ing some reports of headaches, dizziness, anxiety and false
memories. However, overall, it is a safe practice, especially
if you ensure your hypnotist is certified.
Acupressure
What is it? Similar in principle to acupuncture, acupres-
sure involves applying physical pressure to “acupuncture
points” around the body. Pressure is usually applied by
hand, elbow or other equipment.
What happens? During an acupressure session, your
acupressure specialist will apply light pressure to parts of
your body, such as your knees, feet and hands.
What are the benefits? Several pressure points can help
improve organ activity, blood circulation and blood sugar
metabolism. It has also been found to help control fast-
ing blood sugar and increase levels of insulin in people
with diabetes.
Is it safe? Acupressure is considered a safe practice, but
it must be performed with the right amounts of pressure
to avoid bruising.
Qigong
What is it? Qigong is a set of body postures and movements
combined with controlled breathing and meditation. The
aim is to manage one’s life energy —or “qi,” as it is known
by the Chinese.
What are the benefits? Although qigong has little support
in contemporary medicine, research has shown it to have
significant positive effects on fasting blood sugar, HbA1c,
postprandial blood glucose and other diabetes indicators.
Is it safe? Qigong is safe, but due to its many forms and
intricacies, it can be daunting for beginners. It is advisable
to find a teacher who can take you through the various
moves and help you perfect them.
Mindfulness
What is it? Mindfulness involves bringing your concentra-
tion and attention to the present—rather than thinking
about the past or future. The practice is often used to
manage the symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety.
What are the benefits? According to the Centers for Dis-
ease Control and Prevention (CDC), increases in depres-
sion, stress and anxiety are associated with increases in
blood sugar. Given the stress that can come from learning
to managing diabetes, practicing mindfulness can help
you power through any negative emotions that may arise.
Is it safe? Mindfulness seems harmless, but there have been
some reports of it leading to panic and depression, particularly
in those who have a history of trauma. To learn more about the
practice and if it is safe for you, consider enrolling in a class first.Ayurveda
What is it? Developed thousands of years ago in India,
Ayurveda—also referred to as “Mother of All Healing”—
is a method of healing based on the premise that good
health stems from a balance between the mind, body
and spirit. Ayurveda employs the use of massage, diet,
herbs, exercise and aromatherapy to keep this balance
and maintain good health.
What are the benefits? Oral Ayurvedic body purification
therapy has been found to effectively control fasting blood
sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes.
Is it safe? While Ayurveda practices such as meditation
and yoga are safe, herbal medicines may trigger adverse side
effects. In some cases, Ayurveda herbs have been known
to contain high levels of heavy metals that are harmful to
the body. For this reason, it is essential that you consult a
doctor before you begin taking any herbal medication.Finding the needle in the haystack
Finding the complementary or alternative therapy that is
right for you can feel like finding a needle in a haystack.
To help, here is a quick guide to the benefits of each to get
you started in your search.Before settling on any alternative therapy, be sure to
weigh its proposed benefits with its potential side effects.
Preferably, seek counsel from your doctor before begin-
ning any therapy to determine if it can play an effective
role in your diabetes self-management. While complementary
therapies are
designed to be used
in addition to
orthodox medicine,
alternative
therapies tend to
be used instead
of conventional
treatment.
THERAPY BENEFITS
Acupuncture Reduces blood sugar
Lowers insulin resistance
Heals neuropathy
Hypnosis Helps with lifestyle changes
Aids relaxation
Acupressure Reduces blood sugar
Lowers insulin resistance
Qigong Improves blood sugar and postprandial blood glucose
Mindfulness Helps manage stress and anxiety
Betters mood
Ayurveda Improves fasting blood sugarDiabetesSelfManagement.com 29