Neuropathy and Diabetes
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Active Care Rehab utilizes Anodyne Therapy System which was the first infrared light therapy product cleared by the FDA in 1994, and it remains one of the few evidence based infrared light therapy modalities on the market today.
Many manufacturers reference clinical data completed using other light therapy products - and have little to no proprietary clinical data on their specific devices.
There are 13 published peer reviewed studies demonstrating the exceptional outcomes with Anodyne Therapy Systems.
Active Care Rehab was one of the first facilities in Wisconsin to offer this state of the art treatment. These clinical studies have been published in such journals as Diabetes Care, Practical Pain Management, Age and Ageing and Endocrine Practice.
Dr. Molly Rittberg, physical therapist at Active Care Rehab explains how diabetes causes neuropathy: “The small blood vessels can become damaged and the nerve endings aren’t adequately supplied with the fuel they need to perform effectively. Patient start to notice pain, balance problems or difficulty walking. We treat many patients with various levels of damage from mild tingling to total numbness.”
Peripheral neuropathy is the term used for damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system, which may be caused either by diseases of the nerve or from the side-effects of systemic illness. Peripheral neuropathy is not a disease itself and is commonly diagnosed in people when no pre-existing cause is present. Less than three percent of the general population is affected by peripheral neuropathy, yet sixty percent of diabetics will develop some degree of nerve damage. However, some known causes of peripheral neuropathy include diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, radiation, and chemotherapy. The diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy is performed based on the symptoms that the patient is experiencing at the time of the doctor’s examination. Some common symptoms that one may experience are sensations of decreased circulation in the extremities, such as numbness, tingling, alternating burning hot and ice cold feelings, sharp or dull pain, decreased coordination, and muscle fatigue. Furthermore, some have reported the feeling of wearing a stocking or glove when the person is afflicted with peripheral neuropathy.1
Anodyne Therapy is a simple, safe, non-invasive treatment option for people who suffer from painful, numb feet. The treatment consists of strapping small pads to the affected areas for approximately 30 minutes. Patient may feel some warmth during the session, but no significant pain. The physical therapist also designs an individualize exercise program for each patient to address his or her specific needs. Balance, gait and stretching exercises are usually incorporated to help patients improve their functional levels. “We like to get our patients moving again, so they can get their lives back.” Says Ratke.
Anodyne received FDA approval in 1994, but has not been widely utilized. “This treatment has been available for many years, but many doctors don’t know about it.” Explains Dr Rittberg.
But numerous studies prove the benefits of Anodyne. 2239 patient were examined in one study that was published in Diabetes and Its Complications and showed that 67% of patients with chronic foot and leg pain had a decrease in symptoms after Anodyne. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics also reported that 272 patients at 7 facilities demonstrated significant pain reduction and improvement in functional outcomes with Anodyne.
Anodyne and physical therapy treatments are covered by all major insurances including Medicare, Medicaid and Title XIX. Most patients need a prescription from their doctor in order to begin therapy and once a patient is referred to Active Care Rehab, a physical therapist performs a thorough, initial evaluation. The patients’ history, sensation, balance, strength and flexibility are assessed before treatment is started. The Physical therapist then designs a plan of care based on the patient’s needs and abilities. Physical therapists have extensive training and knowledge of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems and communicate with a patient’s doctor in order to optimize functional gains.
Recent studies show that aerobic and resistance exercise help people with diabetes control their blood sugar. One study, included 251 adults, between ages 39 and 70, who were not exercising regularly and had type 2 diabetes found were divided into four groups, one performing 45 minutes aerobic training three times per week, another 45 minutes of resistance training three times per week, the third 45 minutes each of both three times per week, and the last no exercise. The group that did both kinds of exercise had about twice as much improvement as either other group alone. 2
Another study involving 10,455 subjects found that diabetics who attended exercise classes had more significant improvements than people who focused on trying to change exercise, diet modification and medication at the same time. 3
“People with diabetes can make great gains with exercise.” Says Pete Balik, physical therapist with Active Care Rehab. “Many of our patients need help getting started with an exercise program, because they never been very active. We try and educate our patients regarding lifestyle changes that can drastically improve their quality of life.”
- http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/peripheralneuropathy/detail_peripheralneuropathy.htm
- American College of Physicians. "Both Aerobic And Resistance Exercise Improved Blood Sugar Control In People With Diabetes." ScienceDaily 18 September 2007. 30 September 2008 .
- University of Missouri-Columbia (2007, June 15). Exercise Helps People With Diabetes, Study Says. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 30, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2007/06/070614105308.htm
