Diabetic Care
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) defines diabetes as a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Nearly 21 million American adults and children have diabetes.
There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, previously known as juvenile diabetes, causes the body’s insulin production process to fail. The ADA estimates that 5% to 10% of all diabetics have Type 1 diabetes. They may also have hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, ketoacidosis and/or celiac disease.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type. It is characterized by the body’s inability to properly use insulin, combined with a relative insufficiency of insulin. Type 2 diabetes is more common among older people. Complications for both types of diabetes can include cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy.
Diabetics need special care for neuropathy (a condition that can cause numbness, pain or tingling in the feet and legs and weakness of the extremities). Diabetics also need special care for their feet.
Physical Therapist David Regan provides advanced treatments designed to reduce your discomfort, improve your circulation and get you functioning again. David will tailor a treatment program and home exercise program for your specific diabetic challenges and help you manage your condition, safely and effectively.
He will check your range of motion, flexibility, strength, posture and other points that may affect your pain experience and then create a customized treatment program based on his findings. Some of the therapies he uses are:
- Anodyne® infrared light therapy – This advanced therapy offers a new, clinically proven treatment option for diabetics who suffer from pain, stiffness, muscle spasms, circulation difficulties and foot wounds. Anodyne is safe, painless, noninvasive light therapy that has helped tens of thousands of people all over the world. Millions of treatments are now delivered each year. Anodyne therapy is particularly helpful for diabetic patients.
- Manual therapy – This specialized form of physical therapy is delivered by the hands instead of a device. The goal of manual therapy is to place pressure on muscle tissue and manipulate the joints in an effort to decrease pain caused by spasms, tension or joint dysfunction.
- Exercise – Many diabetic patients benefit from using resistance machines, free weights and other exercise equipment to encourage flexibility and strength, such as the ergometer, recumbent bike and home exercise programs.
Because no two patients are the same, your specific treatment program may use one, two or several therapies and/or modalities to help relieve your pain, promote healing and bring flexibility and movement back to your life. Please ask our physical therapy experts for more information about treating your diabetic needs with comprehensive physical therapy.
To schedule an appointment, use our Appointment Request Form or call (337) 477-8823 today! To schedule a referral, please visit our Physician Referral page.