According to the centers for disease control, almost 26 million children and adults are living with diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, exercise can help maintain body strength and maintain a healthy body weight. In type 2 diabetes, exercise can help with weight management and reducing insulin resistance which allows for much better control of blood sugar levels.

Diabetes can result in such conditions as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease, neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, amputations, skin problems and more.

HOW CAN A PHYSICAL THERAPIST HELP?

• Prescribe and supervise an individualized aerobic exercise plan.
• Exercise is an important part of managing diabetes, and can lower your need for medications, and risk of heart disease and stroke. Physical therapists can design exercise programs to help you achieve health safely.
• Help you manage exercise precautions.
• A physical therapist can safely evaluate and accommodate for any considerations such as blood sugar levels, eye site problems, foot ulcers or numbness, and/or use of an assistive walking device.
• Treat Complications.
• When diabetes isn’t managed well, it can lead to problems, often in the legs such as skin breakdowns, cramping, numbness, pain, etc. A physical therapist can check sensation in your feet and develop a plan to protect them, decrease cramping, and improve walking ability.

Our mission is to restore every patient to a maximum level of health and function so that they not only can enjoy a very active lifestyle but can also avoid future re-injury. We also passionately believe that patients should have a great experience! Physical therapy should be fun and educational. Our patient’s come in as strangers and leave friends!