More and more American adults are turning to acupuncture, trusting the therapy to address everything from headaches to nausea. One of the lesser-known benefits of acupuncture is its utility in diabetes management. Find out how modern medicine is adapting this ancient Chinese approach to help diabetics.

About Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce or use insulin—a hormone stemming from the pancreas—as it should. Insulin is responsible for transforming glucose in the food you eat into energy that your cells can use. Diabetes thus leads to elevated levels of glucose in the blood, or high blood sugar.

Signs of diabetes include increased thirst and urination, fatigue, blurry vision, tingling in the extremities, and delayed wound healing. Left untreated, high blood glucose is linked to serious health problems like nerve damage, stroke, heart disease, kidney disease and eye issues, among others.

What Acupuncture Can Do

By targeting the right acupuncture points, researchers have been able to use acupuncture to lower glucose and increase insulin levels in rats. Electro-acupuncture, meanwhile, has been suggested as an effective treatment for insulin resistance.

Acupuncture can also treat nerve damage, a common consequence of diabetes. So-called diabetic neuropathy most often occurs in the legs and feet. Acupuncture can relieve pain caused by the condition.

Is Acupuncture for You?

If you are diabetic and considering looking for ways to better manage your illness, talk to an acupuncturist. Look for a licensed practitioner with the appropriate training. They can advise whether you are a candidate for treatment.

Acupuncture will not only help manage your diabetes, it will also improve your overall health and wellness. For instance, it has been shown to lower blood pressure, combat inflammation—and even improve depression.

Marie Gonzales, L. Ac. of Nyack, NY, is a licensed acupuncturist with over 20 years of experience. Based on your personal needs and goals, she will develop a tailor-made plan to improve your overall well-being. You can view testimonials from some of her satisfied acupuncture clients online. For an appointment, call (845) 398-1312.