RE: diabetes

Hi,
I can't give you any advice on reflexology, but my dad was diabetic and poor circulation is something they can suffer from very badly. Many diabetics end up as amputees. I know you do have to be very, very careful around the feet because of the poor circulation. My dad wasn't even allowed to use nail scissors on his toenails because of the danger of wound infection and so had to rip his toenails. Just caution needed.

Good luck with your course.
Kind regards,
Christina

RE: diabetes

sorry to hear about your dad christine. thanks for the info. i have asked for a referal letter from his doctor. tricky one this! all in the course of learning. regards jan

RE: diabetes

Hi neenie9

What the chap is refering is to is neuropathy, it's where the peripheral nerves are destroyed by diabetes usually as a result of prolonged high blood sugars. It leads to the loss of sensation in the feet usually. Take a look at [link= http://www.diabetes.org.uk ]www.diabetes.org.uk[/link] for more information

In regards to reflexology your main concern is to remember that he may not feel the massage and cannot say that you are applying to much or too little pressure or if its is tender on a reflex point, but the treatment can still be effective. You have to trust your hands

Sooner or later everyone cuts a toenail wrongly and it becomes sore or becomes infected - for people with uncontrolled diabetes this is a major problem. Because of the neuropathy they cannot feel the pain and therefore may not be aware of the cut. High blood sugars are the perfect growth medium for the bacteria on your feet, so hey presto gangrine is a big risk. Thats why people with diabetes are very carefull with care of their feet.

Thankfully not everyone with diabetes has these symptoms, it tends to be as a result of years of untreated diabetes. As someone with diabetesI breathe a big sigh of relief when the annual check up shows I dont have neuropathy. As for the effectiveness of reflexology I've been having free treatment weekly with great effect since starting the VTCT reflexology certificate last September - from next week we start treating real clients so no more freebies - shame I'll miss it

hope this helps

RE: diabetes

mm, thanks for the information, i started the vtct last september as well but we have been having clients for about 10 weeks. oh yes i too miss the freebies but we have asked each other on the course to our feet, it gets better every time what with the experience. hope all goes well for you regards jan

RE: diabetes

yep think we'll be going the same way - treating each other out of class, already started teaching reiki and crystals awareness to each other

this certainly makes a great change from all the courses I normally get with the day job

cheers Mike

RE: diabetes

yep its amazing isn't it mike, when you start a specific holistic therapy you just want to keep studying different ones. i started reflexology last september and have done hopi ear candling and next week i am starting indian head.its fanastic for relaxation and the amount of knowledge i have gained is unbelievable. regards jan