Diabetes finds its root cause in the pancreas, the organ that creates insulin and helps to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Insulin signals the body to absorb the glucose found in food to convert it into energy. Without it, blood sugar levels can become dangerously high and a variety of problems can result. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to create any insulin or enough insulin to function properly. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body simply responds incorrectly to insulin.
Nearly 10% of the US population has diabetes, and another third of the population has prediabetes. Medical costs for those with diabetes are nearly twice as much as those without diabetes, and those with diabetes can expect to live between 10 and 20 years less than someone without diabetes.
How Do We Fight Diabetes?
So what do we do? As Americans, as children of aging parents, as parents of growing children… how do we fight this rampant, widespread disease? We begin by taking steps to improve overall health. The two most significant risk factors of type 2 diabetes (the most common variation) include being overweight and being inactive. We can start by encouraging our family and friends to be more active, lose weight if necessary, and eat a well-balanced and healthy diet. We can also make strides toward improving our overall health by getting under chiropractic care.
Chiropractic Care for Overall Health and Diabetes Prevention & Management
Chiropractic care is focused on whole-body health, and it aims to improve the brain-body relationship by restoring proper communication pathways in the body. Chiropractic will bring your body back into balance and will help it function optimally. It allows your body the freedom to heal itself and send clear messages from the brain to the rest of the body so that all parts work as efficiently and effectively as possible. Those under chiropractic care have reported improved immune system function, improved sleep, increased mood, better posture, less stress, and fewer instances of pain and injury.
In addition to improving your overall health, chiropractic care is a great method to prevent and manage diabetes. While we would never recommend stopping medication on a whim, chiropractic care often allows individuals to discontinue many of their medications, including diabetes medication. Since diabetes stems from a problem with the pancreas, chiropractors who treat those with diabetes will be particularly interested in the seventh thoracic vertebra, or T7. This is the vertebra that contains the nerve that runs directly to the pancreas, and if it is misaligned even the tiniest amount, it can wreak havoc on pancreas function, leading to diabetes or prediabetes.
Relief from Diabetes and Fewer Complications
While you seek to manage or eradicate your diabetes, you are still at risk of developing other complications related to the disease. Chiropractic care has proven beneficial in reducing the likelihood of those with diabetes developing other musculoskeletal issues, such as muscle cramps, muscle infarction, complex regional pain syndrome, limited joint mobility, diabetic stiff hands syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoporosis, and more.
Lithia Springs chiropractor Dr. Ronnie Bolar is ready to set up a consultation to discuss how he can help you prevent and manage diabetes. Give him and his team a call at Vital Life Chiropractic to take your first step toward better health and a better life.
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.
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/.
Wyatt, L.H., Ferrance, R.J. “The Musculoskeletal Effects of Diabetes Mellitus.” The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 2006 Mar; 50(1): 43-50. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1839979/.