Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high because their insulin production is compromised. Many people have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes.  This is sometimes known as pre-diabetes and increases the risk of full-blown diabetes developing.  It’s very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it will get progressively worse if left untreated and other secondary symptoms can occur too.   

There are 2 main types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin and Type 2 diabetes where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells do not react to insulin.  Type 2 diabetes is far more common than Type 1. In the UK, around 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2.  The main symptoms of diabetes include feeling very thirsty, peeing more frequently than usual, particularly at night, feeling very tired, weight loss and loss of muscle bulk, cuts or wounds that heal slowly, blurred vision.

In Five Element Acupuncture, all the elements are involved in the production of hormones and their flow around the body so the proper working of the delicate endocrinal system which governs everything from our digestion to our emotional well being requires balance at every level.

It is recognized that Type 2 diabetes can be avoided, and to some extent managed, through healthy eating, regular exercise and achieving a healthy body weight.  In the first instance acupuncture can help with supporting the patient make better choices about their diet and lifestyle: as the patient becomes more harmonious in mind, body and spirit they will be better able to listen to the natural rhythms of their body and find a more balanced perspective on their lifestyle.