People with diabetes can better control and reduce the impact of diabetes with increased physical activity. The rehabiltitation experts at the Institute for Athletic Medicine can help. Our team has the background and knowledge to partner with you to create a customized activity program to help improve the management of your diabetes.

Helping you become more active
Our physical therapists can help you become more active through the Diabetes Activity Program offered by the Institute for Athletic Medicine. We will help you safely incorporate activity into your lifestyle and provide you the tools and encouragement to make activity part of your life.

Working one-on-one in a medical setting, you will learn how to be active even with limited movement, pain or a pre-existing injury. Together we will create a customized activity plan that fits your lifestyle and physical ability.

The goal of the program is to educate you on the basics of activity so that after just a few sessions with us you can be active on your own wherever or whenever it works for you.

Getting started
The first step is to determine your ability for activity. Once a baseline is established, a personalized activity program is designed to increase your endurance and strength. Throughout this process we will reinforce how to incorporate glucose monitoring to help you understand your body's response to activity. As you progress, light weight lifting and activities to improve balance may be added.

To schedule an appointment
We invite you to discuss the Diabetes Activity Program with your provider, nurse or certified diabetes educator for a referral to the program. You may also call 612-672-7100 to schedule a visit at one of the Institute for Athletic Medicine's 29 convenient Twin Cities metro locations. Mention that you would like to know more about the Diabetes Activity Program.

Learn more.
Check out this Physical Activity Quiz  by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to learn more about the important role of activity for improved health.

Minnesota Physician, included the article entitled, "Diabetes and physical activity " by Kecia Erickson, MS, PT, ATC, in the November 2008, Vol XXII, No. 8 edition.