Diabetes and the feet

Diabetes affects the feet in a few different ways. The feet are usually one of the first areas of the body to have a diabetic complication such as peripheral neuropathy. This is a condition whereby the sensory nerves can no longer perceive normal sensations, including the sensation of pain. If the body can’t feel pain then there is no immediate reaction to tell that there is something wrong such as standing on a prickle or shard of glass! If you don’t know there is something wrong, you aren’t going to do anything about fixing it!

A podiatrist can help a person with diabetes find out what they can and can’t feel in their feet by a few basic tests. A podiatrist will also help by checking the vascular status of the feet, check the skin for lesions, do various muscle and joint tests and give footwear advice. Depending on the testing outcomes, various treatments may be recommended. The diabetes council of Australia recommends that those diagnosed with diabetes have their feet checked by a podiatrist annually and more often if clinically necessary.

What is Diabetes, three types and the symptoms
 
Diabetes is a metabolism disorder.  When we eat our body breaks our food down into energy known as glucose.  Glucose is a form of sugar in our bloodstream and can't enter our cells without insulin being present.  A diabetic either doesn't produce enough insulin or not at all.
 
Three types of Diabetes
 
Type 1 - You produce no insulin
 
Type 2 - You do not produce enough insulin or your insulin is not working properly
 
Gestational Diabetes - Develop diabetes during pregnancy
 
Diabetes Symptoms
 
Type 1
 
Frequent urination
Excessive thirst
Extreme hunger
Unusual weight loss
Increased fatigue
Irritability
Blurry vision
 
Type 2
 
Blurry vision
Cuts and sores slow to heal
Itchy skin, yeast infection
Increased thirst
Dry mouth
Need to urinate often
Leg pain
 
Risk factors for Gestational Diabetes
 
Older than 35
Obese
Have already given birth to a large baby
Have given birth to a baby with abnormalities
Have experienced a still birth late in pregnancy
 
Make sure you keep yourself in check.
 
In good Health
 
Hamish

I’m a diabetic is massage suitable for me?

Diabetes itself is not contraindicated for massage however the conditions caused by diabetes are.

There has been some research on whether massage can lower blood sugar levels during a massage.

One article I read of a clinic in the US has found that it can lower your glucose levels.

They tested their diabetic’s clients before and after a massage and found that the levels of glucose were lower than before a massage. However there were many other factors contributing to this result.

For example how long had it been since they ate? Had their insulin injection? ect..

So what does this mean when having a massage?

• Being aware that your glucose level may drop.
•  Having a therapist who is aware of your condition and the signs to look for.

Depending on your stage and the condition of your body will depend if massage is suitable. Diabetes itself is not contraindicated for massage however the conditions caused by diabetes are.

For example blood vessels can become weak in a diabetic so massage which improves blood flow can create more strain on the vessels. A diabetic’s sense of pain is less especially in the peripherals. This would make it hard to know if the massage is too deep and actually causing you more damage.

However massage is great for relaxation and stress management. Which is an important factor in staying healthy with diabetes.

So should you have a massage if you are diabetic?

Firstly consult with your doctor and secondly make sure the massage therapist you are seeing is qualified and has an understanding of diabetes.

Julie Brookes

OSTEOPATHY AND DIABETES

SUMMARY

We are all aware of the increase in Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus – NIDDM) in Australia. However, there are many aspects to lifestyle that can help prevent or better manage this form of diabetes. 

One of the important aspects of management and prevention of NIDDM revolves around glucose metabolism by the body. The more that can be done to return the body to its most efficient metabolism, the better the management of NIDDM will be. Here are some ways you can help your body with its glucose metabolism:

1. Cardio vascular fitness

The benefits of cardio vascular fitness are well documented. Lower blood pressure, increased energy, lower body fat, improved immune function etc. All these aspects improve the metabolism which in turn helps with diabetes management.

2. Stretching and flexibility

One of the issues with NIDDM is the effect of poor glucose metabolism on nervous and vascular tissue. The more a person can do keep mobility and blood flow through the peripheral areas of the body, the more you assist body with fluid dynamics in these areas.

3. Strength Training

It has been shown that weight training has a significant beneficial effect on helping to regulate the metabolism of the body. This is very important for  the person with NIDDM. It assists with increasing metabolism and glucose uptake by the body.

