Managing Type 2 Diabetes can feel overwhelming, with constant monitoring of blood sugar levels and the added pressure to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This constant pressure and inability to relax play havoc with mental well-being.
So, in addition to traditional treatments, many individuals are turning to alternative therapies for Type 2 Diabetes. While many therapies help restore emotional well-being and reduce over reliance on medications, some revolutionary alternative therapies can even help in Diabetes-reversal.
The different alternative therapies for Type 2 Diabetes offer holistic healing and assist individuals in managing their physical and emotional well-being with a carefree mind. In this blog, we shed light on the most effective alternative therapies for Type 2 Diabetes.
1. Kumbhak Therapy
We are mentioning Kumbhak Therapy first because it stands apart from traditional and alternative therapies by treating diabetes from the perspective of it being a metabolic disorder.
Kumbhak Therapy looks beyond irregular pancreatic function as a main cause of high glucose levels associated with Type 2 Diabetes, and considers high glucose can be a result of other factors like weak digestion, weak immunity, weak nerve function, hormonal imbalance, anxiety etc
As per Kumbhak science, the extract from our food intake is called Rasa. The Rasa is transformed into blood, the blood into tissues, and the tissues into adipose parts including lipo proteins. Eventually, the adipose parts transform into bones, bones into bone marrow, and finally into reproductive cells. Kumbhak science holds that a weak metabolism at any one or more of these stages causes symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes.
In Kumbhak Therapy, identifying the root cause of Type 2 Diabetes condition is done through a practice called Prana Shakti diagnosis. Once the diagnosis establishes the weakest aspect, reparative practices and solutions are customised to help the individuals regain the strength in the weakest aspect. This helps in gaining metabolic balance.
So, Kumbhak Therapy looks beyond blood sugar management alone, but strives to re-establish metabolic strength, balance, and rhythm of the organs and their functioning capabilities. Kumbhak therapy looks at reversing the problems associated with Diabetes – Low Energy, Hunger Pangs, Neuropathy, Retinopathy, slow healing of wounds etc.
Kumbhak Therapy can improve emotional health of individuals battling Type 2 Diabetes and reduce their reliance on medications.
The fascinating thing is that Kumbhak Therapy is an effective Diabetes-reversal program. Yes! When the metabolism is revived and strengthened, it can also lead to reversal of the diabetic condition. Kumbhak Therapy is also effective to heal conditions like Hypothyroidism, BP, Heart Condition, Cancer, and other such chronic ailments.
2. Yoga
Yoga is considered the best alternative therapy for Type 2 Diabetes. Having a dedicated yoga routine can enhance insulin sensitivity and overall blood sugar control. Yoga has the potential to enhance insulin sensitivity through several mechanisms,
Stress Reduction
Yoga promotes relaxation and reduces stress levels, thereby lowering cortisol levels and improving blood sugar control.
Enhanced Physical Activity
Yoga involves synchronised movements which improve glucose uptake by muscles and promotes better insulin action. Advanced yoga practices involve resistance and strength-building poses, and this helps increase muscle mass and improve glucose utilisation.
Improved Blood Circulation
Yoga is proven to promote good circulation and better blood flow. This helps transport glucose and insulin more effectively throughout the body.
Weight Management
Individuals with excess body weight can considerably reduce it with a dedicated yoga routine, thereby improving insulin sensitivity.
Enhanced Mind-Body Connection
Yoga promotes a feeling of wellness and a heightened awareness of bodily sensations. This mindfulness will encourage one to make better lifestyle choices and develop healthier eating habits.
Hormonal Balance
Yoga helps in enriching hormonal balance and enables a smooth body function. By enabling normal functioning of key hormones like insulin and glucagon, Yoga helps in smooth blood sugar regulation.
3. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional medical practice of inserting specially designed needles into specific spots that correspond to different organs and systems in the body. The needles trigger a response and stimulate the organs for better health and wellbeing. Acupuncture is considered a good alternative therapy for Type 2 Diabetes. This is how,
Blood Sugar Regulation
Acupuncture can influence the secretion of hormones involved in glucose metabolism, such as insulin and glucagon. This enhances insulin sensitivity. Additionally, they aid in improved blood flow and better metabolic processes. This can help in a balanced flow of glucose and insulin through the body.
Stress Reduction
Acupuncture promotes relaxation and helps reduce stress, thereby lowering cortisol levels and enhancing blood sugar control.
