You are in the right place if you are looking for an answer to the above question. Yes, a person with diabetes can use foot massagers. It comes with a lot of benefits for patients with diabetes. Foot massagers are a great way to relax the feet and improve the pain and numbness associated with diabetes.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder in glucose metabolism. Excessive blood glucose levels in people with diabetes damage the blood vessels and peripheral nerves. These patients experience multiple symptoms along the course of the disease, including pain, numbness, tingling sensations, and touch sensitivity. Peripheral neuropathy is the most common complication of long-term uncontrolled diabetes. In this disorder, nerves are damaged due to excessive blood glucose levels and compromised blood supply. [1]
Foot massagers can relieve these symptoms of diabetics. These improve the circulation in the feet and enhance the oxygenation of tissues. Meanwhile, a foot massager may help relieve stress and pains in the feet. Using a foot massager is an excellent idea for the health and well-being of feet.
Table of Contents
What is a Foot Massager?
A massager is a mechanical rubbing machine. It comes in various forms, each with different specifications and the same purpose-foot massage. A foot massager is a great device for the health and well-being of feet, especially for patients with chronic diabetes. Diabetes damage the nerves and blood vessels in the feet, and causes pain, numbness, and pricking needle sensations. Foot massager increases blood circulation and improves the nerve oxygenation in the feet. It improves the painful symptoms of diabetic neuropathy and prevents further damage.
Advantages of a Foot Massager
Diabetics are more prone to peripheral neuropathy. They often feel pain, numbness, tingling, and pricking needle sensations in their feet. A foot massager can help relieve all these symptoms. It has a lot of benefits for aching feet in diabetics. Inflammations are more common in diabetics. Lower extremity inflammations, especially in the feet, can impair mobility and cause pain in routine walking. A foot massager relieves muscle cramps and swelling. It is performed regularly and prevents the foot from inflammation-related nerve damage and its related symptoms. Specific benefits of using a foot massager are discussed briefly: [2]
Improve Circulation
A foot massager is very effective in improving the circulation of the feet. As diabetics are more prone to peripheral arterial disease, stroke, and heart attack, a foot massager can help immensely.
In peripheral arterial disease, plaques are formed around blood vessels, and blood supply to the distal segment of the limb is reduced. Furthermore, high glucose level also damages the small blood vessels in the toes and fingers of the feet. A compromised blood supply leads to nerve damage. A foot massage regulates the blood supply and improves the oxygenation and nutrition of nerves. It also enhances the sensation of the feet and boosts wound healing. Thus, a foot massage is of great help in diabetes-related foot symptoms. [3]
Raises nerve sensitivity
In diabetics, nerve sensations are reduced due to damaged nerves in long-term peripheral neuropathy. This damage puts the diabetics at greater risk of wear and tear. As the sensations are reduced, diabetics don’t feel pain, and little traumas go unnoticed. These can result in major wounds due to reduced blood circulation and poor healing mechanisms. Inflammation also impairs nerve sensitivity. Therefore, it is essential to maintain the sensitivity of feet in diabetics.
As a foot massager can significantly help in this regard, regular massage improves circulation and maintains nerve sensations. It also boosts wound healing and prevents foot amputation in later stages.
Relieve Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Related Pain
Diabetes-related nerve damage is more common in diabetics. It may cause pain, discomfort, pinching, burning, and tingling in the affected areas. Feet are often the first organs to experience these symptoms. Peripheral neuropathy also results in cramps and weakness in the muscle, which also cause pain. A regular foot massage is beneficial in relieving peripheral neuropathy-related pain. It improves nerve health and sensation in the feet. A foot massager boosts the circulation in muscles and relieves inflammations and cramps. [4]
Risks of Using a Foot Massager for Diabetic Neuropathy:
Although foot massagers are generally safe for diabetics and have no potential risks, it is important to take certain precautions. Diabetics are more prone to wounds, sores, or scratches that may go unnoticed due to reduced pain sensations. Therefore, frequent foot examination is essential. If a foot massager is used on the open wound or nerve-damaged areas, it may aggregate the symptoms.
In this case, you should consult a specialist who can determine your benefits and risks. Excessive massage should be avoided as heat produced by the massager can also damage the open wound and delay its healing.
Can Diabetics Use Foot Massagers?