4. Diet

Control of glucose can be assisted with regular meals spread throughout the day with low GI carbohydrates such as wholegrain bread, pasta, porridge, sweat potato and basmati rice. The combination of low GI and frequent meals places less fluctuation in the bodies glucose levels.

5. Stress Management

One of the most underrated but important aspects of regulating the systems of the body is through stress management. A broad health routine will often involve “nothing time”. This is the sweet time where the mind gets a little taste of stillness and lets out a big sigh as the day to day activities fade away and we the body has a chance to “re-set” itself. A recent article published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2006 showed that stress hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenalin aggravate insulin and glucose levels. Reducing these hormones through stress management techniques such as meditation helps to balance glucose and insulin in the blood.

SO WHAT CAN I DO?

Osteopathy is constantly looking to help bring the body back to its most efficient balanced state. Start gentle with a little time given to the above areas. If you are not sure, seek out some help. The benefits will become very tangible as the above areas all mix in together and you find your health rises to levels you didn’t think possible.

Dr Andrew Urbahn

Lifestyle and dietary factors are vitally important in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. If overweight, weight loss is a key goal for anyone with, or at risk of diabetes. Going hand in hand with this is the importance of exercise. Exercise helps to maintain a healthy weight, improves insulin uti lisation and blood glucose levels and also reduces cardiovascular risk factors associated with the condition. If a smoker, quitting should be the absolute highest priority as smoking is strongly implicated in the causation and complication of diabetes.

A healthy diet high in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and fibre is also essential in diabetes prevention and treatment. The diet should include an abundance of fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains and low GI carbohydrates, low fat meat and dairy products and fish, nuts and legumes. Foods high in saturated fats, refined sugar, salt and alcohol should be minimised or avoided. Also the diet must be balanced to promote an ideal body weight and composition.

Finally, there is a lot of exciting research emerging regarding the role of nutritional and herbal medicine in the management and prevention of diabetes. Amongst many more, some nutritional supplements commonly included in a naturopathic diabetes program include magnesium, chromium, vanadium and fish oils. Herbal medicine is also very useful and may include herbs such as fenugreek, gymnema and panax ginseng.

For specific dietary and exercise advice, body composition assessment, assistance with weight loss or professionally prescribed natural medicines please consult your Active Living healthcare practitioner.

Vanessa Nunn

BHthSci, AssDipHthSci, ANTA accredited

Naturopath

Is Your Business a Diabetic?

While National Diabetes Awareness Week is next month, it seems that there’s no program to raise awareness of some of the ‘diseases’ that affect thousands of businesses around Australia!  I thought I’d put my spin on one of them - ‘business diabetes’...

Let’s assume that for a business, glucose is cashflow and insulin is advertising. 

Some businesses have the ability to ‘regulate’ their cashflow(glucose) without too much intervention from the owner/management.  That is, they seem to attract enough prospective customers and convert them into sales, without massive injections of advertising(insulin).

There are businesses however, that seem to need constant injections of advertising to ensure they ‘take up’ enough cash from customers for survival.  This is akin to human diabetes where the body doesn’t take up enough glucose, due to a lack of or resistance to insulin.

Why?

One common cause is the belief or understanding that “Advertising = Marketing”.  Yes, advertising is part of marketing, but it’s not the ONLY part.  Some important elements of a good marketing plan are:

·         How you deliver your product or service – from answering the phone to delivering your product to handling complaints.

·         The way you physically present your business – your logo, colour scheme, staff uniforms, building and vehicle signage, stationery etc

·         The way you represent your business – this includes what your staff say about the business to others, your scripts, networking activities, PR etc

·         And finally, how well you leverage your contacts – what alliances do you have, how big is your database and who can help you build it, who else can promote your business on your behalf

The best part about these is they need cost very little, or nothing at all.  The other great thing is that they can actually reduce a businesses’ dependence on advertising, even to the point where advertising is no longer required.

That would be like a diabetic no longer needing insulin or medication!

And just like diabetes, there’s some simple tests you can do to see if your business is ‘dependent’ on advertising.  Just give me a call – I’d be glad to help.

