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Diabetic neuropathy is a condition in which nerve damage is caused by diabetes. The nerves are important because they carry brain signals to the rest of your body. These signals may control pain, movement, or other physical functions.
Diabetic neuropathy usually damages the nerves of the feet and legs. This can cause sharp, severe foot pain. It can also lead to loss of sensation and paralyze these areas. As blood flow decreases, wounds or amputations on the feet may take longer to heal.
If you are experiencing the neuropathic symptoms of diabetes, a foot massager may be a valuable investment!
Massage helps relieve pain by improving blood flow and circulation. This will improve swelling, numbness and loss of sensation in the feet. Foot massage can even prevent neurological problems from occurring later.
There are endless foot and leg massages on the market, including those with heat features and air compression. There are so many things you can buy, but this doesn’t make it easier to choose a product!
If you’re having trouble choosing a foot massager, you’re in the right place! We searched widely to find the best foot massager for people living with diabetes.
I also included a purchasing guide at the end of the article. We cover why foot massage is so beneficial for people living with diabetes and what to keep in mind when purchasing a foot massager.
Whether you prefer a massager with lots of settings or a massage that’s easy to carry, you can find foot massagers listed below!
Here are the top picks of the best foot massagers for people living with diabetes.
Breo Foot Massager with Shiatsu Deep Tissue Massage
The Breo Foot Massager comes with deep kneading, compression, shaving, rolling and heating functions at a very affordable price.
There are three options: compressive strength and various massage modes, allowing you to significantly control the type and strength of the massage.
There is also an optional thermal function that ranges from 104 to 122° (40-45 C).
The sleeves of the feet are removable and washable, making them easy to clean.
- Great value – better price than comparable massage
- Adjustable – Pressure, heat and massage types can be adjusted
- Lightweight – Easy to move and store
- Do not massage the calves
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Buying Guide
Don’t know what foot massager needs? Check out the buying guide below to see which features you should pay attention to!
Links between diabetes and your feet
People with diabetes need to look after their feet more than others. A foot wound, no matter how small, can cause severe complications, such as diabetic neuropathy.
High blood sugar levels can cause damage to blood vessels. This means that blood flow is reduced, especially in the legs. If blood does not flow freely, the wound can be difficult to heal, which can lead to weakness in the legs.
Maintaining proper blood flow towards nerves and blood vessels is extremely important.
The basics of neurological disorders
Diabetic neuropathy refers to neuropathy. This occurs when nerve damage causes severe chronic pain.
One type of diabetic neuropathy that is particularly painful is peripheral neuropathy. This can be a complication that can occur in diabetic patients.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can occur in patients with long-term diabetic bacteria. Disruptions in blood supply or hyperglycemia can affect leg movements and sensory nerves. This is sometimes called diabetic multiples.
The pain can be severe and difficult to manage. Medications may be prescribed, but in many cases it does not have the desired effect. These medications are primarily prescribed by a doctor, provided via the bloodstream, or provided topically as emollients.
Other things that may be useful are foot cream shoes inserts that can relieve pain when the wearer walks. Electric foot massage is even more effective as massage increases blood flow to the feet. This relieves some of the pain caused by diabetic neuropathy.
Prescription medications are useful, but are about 30 to 50% effective in relieving pain. This is why people with diabetic neuropathy find massages more effective than medications.
Diabetic foot massage is a machine that massages the feet, and in some cases, the same thing can be done with the underlife. These can be a necessary item for diabetics as they can relieve painful, fatigued feet.
Massage your feet with the device and your feet begin to receive a mechanical foot massage. This improves blood circulation and increases the oxygen content in the blood. This can also affect the patient’s energy levels.
Foot massage can also affect blood pressure, which can relieve painful or tired feet. At the same time, the lymphatic system and blood circulation are encouraged to remove waste.
Additionally, massage also relieves muscles to relax and recover. Regular foot massages also reduce the risk of foot ulcers and can even restore damaged nerve function in the foot.
Key Benefits of Foot Massage
Below are some of the main benefits that foot massagers can bring to people who live with diabetes.
Improves blood circulation
Foot massage helps increase blood circulation throughout the body, including the feet. Better blood circulation allows foot ulcers to form, protect against infection, prevent blood clots, and speed up recovery from wounds.
Reduces swelling in the legs
Swelling feet can occur for several reasons, including swollen feet, hypertension, and pregnancy. Foot massage helps to eliminate excess liquid from building up in your feet. This improves discomfort, supports kidney function, and maintains the ideal sodium balance in the body.
Increases nerve sensitivity
When foot massage is performed properly, blood flow to the legs increases and can reconstruct damaged nerve function.
Adjusts blood pressure
Cortisol is a hormone known to cause hypertension. Systolic blood pressure is the pressure that the heart produces against the arterial walls each time the heart beats. A proper foot massage may adjust this by helping your body rest and relax.
Encourages a good sleep
Neurotransmitters are important as they encourage the body to relax and sleep at night. Massage can affect how the nervous system works, so reviving normal circadian rhythms can help control insomnia.
Improve depression
Performing foot massages only twice a week can help to improve depressive symptoms such as stress, anxiety and insomnia. This may help you improve your mood and despair.
Pain relief
This may be the most important benefit for diabetic patients experiencing foot pain. Foot massage strengthens blood circulation in your feet. The greater the blood flow to the painful area, the more relaxed the muscles, adding pressure from the massage tool, and reducing pain and stiffness.
Now we’ve covered why foot massage is important for people with diabetic neuropathy. Here are some things to keep in mind when making your choice.