The answer is Yes. Using a foot massager has a lot of benefits for diabetics. It improves blood circulation and enhances tissue oxygenation and nutrition. It also improves nerve sensations and reduces neuropathy-related pain and burning sensations.
Tips for Using Foot Massagers with Diabetes
A foot massager can help with pain and discomfort in the feet. It should be used properly after careful examination of the feet. Certain tips may help use a foot massager:
Use Soothing Therapeutic Oil
Soothing oils such as lavender or vanilla can be applied to the feet. These oils create a smooth gliding surface to improve the massage experience. These also prevent unnecessary rubbing of feet.
Slowly Bring up the Speed
Foot massager should be used at a low speed for a few minutes. It improves circulation and prevents sudden pressure on the feet. Increase the speed slowly in a few steps. Avoid using a foot massager at high speed for the first time as the heat produced by the machine can damage the feet, especially with an open wound or sores.
Control the Foot Bath Time
Foot bath spa massager is more relaxing and gives you the feeling of a spa massage. A single session of foot bath should be no longer than 15-20 minutes. Dry the feet thoroughly after a foot bath and apply a moisturizer.
Know your Blood Sugar Level
Having a foot massage may not affect your blood sugar level, but monitoring your glucose frequently is a good practice. As for diabetics, you may experience ups and downs more often. When the blood sugar reading is at its peak, you will know it is not a proper time to use the massager.
FAQ
Is Revitive Good for Diabetics?
Revitive is a great device for people with diabetes. It is designed to improve blood circulation and prevent peripheral arterial disease in diabetics. It effectively reduces neuropathic pain and relieves burning sensations associated with diabetic neuropathy.
Foot Spa and Foot Massage, which one is better for Diabetics?
Foot massage is better for diabetics as it improves blood circulation and relieves neuropathy-related pain symptoms. A foot spa is not a better choice due to certain consequences. Diabetics are more prone to foot injuries due to reduced sensation. Small wounds from clipping and rubbing nails may go unnoticed. The wounds can lead to bigger infections if ignored. Therefore, foot spas should either be avoided or considered with professional care.
Manual Massage and Automatic Massage, which one is better for Diabetics?
Manual massage is better for diabetics as it has more benefits than risks. It improves blood circulation and nerve sensitivity over time. An automatic massager can damage the feet if used excessively as the heat waves can damage the nerves and open wounds.
Traditional Massage and Modern Massage, which one is better for Diabetic:
Both traditional and modern massage has distinct benefits. Typically, Traditional foot massage is more natural and improves the symptoms in diabetics. In contrast, modern massage using a foot massager can greatly help chronic symptoms. However, modern feet massager has certain risks, such as they can damage the feet with heat, and unprofessional usage may also damage the nerves and open wounds. Frequent foot examination is recommended for using a foot massager.
Final Thoughts
A foot massager is an ideal way to relieve diabetes-associated foot pain and discomfort. It improves blood circulation and nerve sensitivity in the feet. It improves the painful symptoms of diabetic neuropathy and prevents further damage. However, frequent foot examinations are recommended while using a foot massager to avoid damage to the feet. [5]
References and citations:
[1] Chiles, N. S., Phillips, C. L., Volpato, S., Bandinelli, S., Ferrucci, L., Guralnik, J. M., & Patel, K. V. (2014). Diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and lower-extremity function. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, 28(1), 91–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2013.08.007
[2] Ezzo, J., Donner, T., Nickols, D., & Cox, M. (2001). Is Massage Useful in the Management of Diabetes? A Systematic Review. Diabetes Spectrum, 14(4), 218–224. https://doi.org/10.2337/diaspect.14.4.218
[3] Chatchawan, U., Jarasrungsichol, K., & Yamauchi, J. (2020). Immediate Effects of Self-Thai Foot Massage on Skin Blood Flow, Skin Temperature, and Range of Motion of the Foot and Ankle in Type 2 Diabetic Patients. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 26(6), 491–500. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2019.0328
[4] Pafili, K., & Papanas, N. (2022, January 1). Chapter 17 – Treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy: technologies, exercise, and alternative treatments (M. Tavakoli, Ed.). ScienceDirect; Elsevier. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128206690000086
[5] Tütün Yümin, E., Şimşek, T. T., Sertel, M., Ankaralı, H., & Yumin, M. (2017). The effect of foot plantar massage on balance and functional reach in patients with type II diabetes. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 33(2), 115–123. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2016.1271849