• Boost your immunity this winter.
• Surviving the ‘Economic Winter
• SPRING CLEAN YOURSELF BEFORE THE WINTER BLUES SET IN
• Greg 61 years old "Has lost over 35kg and now off to trek Antarctica in December 2010"
• Beating the Winter Chills / Blues
• Soup, The Winter Dish.
• A psychologist can help when you cant do it on your own
• Osteopathy and Foot Pain

Boost your immunity this winter.

Lymphatic Drainage massage is a light massage that works on increasing the flow of lymph around the body, clearing the lymph nodes and detoxifying your system.

Lymphatic Massage increases your lymph flow through the heart from 2 litres in 24 hours to 15-30 litres in a 24 hour period.

You have approximately 10 litres of lymph fluid in your body.

So you can see how beneficial it is for detoxifying.

The benefits of Lymphatic Drainage Massage to the immune system:

Immune System:

The passage of Lymph in the lymph nodes stimulates the immune system.

According to research by Bruno Chikly the body produces 30% more immuno competent cells post lymphatic drainage massage.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage also benefits the Nervous system by reducing pain and has an anti inflammatory effect.

It also activates lymph circulation reducing fluid and helps to eliminate fluid from the body. Again detoxifying and cleansing.

A full Lymphatic Drainage massage takes 90 minutes. It is a relaxing light massage.

Lesley is our Lymphatic Drainage specialist. She is available every Tuesday. Book in for your Massage today and beat this winters colds and flues.

Surviving the ‘Economic Winter’

Think about the last couple of years from an economic sense.  If you’re like most people on the Sunshine Coast, you would have noticed that we’ve been through some pretty tough financial times!

Economies, like the weather, go through ‘seasons’ or cycles.  Think about the humble farmer – in spring, he sows the seed that grows and is harvested in summer.  Come autumn, it’s time to store some grain for next spring’s planting and put hay aside to feed stock during winter.

Similarly, one of the keys to surviving these ‘economic winters’ is to put into place strategies that will carry you through until the sun comes out again.

This is the time to ‘prune’ – trim expenses, replan budgets and reorganise resources, whether it’s your home finances or those of your business.  The problem for many is that while they’re in summer (boom times) they’re so busy having a good time that when winter does roll around (and it does) they’re unprepared for some tougher times.

So, how DO you survive the economic winter?

First, examine your existing product or service in terms of the current marketplace. Is it time to scrap it for something new your customers want or something to which you can add value? In this economy, you are going to have to sell your way into prosperity, and you should do it with the best products and services possible to compete against everyone else who will be cutting their prices.

Next, look at your marketing. In spring and summer, you can sell on themes like “greed” and “desire.” In autumn and winter, you need to focus on “fear” and “needs.”

Third, track your cash flow very carefully. Eliminate extras. And focus on top-line growth. Again, strong sales will be the key to prosperity.

Finally, focus on keeping your existing customers. It is always more expensive to buy new customers than to sell to an existing customer base, and far less profitable short term. So go out and talk to your customers, find out what they want to buy and sell it to them. Not at a discount, but as an added value to what you already do.

The financial world may be in turmoil, but it is certainly not coming to an end. So ignore those who say the “sky is falling” and learn from those who have actually made money in good times and in bad so you can see through the media clutter and still make a profit.

Your financial winter will be less bitter – and your financial spring will be a lot more green – if you do.

SPRING CLEAN YOURSELF BEFORE THE WINTER BLUES SET IN!

Winter is a time when we can find it harder to get out of bed.  It’s darker in the mornings, colder and we often feel less motivated and tend to feel like “hibernating”!   It can also be a time when we get into bad habits, or let our good ones slide.  So, rather than let this happen, why not do a spring clean now so you can breeze through winter and set yourself for an even more magnificent spring!  So, take stock of where you are now.  Where are you in relation to your goals?  How is your mindset?  Are you feeling positive or filled with doubts, negative thoughts or unmotivated states?  How are your relationships, with yourself and others?  Do you get out of bed feeling happy, motivated and ready to tackle whatever the day brings?  Perhaps not!   What are you thinking and what are you doing?   Is everything in balance or are you feeling out of sorts?  Perhaps you need an upgrade of your “mental software”, a spring clean!    Did you know we become what we think about all day long?   Are you creating things you don’t want in your life?

