Can Chiropractic Care Help Treat Diabetes?

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This is a guest post by: Carolyn Heintz who is a nutritionist, mother, and writer. She is a staff writer/content editor for Life Line Screening and runs her own personal health blog.

The link between chiropractors and successful diabetes treatment has earned nationwide attention as emerging research hints at a positive correlation between the two. A new study shows that chiropractic care may be an effective addition to medical treatments for controlling blood sugar levels in diabetics.

The incidence of diabetes, particularly Type 2 Diabetes, is at an all-time high, and is expected to increase over the next few decades. This is in part due to higher levels of obesity, unhealthy diets, and the inactive lifestyles enjoyed by most people.

In those with Type 2 diabetes, blood sugar levels may often be controlled through diet and exercise. However, many individuals will often require the use of diabetic medications, including insulin. Even with proper nutrition, exercise, and medication, blood sugar levels can fluctuate, resulting in a need to change medication or dosage. If the addition of chiropractic care can keep blood sugar levels stable, there will be less risk of diabetic side effects and damage to the body’s organs and systems due to long-term exposure to high blood glucose levels.

Chiropractic care might be helpful to diabetics if problems in the spine affect blood flow to the pancreas. The pancreas releases insulin in the body which is necessary to regulate proper levels of glucose in the blood. If the pancreas is not receiving enough oxygen and nutrients through proper blood circulation, perhaps this might have an effect on insulin production.

Another way chiropractic treatment might help those who suffer from diabetes is by alleviating pressed nerves on the spine to allow for a regenerated connection between the brain and the systems that are involved in the endocrine system and a body’s metabolism. Also, when the nervous system is free to work properly, the body can work to heal itself better.

A recent study showed that individuals with Type 2 Diabetes who had proper nutrition, engaged in appropriate exercise, and received continuous chiropractic treatment, were able to stabilize their blood glucose levels in the course of a month’s time.

This is incredibly exciting research and with more studies, chiropractic care might be added to a diabetic’s treatment and might reduce or even eliminate the need for the addition of insulin or other medications. If the addition of chiropractic care can keep blood sugar levels low, diabetic side effects might be reduced. This would significantly improve the quality of life of those who suffer with this often debilitating disease.