Reduce Anxiety with Massage

Massage

"The benefits of massage therapy for people with diabetes include relaxation and improved circulation," says Mary Kathleen Rose, a massage therapist in Boulder, Colorado, who also has diabetes. "By calming the nervous system, massage can bring a much-needed rest and a very reassuring sense of well-being."

The elevated blood glucose levels that occur with diabetes can damage cell walls, impair circulation, and thicken connective tissue like tendons and ligaments, resulting in decreased mobility. Massage therapy addresses each of those issues. "Massage improves circulation and allows for more efficient uptake of insulin by the cells," Rose says. "Rubbing the hands and feet can be particularly beneficial."

"My weekly massage is my safe haven," says Billie Barkley, who has type 2 diabetes. "It's an oasis away from all the stressful things in my life. When I enter that room and the door closes, it's just for me. Massage makes me feel marvelous, and I don't have to worry about anything for a solid hour. It keeps me going."