5 Best Exercises for People with Diabetic Foot

Exercise is associated with many health advantages for diabetic foot. Not only can it reduce the amount of stress you feel, but it also can reduce the amount of sugar in your blood and even the amount of insulin you require.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) believes that people with diabetes should engage in aerobic activity for 150 minutes per week. In addition, the American Diabetes Association suggests skipping aerobic exercise for no more than two consecutive days at a time.

5 Exercises for People with Diabetic Foot

Make it a point to form a routine of performing the exercises listed below regularly. They will provide the maximum benefits to assist you in managing your diabetic foot, and it won’t be too difficult to incorporate them into your daily routine.

1. Cycling

It is estimated that around half of those with type 2 diabetes also have arthritis. Both illnesses have a number of the same risk factors, the most notable of which is obesity. People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to experience joint discomfort because of diabetic neuropathy, a disorder that develops when the nerves become destroyed. If you experience pain in your lower joints, or a diabetic foot, consider selecting an exercise with low impact. You can achieve your fitness goals while putting less stress on your joints by, for example, cycling as a form of exercise.

2. Team sports

Joining a recreational sports team could benefit you if you struggle to motivate yourself to work independently. You might find the motivation to show up each week to play if you have the chance to socialize with your teammates and if you commit to honoring that commitment to them. Several recreational activities provide an effective cardio workout and play a huge role in diabetic foot treatment. Consider trying different sports like ultimate frisbee, basketball, softball, tennis, or soccer.

3. Walking

Walking is the most common exercise and is highly recommended for the diabetic foot. This is because anyone may perform it practically everywhere. Walking at a fast pace for thirty minutes five times per week is an excellent strategy to boost the amount of physical activity you get in your week. Consider dividing these thirty minutes into three periods of ten minutes each and doing that three times a day.

4. Dancing

Not only is dancing beneficial for your body, but it’s also fun! The mental exercise required to recall dance steps and sequences is proven to have positive effects on brain function and memory. It is a fun and exciting way to boost physical activity, promote weight loss, improve flexibility, lower blood sugar, and reduce stress for those with diabetic feet. Many more people can participate in dancing thanks to chair dancing, which encourages using chairs to assist those with restricted physical capabilities. An adult who weighs 150 pounds can burn as much as 150 calories in just 30 minutes of activity.

5. Yoga

According to a review published in September 2018 in the journal Endocrinology and Metabolism, research reveals that if you have diabetes, practicing yoga can help reduce stress, make it easier to manage the illness, and reduce the pain on a diabetic foot. According to Colberg, “as stress levels go up, so do your blood sugar levels.”

One of the benefits of practicing yoga as a kind of physical activity is that it may be done whenever you feel like it and as part of diabetic foot exercises. An article published in March 2017 in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health concluded that exercise helps adults with type 2 diabetes minimize the severity of their depression symptoms.

Get Custom Orthotics for Diabetic Foot Pain from NetStep

Diabetes can lead to several foot problems, and taking care of your feet is important if you have the condition. Exercises that improve circulation and mobility in your feet can help reduce pain and prevent further complications. The five exercises we’ve listed are best for people with diabetes-related foot issues, but custom orthotics from NetStep can provide even more support and relief. If you’re looking for customized diabetic shoes or inserts, contact us at (888) 718-3957 – we specialize in providing comfortable options that relieve foot pain and promote healing. Take your free diagnosis today.