Exercise in Diabetic Foot Ulceration: A Brief Narrative Review
Published recently in *Integrative Medicine, A Clinical Journal* (via SAGE), this narrative review examines the role of exercise in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) management, emphasizing benefits for glycemic control, neuropathic symptom relief, and overall well-being.
Key Insights:
- Glycemic Benefits: Regular physical activity supports glucose regulation and cardiovascular health—both critical to wound healing in diabetes.
- Neuropathy Management: Exercise may help reduce neuropathic symptoms like pain, tingling, or numbness, potentially improving foot sensation and awareness.
- Mental Health Advantage: Improved physical fitness can alleviate stress and anxiety, which are known to adversely affect wound recovery.
- Holistic Approach: Combined with standard DFU care—offloading, infection control, and debridement—exercise supports overall patient resilience and could reduce recurrence risk.
While acknowledging the need for caution in neuropathic feet, the authors advocate incorporating tailored exercise plans—under supervision—as a multi-dimensional strategy in DFU management.
Keywords:
exercise therapy,
diabetic foot ulcer,
glycemic control,
neuropathy,
mental well-being