Foot health problems are common in people with diabetes. In fact, doctors strongly recommend that diabetes patients get a foot check every time they go for a health care visit.
One of the common foot problem caused by diabetes is neuropathy, specifically referred to as diabetic neuropathy. It causes nerve damage in the feet. You can easily get cuts and bruises without knowing. Diabetic neuropathy also causes numbness and a tingling feeling in your feet.
Reduced blood flow to the lower extremities, also brought about by diabetes, slows down healing and increases the risk of infection. In extreme cases, amputation is the only course of treatment.
So foot care is extremely important for diabetics. Keep your feet clean and check them often for injuries. Another thing that can help is using a foot massager.
Table of Contents
- Benefits of foot massagers for diabetics
- Frequently Asked Questions
Benefits of foot massagers for diabetics
Foot massagers use various methods to boost blood flow, promote healing and improve nerve function.
Most massagers use EMS or electrical muscle stimulation to get your circulation up and reduce swelling. Some use rotating nodes to massage your feet. Some massagers also have a heat function to help with relaxation and pain relief.
We researched the best foot massagers for diabetics available online in the UK. These massagers are easy to use at home, they are safe and most importantly, they offer plenty of benefits to help you manage your health.
1. HoMedics Shiatsu Sole Soothing Foot Massager
- THE HOME OF WELLBEING - HoMedics is known for its home massage products, and continues to be a leading innovator in massage technology. Relax your...
- AT HOME FOOT MASSAGE - Treat yourself to an at home pamper session every day with the HoMedics Shiatsu Foot Massager. Relax your feet after a long day...
- SOOTHING HEAT - Using the toe touch control, you can add soothing heat to your foot massage or go one step further and activate the shiatsu massage...
- TOE TOUCH CONTROL - Relax into your favourite chair and utilise the hands free, toe touch control. Whether you prefer light vibration or deep tissue...
- RECOMMENDED USE - If you have any concerns regarding your health, we at HoMedics would recommend consulting your doctor before using this appliance....
Six rotating nodes and 18 massage heads (9 under each foot pad) provide a relaxing and circulation-boosting massage. The rotating nodes travel up and down your foot, which helps to ease muscle tension, reduce pain and lower any diabetes-related swelling.
There is also a heat function that you can use along with the Shiatsu massage. The heat therapy is great if you have any soreness or aches in your feet. It also boosts blood flow.
The control switch is easy to use with your foot. So you don’t have to keep bending down whenever you want to switch the massager on/off or turn on the heat.
Note that the massager runs for 20 minutes at a time. This is to protect your feet in case you fall asleep during the massage. But you can turn it on again for another session just by flicking the switch.
What we like about it:
- Heat function included.
- Easy to use at home.
- Large foot pads.
2. Revitive IX Circulation Booster
- Revitive IX Circulation Booster is a British Class IIa Medical Device
- Over 1 million people worldwide dedicated to Revitive
- EMS is applied to the feet contracting & relaxing calf muscles to get your lower leg muscles pumping
- Use it for 20 minutes daily & feel the benefits yourself
- The Revitive IX features the IsoRocker and Widepulse Waveforms
The Revitive IX Circulation Booster uses electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to cause your muscles to contract and relax. This is like a mini-exercise for your muscles and is especially helpful if you cannot workout normally.
The contractions increase blood flow to your legs, reduce swelling and pain and improve muscle strength. The EMS strength ranges from 1 to 99. Start at the lowest and increase intensity until you find the most comfortable setting.
There is also a rocker function. When turned on, the unit gently moves your ankle joint back and forth. This also helps with circulation and improves flexibility especially for the elderly and those with a sedentary lifestyle.
The massager comes with 4 separate TENS pads that you can use on other aching or swollen muscles and joints on your body.
What we like about it:
- Highly effective at boosting circulation and pain relief.
- TENS pads included.
- Comes with a remote control.