If you were given a magic wand what would you like to change in your life?  What is preventing you from making those changes now?   Remember, doing the same thing day in and day out and expecting a different result is called insanity!  So, if our results are determined by our actions which start with our thoughts, don’t you think a great starting place is with the mind?  To make it easier for you, I am offering a special “winter clean” package for all Active Living clients.   When you book your initial consultation you will pay for one hour and receive one and a half hours consultation.  Imagine improving the results you get in your life!   Did you know that the techniques of Neuro Linguistic Programme are based on what works and is founded on the study of excellence.   What could you create with some upgraded software?  So, whether you need help with focus, goal setting,  changing behaviours, thoughts, stepping up at work  or help with relationships and communication with self or others, then call Mandy Napier NOW on 0408 666 176 or email her on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Angela’s Client Story

Client Story: I wanted to share a story of a client I have been working with since December 2009. His name is Greg 61 yrs old

“Has lost over 35kg and now off to trek Antarctica in December 2010”

When did you 1st make the decision to make changes and why?

June 2008 found it difficult getting in and out of dingy from the back of a house-boat as this had been an easy exercise in the past I felt I had to do something.

1st Visited Sally Ann Livock dietitan in _Aug ‘08____ weighing _137kgs___.

Had been to Weightwatchers, dieticians etc for a number of years and had not been successful.  What changed was meeting Sally and working the 80/20 rule.

How you applied the 80/20 rule:

Is pretty simple when you think about it, Sally asked for 100% commitment on the programme for 80% of the time and I could have 20% to myself.

Then I Started walking:

First two months 30 minutes, five times a week – Second two months 40 minutes, five times a week – Third two months 50 minutes, five times a week.  Since then now walk regularly 4 – 6 kilometres four – five times a week and play 18 holes of golf once a week.

This programme gave me a net loss of 20 kilograms, however by November 2009 hit a plateau and had not lost any weight for two months, even though applied the 80/20 rule and continued with the exercise programme.

Hit a plateau for several months and Sally suggested I see Angela:

At first sceptical however, five months into the new programme the results speak for themselves.

Since with Angela and seeing Sally for dietary adjustments for 5 months I have lost an additional 15kg, started to do some core exercises and other upper body strength work 2 x 30min.

Recently Booked trip to Antarctica for Dec 2010:

Long term goals: 97kgs_

Biggest piece of advice for people:

If you choose to start a programme make sure that you want to be successful and set yourself a time period that is relevant to the amount you wish to lose.  In my case that was two years and this I will achieve.

Remember it took quite a number of months to put this extra weight on so it will take some time to take it off but don’t despair if you want it to happen it will.

Beating the Winter Chills / Blues

Winter…….. what winter???? We live on the Sunshine Coast in an eternal summer.

Well that was my 1st thought as winters when I lived in London came flooding back to me…. (In particular when I took a client Bruce out running around Regents park in snow!). But then at 4 degrees this morning I did feel cold and found myself rugging up and it got me looking for answers as to why do so many of us in Australia put on weight over the winter and how can we avoid this???

In my search I found some interesting data on Obesity (NB: this does not include those who are overweight). Australia, USA and even Mexico all relatively warm climate countries have obesity rates of 20-30% yet Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Finland only have obesity rates of 7- 12%. So how do these countries who have winter nearly all year round have half as many obese people as us??!! And what is even more interesting is that a country like Iceland which has a lot bleaker winters than Australia has really low depression rates.

Whilst there are a lot of explanations one thing I found interesting is that the staple Icelandic diet is Fish. They eat fresh fish full of omega 3’s all year round.

As I continued to search for the answer as to why we put on weight I was told: it is too dark when we get home from work, the colder weather increases my appetite etc etc. But after a while the answer came to me……………..  the reason we put on weight is because we let ourselves put on weight. Whilst some things may be a little more difficult or require more planning or organization ultimately you have control to ensure you stay in shape over the winter. And if you want to you will.

Some tips which may help:

• Train indoors with us and EAT FISH J
• Find a training buddy to exercise with in the dark
• Try exercising in the middle of the day (great also for your dose of vit D)
• Exercise indoors at home ( we can write you an effective  home exercise program)

·         Eat warm or hot food when possible (soups and stews are great over winter)

·         Decrease caffeine consumption (herbal teas or hot lemon drinks keep you warm)

·         Avoid alcohol. Alcohol dilates the blood vessels and increases heat loss.

