

5. It Helps A Person Gain A Wider Range Of Motion And Improves Muscle Flexibility

High amounts of sugars within the blood leads to the thickening of tissues located around muscles and tendons. This causes muscles and lead to them becoming taut. If proper massage motions are applied to key areas within stiff joints, muscles and tendons are loosened. As a result, patients experience a lesser degree of stiffness.

As we find further, this leads to enhance one’s ability to exercise, one method of managing diabetic complications. Every complementary treatment advised by the doctor can help a person reach his or her goals and these can be very beneficial.

6. Pain From That Of Neuropathy Decreases

Diabetic nerve pain can be uncomfortable. Shiatsu can help relieve pain by enhancing circulation to affected areas. Since this form of therapy reduces blood sugars and lowers stress levels, it can help reduce the pain experienced from that of neuropathy.

7. It Helps Decrease Blood Pressure Levels

When stress is reduced, blood pressure usually tend to decrease as well. It is part of an overall picture of what relaxation and massage can provide to a person’s nervous and circulatory systems.

8. It Benefits A Person Psychologically

If a person feels calm and relaxed throughout the entire body, endorphins can be triggered by the pain. These feel-good hormones helps reduce depressive moods for some period of time. Blood pressure and heart rate begin to slow down. Because of its efficiency, massage therapy provides a relaxing effect comparable to that of a high-quality sleep.

Shiatsu Massage and Diabetes: Precautions And Contraindications

For one, if shiatsu massage is prescribed by a physician, patients with that of neuropathy can experience a lot of benefits. Deep tissue massage, though, might be contraindicated. There is some degree of risk associated to it. For instance, the client might not be able to feel pressure associated to nerve damage. The risk of incurring an injury is then increased.

Extreme levels of heat or friction should not be applied to patients who have poor control over their diabetes. This is because skin might be burnt due to injury or even decreased sensation. After Shiatsu massage treatments, it is possible that blood sugar levels drop.

Thus, patients as well as therapists should be aware and take caution when it comes to hypoglycemia signs and symptoms. In case glucose levels drop, the patient should always carry glucose tablets or any form of sugar.

It is advised for patients to monitor blood sugar levels before a massage therapy. The same goes after the treatment is finished. In this way, he or she is aware of being hypoglycemic (or not).

Diabetes Acupoints

Acupoints are places within the body wherein acupressure is applied. Depending on the goals of the treatment, the therapist might apply pressure on specific areas of the body. He or she will take precaution when massaging sites of injection. This is to avoid enhanced insulin absorption and prevent hypoglycemia.

If therapists wish to address cataract formation and macular degeneration, acupoints located near a person’s eyes are pressed. Other acupoints for diabetic patients include digestion points, liver foot points, those located at the back part of the knee and points underneath one’s navel.

Finding A Trained Shiatsu Massage Therapist

If you are currently suffering from diabetes and want to find a massage therapist, you can easily do so. Once you get their contact details, give the therapist or clinic a call. Inquire about their shiatsu massage services and look for credentials and certifications.