Recently, a close family member was diagnosed with Type II diabetes, leading me to research whether massage could aid in the management of diabetes.

According to a paper published in 2001 in the Diabetes Spectrum, research into this issue has been limited, but does show promise.  They state that uncontrolled studies suggest that massage may have a positive effect on blood glucose levels and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.

Pacific Institute of Reflexology noted four Chinese studies that showed that reflexology treatment could benefit subjects with diabetes:

 http://www.pacificreflexology.com/pacrflx2004/diabetes.htm

 If you have diabetes and are interested in seeing if bodywork would aid in management of your symptoms, check with your treating physician to ensure that there would not be any contraindications.  Since massage and reflexology treatments could lower blood glucose levels, you might need to monitor your levels more closely while undergoing this type of treatment.

Massage and reflexology are not intended to treat or cure any disease or disorder, but research has suggested that they can aid in the management of disorders by increasing blood circulation and reducing stress.