Roughly 60–70% of people with type 2 diabetes will develop peripheral neuropathy — the most common complication of the disease.

With Diabetes Awareness Month underway, it’s a good time to highlight how integrative care supports long-term health and comfort. Acupuncture and related therapies — from electroacupuncture (featured below on Arirang News) to mild moxibustion, herbal decoctions, and foot baths — are showing measurable benefits for patients managing this condition.

It’s also a reminder that lifestyle medicine starts with us. Even a short “self-care tip of the week” or conversation about prevention can help patients make small, lasting changes.

— Kim

PRESS
RESEARCH

From Frontiers in Neurology:

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for painful diabetic neuropathy

A review of 36 clinical trials found that acupuncture can significantly reduce pain and improve nerve function, mood, and quality of life for people with painful diabetic neuropathy — a common complication of diabetes. Compared with standard care, patients receiving acupuncture showed better pain relief and nerve-conduction results, without more side effects. Researchers concluded that acupuncture is a safe and effective complementary therapy for managing diabetic nerve pain.

www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2024.1402458/full

From Frontiers in Endocrinology:

Traditional Chinese medicine for diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a network meta-analysis

Analysis of 95 clinical trials found that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapies — especially acupuncture combined with herbal treatments — can significantly improve nerve function and reduce symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes. Treatments such as acupuncture plus herbal decoctions or footbaths ranked highest for improving nerve conduction and overall symptoms.

www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1596924/full

From Journal of Integrative Nursing:

Effect of mild moxibustion in improving the quality of life of patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy

A clinical study of 55 people with type 2 diabetic nerve pain found that adding gentle moxibustion to standard diabetes care improved quality of life. After 10 weeks, patients receiving mild moxibustion reported less pain and better physical and general health scores compared with those receiving standard treatment alone. Researchers concluded that mild moxibustion may be a safe, effective complementary therapy to help relieve discomfort and support overall wellbeing in diabetic neuropathy.

journals.lww.com/jinm/fulltext/2020/02040/effect_of_mild_moxibustion_in_improving_the.8.aspx?

CEUS

Note: Courses listed are CAB-approved; many also carry other state or NCCAOM approvals. Listings subject to change. Please verify details, CE hours, and eligibility directly with provider. Links point to provider sites; you may need to navigate to the specific registration page.

NOVEMBER

Nov 4: Pacific Symposium (various) In-Person
Pacific College of Health and Science, San Diego, CA

Nov 4: What Real Malpractice Claims Reveal About Risk Law & Ethics
2.5 CEUs • CSOMA

Nov 5: Simplified and Demystified: Medical Records Explained (Part 1 &2 )
4 CEUs • TCMzone, LLC

Nov 6: The Transformational Power of Five-Element Acupuncture
4 CEUs • Lotus Institute of Integrative Medicine

Nov 6: NeuroMeridian Acupuncture: Lower Extremity & Torso In-Person
26 CEUs • Poney Chiang, Irvington, NY

Nov 6: Assessment and Treatment of Injury: Neck, Shoulder & Upper Extremity In-Person
30 CEUs • Acusport Seminar Series LLC, Bradenton, FL

Nov 7: Kiiko Matsumoto's Best Treatments for the Treatment of Pain
15 CEUs • Turning Point Center

Nov 7: Esoteric Acupuncture Foundations In-Person
24 CEUs • HPA, Denver, CO

Nov 8: Rehabilitative Fascia Cosmetic Acupuncture™ In-Person
6 CEUs • Yo San University, Los Angeles, CA

Nov 9: Anti-Inflammatory Acupuncture Points
4 CEUs • Healthcare Medicine Institute (HealthCMi)

Nov 9: Integrative Approach to Gastrointestinal Conditions In-Person
3 CEUs • Yo San University, Los Angeles, CA

Nov 10: Metabolic Dysfunction & Infertility: Functional Medicine Strategies to Improve Oocyte Quality and Implantation
2 CEUs • Healthy Seminars

See All CEUs

Thanks for reading,

Kim Neumann, Publisher

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