Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which the body
produces an inadequate quantity of insulin or the body’s cells
become resistant to insulin. Insulin is necessary for the utilisation
of glucose for energy. The main goal of treatment is adequate
glycaemic control. It has been proved that better glycaemic
control can protect against or delay the complications of diabetes
mellitus. Management includes pharmacological treatment
with a variety of available medications. Insulin may be added to oral medications, or used alone, for better control of diabetes
mellitus. In addition to medication, other non-pharmacological
strategies such as aerobic exercise are advised. Exercise involves
muscle contractions and is known to decrease elevated blood
glucose by the counter release of insulin and improve insulin
sensitivity.(1,2) Other non-pharmacological methods that are popular
in Chinese medicine, such as acupuncture,(3,4) acupressure(5) and
electrical stimulation of specific acupoints, are used to relieve
the symptoms of diabetes mellitus-related complications. The
mechanism of acupressure/electro-acupressure and its effects
on cellular glucose and lactate metabolism are still unclear.
However, a short-term hypoglycaemic effect was seen in animal
models when electro-acupuncture was applied at specific
acupoints, due to various mechanisms.(6,7)