What Are the Uses of Acupuncture for Diabetes?

Among the uses of acupuncture for diabetes are the reduction of blood sugar, appetite and excessive thirst, as well as a reduction in unhealthy cholesterol. Individuals who use this alternate therapy may also experience a reversal of leg atherosclerosis as well as improved blood circulation, overall. Researchers studying the uses of acupuncture for diabetes have found that diabetic patients who use acupuncture have decreased incidents of secondary illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease.

There are several different types of acupuncture that can be used to treat a variety of illnesses including diabetes. Included in the different types are Chinese acupuncture, Korean acupuncture, myofacial acupuncture and auricular acupuncture. A common technique in each of these types involves the insertion of needles into the skin at different parts of the body to relieve pain and stimulate different organs and bodily systems. Less common is a type of acupuncture known as electroacupuncture, which also uses needles though they may or may not be inserted in the skin. Several different types of acupuncture for diabetes are believed to be beneficial in treating diabetic symptoms and, in some cases, reversing the effects of diabetes.

The risks of acupuncture for diabetes are very few. Pregnant women and those who experience elevated levels of anxiety about the insertion of needles are among those most likely to experience side effects of acupuncture, which may include nausea and lightheadedness. While acupuncture is considered safe for most individuals, doctors often warn against its use in pregnant women, as certain points in the body can cause adverse affects when stimulated during pregnancy.

Individuals who use acupuncture for diabetes have been known to immediately experience drops in high blood glucose and high cholesterol. As a result of this, marked declines in blood pressure have also been noted immediately after acupuncture therapy sessions. Researchers have found that those who experience the greatest improvements by using acupuncture for diabetes are those who have been recently diagnosed with the illness or who do not have severe cases of diabetes.

Other physical symptoms of diabetes have also been lessened by using acupuncture for diabetes. A tendency to experience excessive thirst and urine output is common in diabetic sufferers and has been successfully alleviated in some through the use of acupuncture. Common symptoms such as cholesterol buildup and hardening in the leg arteries, known as atherosclerosis, can also be reduced or alleviated by using this alternative treatment for diabetes. Acupuncture may also assist with appetite control, which leads to healthy weight loss in overweight diabetic patients.

Many diabetic patients experience an onset of secondary illnesses and conditions, which are triggered by poor organ functioning and circulation as well as high cholesterol. One such illness is cardiovascular disease, which can be fatal. Patients who have used acupuncture for diabetes, however, have fewer incidents of this illness, as acupuncture also lowers high cholesterol and improves blood circulation and other organ functions throughout the body. Improvements in blood circulation also contribute to faster healing phases for wounds and ulcers in diabetic patients.