Everybody needs insulin in order to use blood sugar, or glucose, for energy by carrying the sugar from the blood to the cells. When this isn’t done properly, the blood sugar increases in the blood and causes complications, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and side-effects of feeling very ill.
Individuals that have diabetes can manage their diabetes and other vascular conditions by having a physical therapist guide them through a proper exercise plan. Physical therapists are trained to develop an exercise program catered to the individual. Controlling blood sugar can help the effects of this disease, and an exercise plan will help manage the blood sugar levels.
Strengthening and aerobic exercises help manage blood sugar levels by helping the cells use the glucose in the blood for energy. When the muscles contract during exercise, another mechanism is stimulated that is not related to insulin. This unrelated mechanism aids the cells in absorbing the glucose rather than having it dangerously build up in the blood. Glucose is taken up during exercise and after. Aerobic exercise and resistance training are ideal for managing diabetes, and a physical therapist can help you be the healthiest you can be with this illness.
The physical therapist may also work alongside the physician to keep the diabetes monitored for a healthy and positive well-being. Activities provided can include aerobic exercise of moderate intensity, depending on the patient’s abilities. Walking briskly, swimming or water exercises, and dancing are activities the therapist may feel is a good match for the patient. For some clients, a more vigorous work out will be necessary, such as jogging, hiking, martial arts, aerobic exercises, and dancing. With Type Two diabetes, resistance training may be offered if the patient is able to use weights or bands. Whatever the therapy prescribed, it will need to be given no less than three days a week on a consistent basis to keep the diabetic patient feeling great and being the healthiest he can be.
“Diabetes.” American Physical Therapy Association. American Physical Therapy Association, 2011. Web. 25 May 2016. <http://www.moveforwardpt.com/symptomsconditionsdetail.aspx?cid=892c2628-6e96-41fa-93e1-4c973c247010>.