Diabetes is a group of conditions that occur when the body has a difficult time regulating glucose levels in the bloodstream. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas is impaired and unable to function properly and can’t produce enough of the hormones that regulate blood sugar, such as insulin. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the organs are resistant to insulin.
In the US, diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. The disease can lead to serious health complications such as limb amputation, blindness, heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke.
While there is no cure for diabetes, the disease can be treated with a careful diet, exercise, and medication. Upper cervical care can also benefit diabetics.
Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
When the blood sugar levels become too high or too low, people may feel the symptoms of diabetes. Some common symptoms include excess thirst, frequent urination, headaches, blurry vision, dizziness, and irritability.
People with diabetes are slow to heal, so cuts and bruises may take longer than they should before going away. Diabetics may also suffer from dry skin or may feel numbness/tingling in the extremities.
If diabetes goes untreated, blood sugar levels can get out of control and reach dangerous levels.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Diabetes
While you may not think your spine has anything to do with your blood sugar, new research shows that there may be a link. The upper cervical spine is located in the neck, beginning just at the base of the skull where the brainstem connects to the spinal cord. Together, the brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system (CNS).
The CNS is responsible for transmitting signals throughout the body so that the brain can control all functions, including the endocrine system. This system is responsible for the release of hormones that regulate blood sugar. If the vertebrae in the upper cervical spine are misaligned, it can cause inflammation and swelling that compresses nerves and disrupts signals.
How Our Diabetes Treatment Works
If you suspect you have diabetes, you should contact your healthcare provider. Diabetics usually work with a team of medical professionals to help ensure they are managing the disease, and a chiropractor makes a good addition to that team.
Dr. Christina Coblish and Dr. Ryan Moeskau of Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Boulder can be part of your team and offer safe, non-invasive, drug-free treatments for diabetes to go along with your regular healthcare routine. Dr. Coblish and Dr. Moeskau are upper cervical specialists, trained in the Blair Chiropractic Technique.
The Blair technique utilizes advanced 3D diagnostic imaging tools for a better assessment of the upper cervical spine so that doctors can detect and calculate even minute misalignments. These high-quality scans allow doctors to make precise, low-force corrections that hold longer.
Once the spine is realigned, it reduces inflammation and alleviates any pressure that may have pinched or compressed nerves. The body’s natural healing processes then kick in to repair damage and boost the immune system. This can help diabetics who manage their condition to feel better and have fewer symptoms.
If you would like to know more about how upper cervical care can help with your diabetes, call for an appointment. Our areas of coverage include Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Erie, Lafayette, Broomfield, and Denver in Colorado.