@A DiabetesTeam Member The weakness and balance issues could be due to other factors apart from neuropathy.
Have you had nerve electro conductivity tests done for your legs?
Balance issues can be part of getting old. When at home try and walk only in your socks or those sock slipper thingys as this will connect your feet to the ground better than stiff shoes.
I have Cervical Spondolytic Myelopathy and if I don't do a lot of walking and/or other exercises my legs get weak and I start falling over.
And of course as AI points out good blood sugar management is a must.
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A Diabete...
October 10
Your background as a Home Health Aide clearly gives you a real advantage here — you know what's at stake and you're already being proactive. That matters a lot.
To answer directly: currently, there is no cure for diabetic neuropathy, so slowing progression is the main goal. The good news is that keeping blood sugar Show Full Answer
Your background as a Home Health Aide clearly gives you a real advantage here — you know what's at stake and you're already being proactive. That matters a lot.
To answer directly: currently, there is no cure for diabetic neuropathy, so slowing progression is the main goal. The good news is that keeping blood sugar well-managed is the most powerful tool available, and it can genuinely make a difference in how things progress. The weakness and balance issues you're describing are related to how nerve damage affects your body's ability to sense its own position — something called proprioception. Basically, the nerves that tell your brain where your feet and legs are in space aren't communicating as well as they should.
The great news is that targeted exercise can genuinely help with this. Here are some approaches worth exploring:
- Strength training for the legs helps compensate for muscle weakness
- Balance-focused exercises can retrain your body's stability systems
- Chair-based exercises are a safe option if standing balance is a concern
- Water therapy or aqua fitness reduces joint and fall risk while still building strength
- Physical therapy (PT) can provide a guided, personalized program
Many DiabetesTeam members have found PT especially helpful for building core and leg strength safely. Since you're already exercising and your numbness hasn't worsened, you're doing something right. Talking to your doctor about a formal PT referral could help take your current routine to the next level — especially for balance work. Also, daily foot checks remain important even without pain, since nerve damage can mask injuries.
October 9
@Lege Thanks for the input lege.
October 11
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