Evidence Based Oriental Medicine

Tips on choosing an acupuncture provider 

What is acupuncture?

How does acupuncture help those with type 2 diabetes?

A holistic approach

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of thin needles into the skin at strategic points in the body. It balances the flow of energy through the meridians in the body and can also stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissues. Acupuncture has been shown to successfully treat everything from fibromyalgia to lower back pain, allergies, headaches, fatigue, arthritis, and neck pain. Acupuncture is often used in combination with other alternative treatments like cupping and herbal remedies. 

There have been hundreds of studies conducted to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on type 2 diabetes. One, conducted in 2019, showed that acupuncture led to a significant reduction in blood glucose levels of those with the disease.  Another clinical study found that acupuncture gave those suffering from type 2 diabetes a greater sense of calm and relaxation—a significant finding as diabetes symptoms tend to worse with stress or agitation. It also showed that acupuncture increased the blood flow in test subjects and led to an improved general overall quality of life.

A recent study also found that acupuncture improved nerve pain and led to an increase in daily activity and sleep quality in those with type 2 diabetes. The treatment can also help patients with weight loss, improve their insulin resistance, and improve their tolerance for glucose.                                        

How Can Acupuncture Help Those with Type 2 Diabetes?

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are complicated diseases that can result in numerous symptoms and health risk factors. Those who practice traditional Chinese medicine techniques like acupuncture know that it often takes several complementary treatment methods to effectively reduce symptoms and increase quality of life. Depending on the unique situation of each patient, a multi-pronged approach utilizing alternative medicine, lifestyle adjustments, and prescription medications may be needed.

Those living with diabetes should make efforts to maintain a healthy weight, get plenty of daily exercise, eat a balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and monitor their blood sugar levels. Taking part in activities that help them manage stress such as yoga, meditation, massage, and participating in enjoyable hobbies.

While neither type of diabetes can be cured, the risk factors and symptoms can be reduced and it’s possible for those suffering from both types of the disease to live a full and active life free of prescription medication. 

Affecting more than 400 million people around the world and 37.3 million in the United States, type 2 diabetes is a form of insulin resistance that can lead to nerve pain (diabetic neuropathy), foot ulcers, heart problems, and possible amputation of lower extremities. Western medicine often treats this disease with prescription drugs, endarterectomy, and radiological interventions that can be life-altering and cause a number of side effects.

Fortunately, type 2 diabetes can often be treated with lifestyle alteration and alternative medical treatments that have far fewer (or no) side effects. Acupuncture is one of those treatments. 

If you have type 2 diabetes and want to try adding acupuncture to your treatment regimen, it’s vital that you choose a practitioner who is highly educated and has years of experience using the technique to treat those with similar conditions. When choosing a provider, consider the following:

• Referrals. If you know others who suffer from diabetes and who have successful used acupuncture as a treatment method, ask them which provider their used. This can be one of the best ways to find a practitioner who will provide professional, compassionate care that leads to results.

• The practitioner’s education, background, and experience. It’s always best to choose a practitioner who has a proven track record when it comes to utilizing acupuncture and other alternative medical techniques. At our group of clinics, we are proud that Dr. Yueshan Hu has eight years of education and more than 20 years of experience in multiple types of medicine and sciences. He has also conducted many research studies including clinical trials to examine the effects of natural remedies on the human body’s metabolism. Dr. Hu leads the diabetes research project at our clinics.
  

• The clinic as a whole. It’s always best to choose a clinic that specializes in traditional Chinese and herbal medicine rather than one that offers more med-spa type services. Also determine how long the clinic has been in business, if it has any online reviews, and its general reputation in the community. At our clinics, we offer the following services for those with diabetes:
  

  • A full consultation and assessment
    
  • Three complementary fasting glucose tests
    
  • Diet and exercise advice
    
  • 12 sessions of acupuncture treatment
    
  • Herbal capsules
    
  • Auricular acupuncture or acupressure
    
  • Cupping therapy
    

Acupuncture has been used for more than 3000 years to treat everything from pain to fatigue to anxiety and more. A safe and often effective alternative treatment to prescription medications and other medical treatments that can cause side effects, acupuncture is helping thousands of Americans manage their type 2 diabetes. If you would like to see if acupuncture can help you, please book an appointment at our clinic today so our expert staff can help.