• Those with Arthritis might like to use heat packs to get going, Asthmatics need to make sure to carry their ventolin.

And when you do exercise outside:

Dress in layers

Get a generous warm-up before your workout

Get back into a warm environment as soon as possible

Make sure you keep hydrated

If you would like a consultation or some training with Angela she can be reached on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Private Health Rebates Available

                                             
                                                               kJ         Carbs              Protein                 Soduim
 
In good health.
 
Hamish

A psychologist can help when you cant do it on your own

Sometimes you may face overwhelming feelings or a serious illness. If this is the case, a psychologist can help.

When you reach a point in your life when you want professional help, you want to talk to someone you trust and feel comfortable with. A good friend can listen, but a psychologist has the skills and professional training to help you learn to manage when you're overwhelmed.

Psychology has been shown to successfully treat depression, anxiety and other emotional health issues.

Psychologists are trained to help people cope more effectively with life problems, using techniques based on best available research as well as their clinical skills and experience. Psychologists take into account the person's unique values, goals and circumstances.

A psychologist can help you to identify your problems and then figure out ways to best cope with them; to change contributing behaviours or habits; or to find constructive ways to deal with a situation that is beyond your control. In other words, a psychologist can improve both your physical and mental well-being.

It's time to talk to a psychologist when...

· you want to prevent life's stressors from threatening your physical health.

· you want to build your confidence and resilience to meet challenges head-on.

· you want to gain a mental edge to be your best at your job and with your family.

· you or someone in your family has been diagnosed with a chronic illness.

· you're overwhelmed and can't handle the problem yourself.

I can provide a safe, confidential environment for exploring personal problems and I develop an individual treatment plan specifically designed to meet the client's needs and goals.  Keep me in mind when you or someone you know is dealing with any of the following issues or perhaps just wants a safe place to talk!

Emotional Issues:
Dealing with and overcoming depression
Learning to manage and minimize panic attacks
Managing anger
Overcoming phobias
Dealing with the loss of a loved one

Self Improvement:
Assertiveness Training
Overcoming Shyness/Increasing social skills
Goal Setting
Communication skills building
Breaking bad habits/addiction

Relationship Issues:
Improving relationships at work
Maintaining a healthy relationship with significant other
Making peace with your family
Creating a new family or support network

Osteopathy and Foot Pain

Foot pain is a common complaint that creates discomfort in athletes, pregnant mums, active kids and the elderly. There are many causes of foot pain. The key to treatment is to identify the proper cause so a management plan can be developed to heal the injured tissues.

WHAT CAUSES FOOT PAIN

There are many structures of the foot that can cause pain. Some of the most common include the outer ligaments of the ankle called the lateral deltoid ligament. These are commonly strained with a “roll type injury”. But these ligaments can also be irritated through repetitive strain due to things like inappropriate running shoes.

The bottom of the foot can also be a site of pain. The plantar fascia is a strong band of connective tissue that runs from the heel to the forefoot. The term “plantar fasciitis” describes this painful condition. It too is often caused through the incorrect mechanical function of the foot.

There are also nerves at the ball of the foot that can become compressed if they are not well cushioned – Morton’s Neuroma.

There are certain bones of the foot that are also prone to arthritic change. As the cartilage wears on the joint surface, pain can be caused as the bony joint surface becomes irritated.

There are many conditions also of the leg that affect foot and ankle function. These include Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, compartment syndrome, peroneal imbalance just to name a few.

HOW DOES OSTEOPATHY TREAT FOOT PAIN

The goal of osteopathic treatment is to assist the body with its self healing capacity. Once we know what structures that are being irritated we can treat them accordingly. Many people with foot pain often then complain that their back has started to hurt or they are now getting headaches. As the feet can affect the way the pelvis and lower back function, imbalance in the feet can cause many issues elsewhere in the body.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MY FOOT PAIN

If the undersurface of the foot is in pain, rolling the foot over a bottle can help gently stretch the plantar fascia and the joints of the foot. Keeping the calf and hamstrings stretched is very good for Achilles function. Having a soft pad at the front of the foot can assist with Morton’s neuroma. Gentle massage of the front of the shin can help with compartment syndrome.