increase
blood flow to the feet -
YES !
RELAXATION
TRAINING AND ITS ROLE IN DIABETES AND HEALTH
Birgitta
I. Rice, M.S., R.Ph., CHES Introduction This
series of articles will provide information on the benefits of
relaxation on health and wellness, with a focus on peripheral
circulation problems in diabetes patients PART 3
Professional Feedback- Information from actual use. We have
seen several success stories among clients who have learned and used the
biofeedback assisted relaxation training in clinical practice.
The therapy now has a name; it is WarmFeet®.
The following are some testimonials from medical professionals
involved: Told
by a podiatrist: “The patient to whom I offered WarmFeet® was a
diabetic, renal transplant recipient. He had already lost several toes
on both feet and had an open, ischemic heel ulcer that had shown no
signs of healing for many months. The
vascular surgeon with whom I was working anticipated a BKA (below knee
amputation). This patient had no hope for vascular reconstruction due to
extensive small vessel disease. Within
six weeks of starting the WarmFeet® therapy, the wound was fully
closed. I have little else
to offer by way of explanation of why his ulcer closed.
It certainly defied expectation.”
The ulcer remained closed and the patient died from other causes
3 years later. A
research participant called back to the study center a couple of
months after the end of the study. She said: “Remember
I told you about my insensitive great toe, especially the outer side of
it. Well, yesterday when I
was putting my socks on, I realized that I could feel the sock.
I was so surprised!” She
had kept up with the regular relaxation practice, and we were delighted
to hear of this unsolicited outcome.
We had seen a statistically significant improvement in the coarse
nerve fiber function (sensations of touch) at the end of the study. This
was measured with current perception threshold (CPT) levels, using a
specific electronic instrument. However,
we were delighted to hear of an actual change in awareness and feeling
in the foot by a person who learned the relaxation technique and had
practiced it regularly. From
a Vascular Surgeon: “Bob’s ischemic disease had progressed to where he now
had ischemic petechia in his toes and probably impeding gangrene of his
toes. Either revascularisation or amputation will be the next step.” Bob’s Family Practice Doctor suggested the WarmFeet® therapy to him. Bob had so much pain he could not sleep nights and was hardly able to walk. He also was so discouraged, it was hard to interest him in the possible help that the therapy could give. However,
at the first follow-up two weeks after teaching him the relaxation, he
was like a changed person. When asked about the current pain level, Bob
replied: “What pain? I have no pain and I sleep nights! Yesterday
I was able to walk up to the restaurant, which I have not been able to
do for a long time!” At a
return visit the Vascular Surgeon said:
“The therapy must have helped you. Let’s cancel the surgery
for the time being.” Well,
Bob went south for the winter and did not return until April when he
still was doing well in regard to the circulation in his feet. Many
health providers feel that sometimes hopeless situation, for similar
cases in their practices. If they truly are looking for some way to help their patient,
WarmFeet® may be the answer. That
is, if the patient wants to get involved and believe that it will help.
The patients first reaction to WarmFeet® is probably “How can that
help?” The educator’s comforting explanation and encouragement is
very important. WarmFeet®
allows the patients to participate in improving their own health.
Now, this is something they really can do for themselves!
Next
week we will have complete info on the warm feet system and information
on how you can have your patients participate in a Diabetes In Control
Study using the Warm Feet System. Birgitta I. Rice, MS, RPh, CHES received her education and pharmacy license in her native Sweden. She is a researcher, clinician and certified health education specialist at the University of Minnesota, Division of Epidemiology Clinical Research Center, Minneapolis, MN
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