Living with diabetes - How can we as physiotherapists help?


With changing lifestyle, Diabetes is a growing health issue in India. If you have diabetes, a physical therapist can work with you to design an exercise program that helps control your glucose and prevent cardiovascular complications. While aerobic exercise is often recommended for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, a recent study found that adding high-force strength training to an aerobic program offered significant advantages, helping to improve glucose control and increase strength among study participants.

Physiotherapy has a valuable role in the prevention and management of diabetes. Physiotherapists at Ability are experts in exercise prescription and are able to provide advice on physical activity and promote effective self-management practices that help people get on with their lives. Exercise plays an important role in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. At Ability we can advise you on the benefits of regular physical activity and can prescribe exercises most suited to your medical condition. Physiotherapists also assist with the management of complications associated with diabetes.

We at Ability frequently design exercise programs to reduce sedentary behaviors and increase physical activity. Exercise may improve blood sugar metabolism, reduce body fat, and increase muscle mass – which are all important in the treatment of diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes, as well as for general health. So if you or a family member have diabetes, or are in an ‘at risk’ category, it would be a good idea to talk to us about what you can do to help yourself