Diabetes = C/I?

[Bevans]

I was taught that diabetes was a possible CI requiring a Doctor's note. Maybe the school was practicing CYA. There seems to be a lot of ideas about this.     What do you do?     Does it depend on lack of sensation?     Does it depend on lack of sensation only if you do Deep Tissue?

 

[loriel]

The contraindications are because of slow healing and possible fluid retention.Their extremities may be more fragile because of poor blood flow.  They may bruise easier and have problems healing.  With sensation loss (neuropathy), they may not be able to tell you how much pressure is comfortable or if your hot stones are too hot.  What feels good to them may actually be damaging.  Any skin damage to legs or feet with little blood flow can lead to huge sores, infection, and possible amputation or death because they just don't heal.  If they have a lot of swelling in their extremities, pushing the fluid around can be a bad thing.  Since their circulatory system is compromised, the fluid could build up in their lungs or around their heart.If either one of these situations are present, I still massage, but I keep it light on the extremities.  I do normal deep tissue on back and shoulders.  The anterior neck I might not pursue as aggressively on someone with diabetes because of their increased risk of stroke and heart problems.  I'd also leave the light in the massage room a bit brighter and make sure there isn't anything to bumb against.  Diabetes is so common now, and there are lots of different symptoms and seforum.xxxes.  Some people can manage it with diet alone and are relatively symptom free.  For them I wouldn't bother with a doctor note.  If the client has obvious severe health problems though, its probably a good idea to get a MD oppinion.Were you wondering just because, or do you have a client with diabetes?Katykangaroo

 

[turboae]

I massage plenty of people with Diabetes. I usually ask if they are insulin dependent and if so, have they taken their insulin. I also ask if they have any diminished sesnsation to their extremities. I have never refused anyone with diabetes for massage in the 5 years I've been in practice.  ;D

 

[Miuccia]

My son (age 12) has type 1 diabetes and ADHD.  He loves massage and it also helps calm him down when he just is irritated.  I know with him, not only do I need to make sure his sugars are not running high (above 150) But, more importantly too low (below 70).  Massage seems to affect the sugar levels somehow.  He is almost always is 10-40 points lower after a 45 - 60 minute session.  Insulin makes the blood sugar lower.  So, it is not only important that they take their insulin but also that they have adequate carbohydrates in them so, they do not have a low blood sugar while you are working on them.  When the sugar level gets too low the person can become disoriented, dizzy, and even go into a coma.With diabetics I always have people monitor their sugars to make sure they are within proper range before I am comfortable working on them. :

 

[Monique]

Right on HHMB! I always have a can of OJ  & sugar in my drawer in case they need it  I've had 26 years of hospital experience so I'm quite comfortable working with many medical conditions!

 

[LuvA]

Diabetes = C/I?

I think Diabetics can benefit a lot from massage. My dad has nerve damage in his legs from not controlling his diabetes- he's type 2 and he's still in the early diagnostic seforum.xxxes of learning how to deal with it. He's on his feet a lot, it's med and diet controlled, so Non insulin dependent. He was visiting at my home and was having this leg pains so I massaged his calves. No deep work, no compression just enough to get the circulation going- the cause of the pain. He said he's been feeling great since I did the massage. Since he's a police officer, he is on his feet quite often. I think it depends on the situation. Since dm has such a profound effect on the body, I would make sure they don't have co existing conditions that would be contraindicated. (blood disorders,htn, bruises, pitting edema, etc) I definatly would NOT place stones on these people. But light massage can do wonders!

 

[clueless??]

Understand that there are two types of diabetes: Type I are individuals that are insulin-dependent and make up less than 10% of people with diabetes.  Type II is adult onset diabetes, usually controlled with diet and exercise.  Type II has grown to almost epidemic proportions and is usually brought on from being over-weight.  Both types are subject to similiar complications, but the complications are dependent on the individual's control of their blood sugars.  Peripheral neuropathy is one of the more severe complications and there are very few treatments for it, except for pain medications that have lots of side-effects.  There are topical analgesics that give temporary relief---products with capsaicin are the best but they usually take some time to get used to.   Keep in mind that the severity of the disease varies greatly between individuals.  I have had Type I diabetes now for almost 20 years.  I wear an insulin pump and monitor my sugars on average 8 times a day.  I have no complications as I place a concerted effort in controlling my diabetes.  Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage and can be very painful and life-altering.  Many people who suffer from PN take anti-depressants and the disease can lead to amputations.  In closing, try not to categorize people with diabetes by calling them "diabetics".  That is a label that I've never accepted---people who suffer from cancer are not called "canceretics".  I am not a "diabetic, I am a person who suffers from diabetes.  Hope this helps.Jeff BaskettSombra Cosmetics Inc.

 

[Saliva Man]

Diabetes = C/I?

Thanks all for answering. Instead of getting a Doctor's note, I may write up some specific questions to ask. Doctors, in my experience, only sign that it's okay to give massage with no other info besides the conditions the client has.I'll also make sure I have sugar or pretzels (got that from my CPR training). I'll ask a couple of times during the session if they feel light-headed. I do balancing Deep Tissue. I know not to do it on the areas with decreased sensation.

 

[Rogerson]

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and was prescribed drugs to manage sugar level in the blood, and cholesterol. Having been very successfully treated by Anthony Aguis at City Healing in the past for gout by acupuncture, I approached him for advice on the treatment for Type 2 Diabetes. Again, it was very successful. In 6 months, together with acupuncture, diet and lifestyle advice, I have lost 2 stone (12.5kg). The cholesterol level is now 2.7. My GP has now taken me off Statins and the diabetes medication has been reduced drastically and hopefully, will be withdrawn eventually. I have now been completely taken off the medication from my GP and sign of from Diabetes.