Some people with diabetes might benefit from additional treatments, referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), that are not part of standard medical care.
Additional treatments can help people with diabetes who have problems such as nerve pain, which can develop from diabetic neuropathy Some therapies can also help with relaxation and relieving stress.
However, it is important to understand how each individual therapy could affect your diabetes and your health. You should consult your diabetes health care team and your doctor before receiving any alternative therapies.
Alternative treatment guides
Some therapies will work for some individuals, others simply will not.
Please click on the links below for more information:
- Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
- Ayurverdic Medicine
- Dietary Supplements
- Aromatherapy
- Relaxation Therapy and Guided Imagery
- Massage Therapy and Reflexology
- Biofeedback
- Colour, Music and Art Therapy
Diabetes and other complementary alternative medicines
Some people with diabetes might be able to obtain benefits from alternative treatments to complement the treatments from their doctor.
However, bear in mind that some treatments may interact with your standard treatment or have side effects. For this reason, it’s important to discuss with your doctor which alternative therapies you are considering before you undertake them.
Alternative treatments tend not to be the subject of vast scientific research. In many instances, success stories from alternative treatments are anecdotal, and people often have varying experiences of the same treatment.
Crucially, alternative treatments should not be used in place of your existing diabetes medication If you have concerns about how an additional treatment might affect your medication, you should see your doctor.
