What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is an umbrella term for a group of chronic diseases that affect how your body regulates blood sugar. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes, which is a genetic condition that is usually diagnosed in childhood, and type 2 diabetes, which is linked to lifestyle factors and is the most common form of the disease.
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are characterized by high blood sugar levels and abnormal production or processing of insulin (the hormone responsible for regulating glucose levels in the bloodstream). Put simply, individuals with type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin, while those with type 2 diabetes either cannot produce enough insulin or their bodies do not properly respond to the insulin that is produced. Left untreated, either type of diabetes can lead to serious health complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, and blindness.
Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
Common symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, extreme thirst, fatigue, rapid weight loss, blurred vision, slow-healing cuts or bruises, and tingling or numbness in the hands or feet. For individuals with type 1 diabetes, these symptoms often develop quickly, over a period of days or weeks, and can be so severe that they lead to hospitalization. In contrast, type 2 diabetes often develops more gradually. In some cases, individuals with type 2 diabetes may not notice any symptoms until the disease has progressed to a more advanced stage.
Remember, the earlier diabetes is diagnosed, the easier it is to manage and the less likely you are to experience serious health complications.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Diabetes
Few patients who are diagnosed with diabetes consider the upper cervical spine as a potential trigger for their symptoms. However, recent research in this field suggests that the upper cervical spine and diabetes could be linked through the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS is responsible for sending electric signals around the body and directly communicates with the endocrine cells in the pancreas to prompt the production and/or release of insulin.
Due to its proximity to the brainstem, the function of the CNS is closely linked to the health of the upper cervical spine. When a misalignment occurs in the upper cervical spine, nerves in this region can become compressed and, subsequently, inflamed. Over time, this localized inflammation can disrupt or even inhibit the nerve signals between the CNS and the endocrine cells. If the pancreas is receiving erratic signals about when to produce and store insulin, or is receiving no signals at all, patients will begin to experience diabetes symptoms.
How Our Natural Diabetes Treatment Works
The Blair Chiropractic Technique is a modern form of chiropractic treatment that emphasizes the health of the upper cervical spine when treating conditions like diabetes. Unlike traditional chiropractic treatments, the Blair Chiropractic Technique uses gentle, non-invasive correction techniques that don’t twist, crack, or pop your spine.
During your first appointment with a Blair Chiropractic specialist, you’ll be taken through an upper cervical spinal assessment to determine the health of your upper cervical spine. During this consultation, your practitioner will be able to locate any misalignments in the upper cervical spine that could be contributing to your diabetes symptoms. To pinpoint any misaligned vertebrae, you’ll likely undergo a cone beam computed tomography scan or an X-ray.
Once your initial assessment is concluded, your practitioner will begin your treatment. Using certified Blair Chiropractic adjustment techniques, your practitioner will gently coax any impacted vertebrae back into natural alignment. While this may sound uncomfortable, this process is generally painless and will never involve any harsh twisting or pulling.
