Don’t Get Caught in the Dark!

Stepping out from the shadow of diabetes. By Terri Rossi.

Gail’s weight fluctuated up and down. And, after menopause, mostly up. Recent blood sugar levels had revealed that she was just shy of being officially branded diabetic. Thoughts of an impending cascade of life changes left her dismayed and apprehensive. Gail knew how important staying active was to maintaining a full and vital life.

Over the years, however, joint and muscle pain had steadily increased to the point where she didn’t feel comfortable enough to enjoy a few rounds of golf or daily walks in the neighborhood. She needed a way to help herself feel good enough to be active enough to lose that extra weight.

And she was determined to avoid the same path of other family members who had developed type 2 diabetes. Through their experiences with the disease, Gail knew that some drugs used to control diabetes, such as Metformin, had nasty side effects. They could impair the absorption of vitamin B12 and create myelin sheath damage resulting in walking difficulties, muscle aches, numbness and memory loss. Worse, her mother had fought and lost the battle with diabetes—first losing a leg to amputation and then her life to unchecked infections the following year. Gail was determined not to live in the fear and shadows of diabetic-related health problems.

So she took the advice of her doctor’s nurse and enrolled in a special movement program called the Feldenkrais Method®. Developed in Europe by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais and brought to the United States in the 1980’s, the program uses gentle movement and directed attention to increase the ability to make comfortable, efficient movements.

Feldenkrais helps the brain communicate better with the body so that everything works better together. This means you will be on the fast track to enjoying the healthy habits of walking and playing that you know will improve your health.

Feldenkrais movement sessions are meant to be done with a spirit of exploration —so no two sessions will feel the same—and with great gentleness towards your body. Gail recommends wearing comfortable clothing, but don’t expect to be jumping around and sweating.

Done in small groups or in private 1-1 sessions, you start with easy movements that gradually evolve into greater range and complexity done on the floor or low training table. The Feldenkrais practitioner gives verbal directions and uses gentle hand pressure to move your body in sequences that may mimic common things, for example, walking, reaching or getting up from a chair. Practitioners also have many handouts available with tips to help keep clients on track. Find a Feldenkrais practitioner today and live in the brightness of a healthy and vital life!

One person every 20 seconds in the United States is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

In 2010 9% of adults in the United States had type 2 diabetes; by 2048 over 33% are expected to have diabetes.

Diabetes accounts for 50% of all amputations worldwide.

United States is ranked as the 2nd heaviest country per capita; Mexico leads the way….and weight.

Just one 12 oz. sugared pop daily can increase your diabetes risk by 22%.

#health