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Massage and Exercise Slow PAD |
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) refers to a variety of conditions that primarily affect the arteries of the body, with the exception of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. A main clinical symptom is intermittent claudication, is pain in the legs caused by atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) of the lower extremities. It can lead to cramp-like pains in the legs after walking for a while.
Although peripheral arterial insufficiency can affect anybody, diseases such as diabetes are an important risk factor. A by researchers at the University of Granada, Spain. has shown the efficacy of the joint application of two physiotherapy methods on peripheral arterial insufficiency in type 2 diabetes patients.
Participants in this experimental study included patients from ages 30 to 65 who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and with PAD.
Massage and exercise
This research project, which was carried out in collaboration with the Andalusian Health Service, included an exercise program which helps to develop a collateral circulation around the arterial segment affected by PAD, and massage techniques of a series of reflex strokes applied on certain areas which are far away from the affected areas. These areas do not usually show pain pathologies. This technique is based on the stimulation of an area located far away from the affected area, but connected to the affected area by a nerve circuit. “A stimulus produced in a subcutaneous conjunctive tissue has an effect on internal organs or tissues, improving blood circulation among other beneficial effects,” said researcher Castro Sánchez.
The joint application of the massage and the physical exercise produced the best results in the patients, raising arterial blood flow in legs and decreasing arterial tension.
Source
Science News |
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