Heals Neuropathy
Diabetic Neuropathy is an undesirable side effect of Diabetes. This leads to pain, tingling, and numbness in the extremities. Acupuncture has the potential to alleviate such symptoms and facilitate normal functioning.
Smooth Blood Circulation
By promoting hormonal balance and improved blood flow by stimulating the key organs, Acupuncture helps in better glucose metabolism. This considerably helps reduce the impact of Type 2 Diabetes.
4. Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is a healthcare discipline focused on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders and nervous system functioning. It is a holistic approach that emphasises the body’s ability to heal itself. Though Chiropractic care is not the first point of therapy for Type 2 Diabetes, it helps in diabetes management through
Improved Nervous System Functioning
Chiropractic care is to correct the misalignments in the spinal cord. By correcting these misalignments, the body gains the ability for smooth communication between the brain and the body. This in turn leads to better glucose metabolism.
Pain Management
Type 2 Diabetes can affect different individuals in different ways. But, most of them experience chronic pain and numbness in their extremities. Chiropractic care can help relieve the pain and improve mobility. This in turn encourages patients to be physically active. The result is enhanced insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control.
Stress Reduction
As a supplementary part of pain management, individuals with low pain threshold experience chronic stress. This leads to elevated cortisol levels and haphazard blood sugar levels. When the pain is addressed, the stress is alleviated. This leads to blood sugar control and overall wellness.
5. Massage Therapy
Truth be told, many of us have yearned for a good massage after a hard day’s work! It is quite natural as massage can be therapeutic when our mind or body are weighed down with fatigue. Massage is one of the best therapies to manage Type 2 Diabetes. It helps with
Improved Blood Circulation
Massage induces a good blood flow, thereby helping better glucose metabolism and low blood sugar levels.
Stress Reduction
Massage is therapeutic, stimulates the nerves, and promotes relaxation. This prevents the stress hormone cortisol from rearing its ugly head and impacting the glucose metabolism.
Pain Relief
Massage is beneficial for individuals with Type 2 Diabetes battling chronic pain and neuropathy, as it helps alleviate muscle tension and discomfort. This acts as a catalyst and encourages the individuals to be physically active without fearing pain.
Enhanced Sleep Quality
A regular massage routine relaxes the mind, rejuvenates the body, and promotes good sleep. Good sleep is the prerequisite for effective blood sugar control and management. This effectively puts an end to late night binge eating, thereby keeping the blood sugar levels in check.
6. Aromatherapy
Most of us love essential oils as they have a calming effect and a heavenly aroma. Aromatherapy is one of the beneficial alternative therapies for Type 2 Diabetes. The term Aromatherapy is derived from the word ‘aroma’ (fragrance.) It is a holistic healing practice that uses essential oils extracted from plants to promote physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
Aromatherapy is based on the idea that certain essential oils have specific healing properties and can positively influence the body and mind. The essential oils used in aromatherapy are highly concentrated plant extracts that are distilled from flowers, leaves, barks, roots, or seeds. Each oil has a unique scent and therapeutic effects, ranging from relaxing and calming to energising/uplifting.
These oils are typically inhaled by applying them topically to the skin or diffusing it into the air. The pleasant aroma in the calm ambience of an aromatherapy clinic helps alleviate stress, improve moods, and boost immunity. Aromatherapy aims to harness the healing powers of nature and is often used in massage, bath rituals, and other wellness treatments.
This is how it can help.
Effective Stress Relief
Essential oils, especially lavender and chamomile, are known for their calming properties. They induce a feel of wellness and reduce anxiety. The result is a good hormonal balance and better blood sugar control.
Mood Enhancement
Essential oils are pleasing to our senses and can elevate one’s mood and help him/her combat feelings of fatigue/depression. This promotes relaxation and improved sleep, thereby promoting good metabolic health.
Pain Management
Essential oils like eucalyptus and peppermint oils help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with diabetic neuropathy. This helps individuals battling Type 2 Diabetes to enjoy a quality life.
7. Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy or water therapy is the process of using water in various forms and temperatures – hot, cold, steam, or ice- for pain relief and healing. It is a holistic practice that is believed to work by improving circulation, reducing pain, easing muscle tension, and promoting relaxation.
While hot water therapies like warm baths or saunas, help relax muscles, improve blood flow, and relieve stress, cold water therapies like ice baths and cold compresses are beneficial to reduce inflammation, numb pain, and accelerate healing after injuries. And, alternating between hot and cold water therapies stimulates the circulatory system, thereby reducing swelling and promoting recovery. Hydrotherapy also involves other activities like whirlpool therapy and aquatic exercises.
