Exercising Safely With Diabetic Neuropathy
The city of Surprise, Arizona offers many exercise classes for people of all ages. From Zumba to martial arts, you can be sure to find something that fits your interests. People with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy have a little more to worry about when it comes to exercising safely, though. As an Arizona diabetic foot care podiatrist, we know staying free of injury, especially in your feet and legs, is crucial to staying healthy overall.
Finding the right way to get some physical activity in your life can seem challenging when you have diabetes. Some people think that if you have the disease, you are better off staying sedentary to avoid injury, but this doesn’t have to be the case.
Sure, there are certain complications that stem from having diabetes, which can make some exercises more difficult than others, but there are ways to get around those difficulties. It’s all about finding what works best for you.
If you have peripheral neuropathy, it’s probably best to avoid weight-bearing exercise. The reason? You may be unable to feel an injury because of the nerve damage in your limbs. Activities like swimming or balance exercises (stretching) can be very beneficial for you.
People who suffer from Charcot foot need to be very careful with their feet. It’s best to stay off of them as much as possible, so doing weight lifting in a seated position can be a wonderful way to incorporate a workout into your routine.
Doctors will often recommend an exercise regimen that is light to moderate in nature for patients with diabetes. However, our Arizona podiatrist adds, it’s very important to listen to your own body. Check for any injuries that you might sustain, and if you feel sick, light-headed, or pain, stop what you’re doing.
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