Managing Diabetes With Exercise and Acupuncture

 

New guidelines on exercise for people with diabetes may help prevent or manage diabetes, improve overall health and boost quality of life for those who follow them. Published this month in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, the recommendations were issued as a joint position statement of the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Diabetes Association.
While research has solidly established the importance of physical activity to health for all individuals, the new guidelines provide specific advice for those whose diabetes may limit vigorous exercise.
The recommendations call for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise spread out at least three days during the week, with no more than two consecutive days between exercise sessions.
“Most people with type 2 diabetes do not have sufficient aerobic capacity to undertake sustained vigorous activity for that weekly duration, and they may have orthopedic or other health limitations,” says Sheri Colberg, Ph.D., faculty member of the American College of Sports Medicine, who chaired the writing group. As a result, the group calls for a lesser regimen of moderate-to-vigorous activity.
Tips for undertaking an exercise plan:
• Combining aerobic and resistance training can maximize health benefits.
• Exercise at a level appropriate for your age and physical condition.
• Take precautions if you have excessive body weight or health-related complications.
• Walking, swimming, cycling, jogging, and many other activities can benefit your health.
Predictions that one in three Americans will have diabetes by 2050 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) are accompanied by estimates that diabetes and prediabetes in the U.S. will cost almost $500 billion a year by 2020 (UnitedHealth Group, Inc.).
“If current trends go unabated, we are in fact doomed to higher health care costs and drastically reduced quality and length of life due to diabetes-related complications,” says Colberg.

Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and massage therapy for the treatment of a wide range of health conditions as well as for overall wellness. To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director.

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