If you suffer from diabetes, you’re familiar with all the negative symptoms that accompany this serious disease, but most of all, you’re familiar with foot problems diabetes can cause. In fact, foot problems are so commonly associated with diabetes, that experts advise all diabetics to check their feet at least once a day. If you’re worried about your foot health and want to improve your circulation, you’ve come to the right place – here, you can check out some of the best foot massagers for diabetics and pick your personal favorite.
The Best Foot Massagers for Diabetics (Review) in 2020
BEST FOOT MASSAGERS FOR DIABETICS
Brookstone F4 Shiatsu Foot Massager with Heat
This foot massager comes fully equipped with deep-kneading rollers, dynamic squeeze air compression, heat therapy and 3 auto massage programs that will make your feet fully rejuvenated. Just like its name suggests, the massager provides shiatsu massage, which is a Japanese technique that uses kneading and pressure on specific acupuncture points to help release tension. With 24 air chambers surrounding the thighs, calves and feet, 3 massage programs including Soothe, Puls and Energize, and 2 levels of massage intensity, Brookstone F4 foot massager promises to improve circulation, relieve tension and fatigue, alleviate muscle pain and promote complete relaxation.
REVITIVE IX CIRCULATION BOOSTER WITH HEAT
If you’re looking for the best circulation-booster, this is it. The Revitive massager uses electrical muscle stimulation to make the user’s muscles contract and relax. This gets the blood pumping, boosting circulation and relieving tension. The FDA-approved device includes the key feature, circulation booster, as well as 4 adhesive TENS body pads that can be used for knee, back or shoulder pain. There are also 99 settings, which makes the pulsing experience highly customizable – among many other things, you can choose to increase your circulation, improve your muscle strength and tone, or relieve sore muscles. Indeed, Revitive Circulation Booster could be one of the best foot massagers for diabetics.
HEALTHMATEFOREVER VIBRATING MASSAGE & HEATING SHOES
Affordable and specifically designed to help with symptoms of diabetic neuropathy, swollen, sensitive feet, and foot injury, including plantar fasciitis, HealthmateForever’s vibrating and heating slippers are one of the best foot massagers for diabetics on the market. There are 5 different vibrating modes along with a heat therapy, and the user can choose between a vibration massage only, heat therapy only, or both together. Encased with comfortable fleece, these shoes promise to promote relaxation, boost blood circulation and soothe fatigued and sore muscles.
CLOUDMASSAGE FOOT MASSAGE MACHINE SHIATSU MASSAGER
The foot massager from Cloud Massage provides a deep-kneading shiatsu massage at the most comfortable angle. This is possible thanks to its adjustable comfort bar that allows the user to sit in a natural position during their massage. This feature is especially useful for people who suffer from extreme muscle, joint and back pain. The massager comes with numerous features: rolling ball massagers, squeeze air compression and heat therapy. All these are excellent for encouraging circulation, relieving stress and tension and soothing tired and achy feet. The user can choose between a foot, leg, calve, ankle and even toe massage.
BEST FOOT MASSAGER FOR DIABETICS BUYING GUIDE
Whether you need a massage chair, a massage pad or a foot massager, you should think about a few things before purchasing.
Firstly, your own budget – if you’re strapped for cash, but you could use an effective device to boost your circulation, forget about those massagers with a ton of extra features. Instead, go for simple vibrating foot devices and you’ll make no mistake. It’s a huge bonus if the massager also has a heat therapy.
Secondly, if you have slight nerve damage or you’ve been advised by your doctor to be careful about your foot health, consider purchasing massagers that are specifically designed to help people with diabetes and/or foot injuries. In this case, it’s crucial to pick an ultra-comfortable massager.
The conclusion? To buy the best foot massagers for diabetics, rely more on your own specific needs and doctor recommendations, than on reviews – but read those too, as they can be helpful.
CAN A DIABETIC USE A FOOT SPA?
Foot spas are an amazing way to relax and pamper yourself and your feet. An hour at a foot spa can relieve stress, promote relaxation and rejuvenate tired muscles. Sound perfect, right? Sadly, if you’re a diabetic – no.
Diabetics should avoid foot spas for one simple reason – because most diabetics lose at least some sensation in their extremities, it can be hard to sense when the water is too hot or too cold, which can lead to further nerve damage, numbness and even burns. For this reason, most experts advise against foot spas for diabetics, and we agree. Instead, if you want to reduce muscle pain and tension and boost your circulation, use foot massagers – they’re definitely safer for diabetics.
HOW CAN FOOT MASSAGERS HELP RELIEVE DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY?
If foot spas are off limits for diabetics, are foot massagers ok? Actually, they’re more than ok – by promoting blood flow and boosting circulation, foot massagers can help restore some sensation in feet. Furthermore, by relieving muscle pain and tightness and promoting foot relaxation, foot massagers can even prevent diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), or at least relieve the symptoms: numbness, muscle weakness and ‘pins and needles’ feeling.
Although most foot massagers are actually helpful for diabetics with DPN, it’s always best to talk with your doctor first before trying out new devices.
ARE FOOT MASSAGERS SAFE FOR DIABETICS?
As mentioned, most foot massagers are perfectly safe for diabetics, however, some people should probably avoid using them altogether. For instance, diabetics with severe DPN or people who have been advised by their doctor not to use any massaging devices on their feet, should away from them.
However, for most people, including diabetics, foot massagers can be extremely helpful. Besides easing muscle pain, tension, and tightness, they can help boost your circulation (always a plus, especially for diabetics!) and promote relaxation.
Of course, if you’re not sure whether or not you should be using a foot massager – talk with your doctor. They may not only clear you, but actually advise you on how much and how long you should use foot massagers.
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