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I have diabetes. Can I still go to a spa?
Of course you can, as long as you take sensible precautions.
Exercise can help people with type-2 diabetes to make more efficient use of their naturally produced insulin. Massage can significantly increase serum insulin action, thereby decreasing blood glucose levels in people with type-1 diabetes. So there may be benefits to both for you as part of a spa visit.
Some studies have also suggested that regular massage may help normalise blood glucose, and reduce anxiety, headaches, depression, work stress and anger. However, further studies are needed to clarify the benefits that massage may have as a complementary treatment for diabetes. Although there is no evidence that massage itself is harmful or contraindicated for people with diabetes, some aspects of your condition mean that you should plan your massage carefully to prevent any adverse effects.
Experts suggest that people with diabetes follow these common-sense precautions when planning a massage:
* As with exercise, don't schedule a massage during the peak of insulin activity. If you inject intermediate-acting insulin at breakfast, about eight hours later in mid-afternoon would be a good time for a massage. If you use a rapid-acting or short-acting insulin, a good time for a massage would be anywhere from one to three hours after injection.
* If you are taking insulin or sulfonyurea treatment, monitor your blood glucose levels carefully before and after massage to watch for decreases. If your pre-massage blood glucose levels are low or normal (<120 mg/dl), you may want to eat something before your massage. Use your post-treatment blood glucose level, taken immediately after massage, as an indicator as to whether the amount you ate was appropriate. If your pre-massage blood glucose levels are high enough to use supplemental insulin, you may want to use a less-than-usual amount of insulin before massage. If you are starting regular massage, monitor your blood glucose three to four times a day (first thing, before lunch, before dinner, and before bedtime) to see whether the massage is having an impact on your blood glucose levels and whether you need to change your level of medication.
* Most of the identified research on massage and diabetes, which found no adverse effects, looked at Swedish massage techniques. So use a practitioner who is trained in these techniques and accredited with a professional association.
* When you book your treatment, ask to speak to your therapist. Let them know whether you use insulin and when and where you normally inject it. If you have diabetes, you may want to talk to your doctor or healthcare team before using massage therapy, even for relaxation purposes. There is a theoretical risk that massage for diabetes may induce hypoglycaemia in insulin-using patients as a result of drop in blood glucose levels.
However, no studies have yet reported any adverse effects from Swedish massage or acupressure. So, take care, and enjoy your spa treatments.
See also:
* What's the difference between all these massages?
* What's the difference between an Indian head massage and Shiatsu head massage?
* Can I have complementary therapies at a spa?
References
Ezzo, J., Donner, T., Nickols, D., Cox, M. Is massage useful in the management of diabetes: a systematic review. Diabetes Spectrum, 2001;14(4): 218-225. Full text: http://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/full/14/4/218 [Accessed July 2006]
CRD (Centre for Reviews and Dissemination). 2004. Is massage useful in the management of diabetes: a systematic review. DARE abstract on Ezzo et al 2001 paper. http://nhscrd.york.ac.uk/online/dare/20025004.htm
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