3. Homedics Circulation Device
- Clinically proven
- May reduce swelling in the ankles and improve lower leg blood circulation
- Potential to increase blood flow after prolonged sitting and reduce swelling, blood pooling and discomfort in lower limbs
- Alleviates minor aches, pains and discomfort
- It's diabetic friendly - Diabetics have to look after their feet and legs
The Homedics Circulation Device also uses electric nerve stimulation to boost blood flow and improve nerve function. Harmless levels of electrical current are conducted through the nerve endings of your feet to your muscles.
As the muscles contract and relax, they become stronger and increase blood circulation. If you have numbness in your feet, regular use of this massager can return some feeling.
This massager is very effective for those with swelling symptoms in the feet or ankles. With daily use, ideally 20 minutes every day, you’ll notice less swelling and pain.
In addition to the main unit there are four electrode gel pads you can use to tone other muscles or relieve pain on aching joints. The controls for the gel pads are separate from those of the main unit. So you can use both at the same time and control their settings independently.
What we like about it:
- Intensity settings.
- Gel pads included.
- Easy to use especially with the included remote control.
4. Circulation Maxx Blood Booster Design with Remote Control and Infrared
- The Circulation Maxx Blood Booster for feet and legs combines TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) and EMS (electronic muscle...
- Benefits - Reduces discomfort, eases tiredness, soothes muscles, relaxes muscles, relieves tension.. Over 300,000 sold in the UK
- What is included - Circulation Maxx Device, Remote Control, Mains Adaptor, Comprehensive manual and easy start-up guide, 4 TENS device pads - for...
- Simple and easy to use - The warm and soothing pulses created by Circulation Maxx temporarily reduce swelling caused by poor circulation. Feel relief...
- Not suitable for users with epilepsy, fitted with a pacemaker, pregnant women or users with an existing DVT.
In addition to electrical muscle stimulation therapy, this circulation blood booster also uses infrared heat to warm your legs on cold days while also increasing blood flow in your feet.
You can easily change the massage settings on the unit’s control panel. There are separate buttons for increasing/decreasing stimulation levels on the foot pads and on the separate body gel pads. There is also a button for activating the infrared heat function.
But you don’t have to keep bending over to press the buttons. There is a remote control you can use while still comfortably seated.
At the bottom of the unit there is a small manual roller you can use to massage specific areas of your feet.
What we like about it:
- Easy to use.
- TENS gel body pads included.
- Heat function.
5. Carmen C84003 Foot Warmer and Massager with 2 Massage Motors
- Rejuvenate your feet with the atmost relaxation experience, featuring two massage motors that can be controlled separately
- Up to 50 degrees celcius heating temperature to warm and relieve stress and tension from tired, cold feet
- Two step power works into key muscles offering a smooth foot massage
- Removable washable faux fur inner lining for easy cleaning
- Comes with 1-year guarantee, get extended 2-year warranty upon registration
Even before you turn on the heat, this foot warmer already feels warm and cozy. It looks like an oversized sock and feels really soft and comfortable inside.
To use it, put both feet inside and then use the wired control fob to turn on the comfort settings. There is a heat button which raises the temperature to a cozy 50 degrees Celsius.
There are also two massage buttons that activate two massage motors inside the foot warmer, one for each foot. You can activate each massager independently from the other one.
What we like about it:
- Cozy design.
- Removable and washable cloth interior.
- Easy to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does foot massage help diabetics?
Foot massage increases blood flow to the feet, which reduces neuropathy, speeds up healing of injuries and reduces pain and swelling.
Using a foot massage can also help with the cold feet problem that many diabetics experience as a result of poor circulation.
2. How long should I use a foot massager?
The standard recommendation is to use a foot massager for 20-30 minutes at a time. You can repeat the massage twice a day.
Most foot massagers even come with an automatic shut-off timer that turns off the massager after a number of minutes. This is important in case you fall asleep while enjoying the massage.
3. Are foot massagers safe for pregnant women?
Foot massagers that use EMS or electrical muscle stimulation are not safe for pregnant women, people with deep vein thrombosis and those with implanted devices such as a pacemaker.
For pregnant women, we recommend a basic foot spa with rollers, heated water and vibration massage.
Such a good job and love the article! Thank you
I love mine but my varicose veins are flaring up Is this due to it or should I continue please?