Hydrotherapy benefits individuals with Type 2 Diabetes in the following ways,
Improved Blood Circulation
Warm water therapy and contrast therapy (a mix of hot water therapy and cold water therapy) stimulate the metabolism, leading to improved blood circulation and better glucose control.
Stress Relief
You must have heard people advising you to have a warm bath when you feel tired. Hydrotherapy techniques are more effective to promote relaxation and keep the stress hormones in check.
Pain Management
Hydrotherapy can effectively alleviate muscle and joint pains, and this is indeed a boon for people suffering Type 2 Diabetes related neuropathy.
Therapeutic Physical Activity
Water based aqua aerobics or swimming act as a low-impact workout, thereby enhancing cardiovascular health and a smooth metabolic function. These workouts can also help in weight management and better blood glucose metabolism.
8. Muscle Relaxation Therapy
Muscle Relaxation Therapy refers to a range of techniques and treatments designed to reduce muscle tension, alleviate pain, and promote physical and mental wellness through voluntary relaxation of muscles. In this therapy, individuals are instructed to tense each muscle group in the body for a few seconds and release the tension to feel the relaxing sensation it brings. This process typically starts with the feet and works its way upwards, mainly targeting high-stress prone areas like arms, shoulders, neck, and face.
Muscle relaxation therapy is commonly used to address pain, stress, and mobility issues caused by various conditions, including chronic diseases, injuries, or overuse of muscles. The benefits of muscle relaxation therapy for Type 2 Diabetes are
Stress Reduction
Diabetic neuropathy causes limited mobility and this in turn leads to muscle spasms and stiffness of joints. Muscle relaxation therapy addresses mobility issues in a systematic way, and helps reduce stress levels. It can uplift the mood and give the motivation to engage in physical activities without the fear of discomfort.
Pain Management
Pulling and relaxing the different muscles helps alleviate muscle tension and reduce discomfort and pain.
Improved Sleep
Muscle relaxation therapy involves techniques that calm the body and mind, thereby promoting good sleep and curtailing sleeplessness induced binge eating. This helps in good hormonal balance and improved glucose metabolism.
9. Biofeedback Therapy
Biofeedback Therapy is a non-invasive treatment technique that helps individuals to control their physical and physiological functioning by providing real-time feedback about bodily functions. During these sessions, sensors are placed on the body with an intent to measure the body’s psychological responses. The individuals can see these real-time data on the monitor. This helps them see how their body responds to different stimuli.
Biofeedback Therapy helps them learn techniques to consciously control their vital processes like heart rate, muscle tension, skin temperature, and brain activity. Additionally, anomalies are treated through reparative techniques like relaxation, breathing exercises, or visualisation. Overtime, the metabolic function and glucose mechanism is enriched and improved. The benefits of Biofeedback Therapy to manage Type 2 Diabetes are,
Stress Reduction
Awareness of physiological processes helps individuals recognise stress responses and develop strategies to manage them effectively. Reduced stress levels lead to hormonal balance and improved glucose metabolism. Additionally, by learning to control physiological responses, individuals can manage anxiety and emotional upheavals with ease.
Pain Relief
Tension relief and relaxation techniques are an integral part of Biofeedback Therapy. This can help individuals tackle chronic pain with a proactive approach.
Sleep Enhancement
Biofeedback Therapy relaxes the mind and gives a reassuring feel that things are in control. This stimulates better sleep and good metabolism.
10. Meditation
Meditation addresses stress and helps reduce stress and promotes overall wellness. It is ideal for one to have a dedicated meditation routine in the mornings. This gives the needed energy boost to take on the day with a positive mindset and helps manage Type 2 Diabetes with ease. It considerably reduces stress and anxiety and promotes good blood sugar control. Meditation can also help in
- Better glycemic control
- Enhanced emotional well-being
- Mindful eating practices
- Uplifted mood and better sleep quality
- Positive mindset to engage in physical activities
Incorporating alternative therapies into your Type 2 Diabetes management can offer a wealth of benefits, including enhanced insulin sensitivity, reduced stress, and feeling a deep connection with your body. Some therapies like Kumbhak can even help reverse Type 2 Diabetes.
Always make it a point to consult your healthcare provider before choosing an alternative therapy for Type 2 Diabetes. Choosing the alternative therapy that suits your lifestyle and routine will enable you to enjoy a good quality of life and a healthier tomorrow.