Seat position
Seat position is an important factor. It affects whether you can sit and relax while using the device. It’s always better to look for a foot massager that offers a comfortable seating position.
Find the foot massager at an adjustable angle. Fixed foot massage can only be seated on the feet and feet at a 90° angle. This can be uncomfortable when sitting for a long time.
The adjustable foot massager allows you to sit in a natural seating position and not only stay upright, but also return to your chair.
Manual or electric?
Another factor you need to consider is whether you need a manual massage and an electric foot massage.
Manual foot massages can look like a tube or a ball. All you have to do is place your device on the floor and wrap your feet over it. These massagers can also be used in a variety of ways.
There is also a manual foot massager with several rollers. This allows the device to massage the entire foot at the same time. Manual foot massages tend to be lighter, so you can carry them around.
If you are buying a foot-prone massager for you, an electric foot massager may be a better choice. These latest devices tend to have two movements. Look for a massage that moves in one vibrating motion and a massage back and forth and back.
Most electric massagers are designed to fit both feet, allowing you to massage both feet at the same time.
Various massage techniques
Besides choosing a specific type of foot massager, you should also consider the type of massage technique you prefer. Virtually every foot massage has a moving head that kneads the feet, but you may find others who massage it by compression instead.
Compression massage applies pressure directly to the muscles. This helps relax the muscles and nerves in your feet, relieve pain and improve blood circulation.
Other foot massages have fever characteristics that help relieve painful feet. Fever works well with massage because it can improve blood flow. Vibrating models can also be found, which can enhance the massage effect.
Shiatsu feature
Electric foot massages may have directional functions. Orientation is a popular Japanese massage technique that focuses on pressure points. These foot massagers mimic this procedure using vibrating moving heads.
All foot massages with instructional machine techniques may help relieve pain and loss of sensation. However, keep in mind that people living with diabetes should use massagers in lighter finger settings.
People with foot pain may find the strong force of the pressure point is intense, which can worsen extreme foot pain.
Weight and size
While you can’t first think about size and weight when choosing a foot massager, these factors affect how easy it is to carry and store your device.
High-end models may have more features, but this can increase weight and size. The extra massage head is a hassle, so it can occupy many storage rooms.
Heavy massagers are not ideal for traveling with them either. It is not recommended for people with diabetic neuropathy to carry weight items as it can strengthen foot pain. Electric massages are usually heavier than manual massages.
Manual massage is lighter and more compact, so you can travel together on the go. This depends on the brand, but some people are small enough to put them in their pockets.
Ease of use
Your foot massager may have many settings, but if you can’t use them, they will be of no use! Always check the number of massager settings before purchasing. We recommend checking out reviews that cover how easy it is to use the product.
Foot massage can be a great tool for anyone experiencing diabetic foot pain, but before you start, there are a few things you need to know.
Mechanical devices that generate kinetic energy consume a little energy as heat. Diabetic neuropathy causes a lack of sensation and numbness in the feet and feet.
The heat produced by the massager can risk burning your skin, but you may not be able to feel it right away.
Massages may be suitable for your feet, but intense massages can cause circulation problems, especially if you live with other circulatory conditions.
Anyone experiencing diabetes symptoms should be extremely careful when using a foot massager. Always consult a medical professional before purchasing one or going for a foot massage.
Foot massagers can cause complications, but these usually occur when the massage is too intense or too high of pressure.
If you are starting to use an electric foot massager, start with the lowest setting. If you want to increase the strength, do this gradually to avoid too much pressure.
If pain occurs, no matter how small it is, stop using the device.
Diabetics will know that this condition can affect certain parts of your life. New diets, new medications, general lifestyle changes are everything you get used to. Foot massage is a great tool for people with diabetic foot pain, but it should not be replaced by diabetes prevention practices.
One of the main causes of foot pain in diabetes is the lack of circulation. This is why simple massage techniques can help increase blood circulation and relieve muscle pain.
Massages move the blood and exert pressure that can increase the temperature of the muscles. This helps the muscle fibers stay elastic and helps the process mobility.
Weight management is important, so patients do not put any more pressure on their feet. This is especially important for obese individuals and those with severe foot pain.
In some cases, preventive techniques, foot massage, and weight management are more effective than prescribed medications for foot pain.
FAQ
Massages are great for people with diabetic neuropathy. Massages are used to relieve pain, improve blood circulation and promote relaxation.
All of these can improve foot pain in diabetics, as massage relieves the muscles in your leg. Foot massage can also improve mobility and flexibility within the foot, which may further improve pain relief.
Can diabetic patients use leg compression massagers?
Massage of devices focusing on the feet and lower limbs is extremely useful for people with diabetes. Diabetic patients may want to improve blood circulation in the feet and feet.
A leg compression massager is a good way to do this, especially if you can massage your feet at the same time.
Most people with peripheral neuropathy can benefit from foot massage, but they need to recognize potential side effects.
Electric foot massages may be set to apply too much pressure. This may be too strong for people with chronic foot pain.
It’s always best to start with the lowest setting on the massager and follow your path. If you feel any pain, immediately stop using the device.
Other products for diabetic neuropathy
You can also consider using compression socks to help treat diabetic neuropathy and reduce pain and swelling.
We have a comprehensive guide to the best socks for diabetic neuropathy.
A topical neuropathic cream can be applied to your feet for quick and effective pain relief. These creams are generally affordable, readily available and painless to apply.
Here are the best diabetic neuropathic creams reviews that explain what to look for.