1^st Quarter 2005	In Touch
	Power of Touch Therapeutic clinic 55 Clanfield Street Fredericton North Phone: 457-0653 wendy@poweroftouch.ca www.poweroftouch.ca
	Do You Have Diabetes?
Diabetes Is Stressful! Diabetes is a condition that involves an inadequate production or utilization of insulin. Also a disorder of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism diabetes leaves the body unable to transport glucose into fat and muscle tissue causing weight loss. Type I – Insulin dependant diabetes (absolute insulin deficiency) Formerly known as Juvenile Diabetes Type II – Non-insulin dependant diabetes (the amount of insulin is inadequate or ineffective to lower blood sugar levels) Formerly known as Adult Onset Diabetes What’s New at Power of Touch Clinic? Whoo Hoo! I’m a writer! Check out my massage articles at www.bodyworkweb.com	So many folks have asked me about massage therapy for people with diabetes recently that I had to make it the topic of this 1st Quarter 2005 Intouch Newsletter. Most benefits of massage therapy would be similar for everyone but there are extra bonuses for those individuals with a diabetic condition. There is no other way to describe it, living with diabetes is stressful! Monitoring blood sugar, taking insulin orally or by injection, watching your diet, getting proper exercise are just some of the day-to-day	concerns of the diabetic. Much needed is the relaxing effects of massage. By calming the nervous system massage can relieve anxiety and can have an incredible effect in reducing stress hormones in turn decreasing blood sugar levels. Massage increases the circulation of blood and lymph bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. Better circulation increases and improves the uptake of insulin by the body. Massage of the hands and feet where circulation is often impaired in diabetics can be really beneficial.	Elevated blood sugars cause connective tissue to thicken making muscles, tendons and ligaments stiff and unelastic. Joints will be affected by a decrease in their range of motion. By working directly on muscles and connective tissue massage helps keep the joints healthy and mobile. A combination of massage treatments, mobilizations, stretches followed up with regular exercise at home will maintain the health and flexibility of muscles and joints.
	Therapeutic Massage for the Diabetic…
	It is possible that massage can destabilize a diabetic. The increased circulation that a massage causes increases the uptake of insulin by the body. So I always encourage diabetic clients to eat or take your insulin which ever is appropriate before you have your massage treatment. We keep concentrated sugars in the form of candies or juice on hand just in case of hypoglycemia (insulin	reaction) during your session. What I suggest also is to keep track of what your blood sugar levels do. Test your blood glucose right before your massage then test again right after your session. Wait about three hours then test one last time. Record the levels each time. This will give you a very accurate picture of what	changes if any occur in your blood glucose levels. Treat yourself to a relaxation massage today. It feels like you are floating on a cloud!
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