Diabetes Program (Done with Diabetes)
What is diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease in which the body reaches a state of elevated fasting blood glucose due to not producing enough or responding normally to insulin.
In type 1 diabetes the bodies immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. While type 2 diabetes happens due to the body becoming resistant to insulin and is associated with genetics and lifestyle choices. Left unmanaged T2D can contribute to health complications such as neuropathy (peripheral and autonomic), nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and cardiovascular diseases.
Management of T2DM
The management of T2DM is a combination of regular physical activity, healthy eating and medication such as insulin injections. A team of healthcare professionals are available to provide guidance in order to help educate and establish a routine to achieve greater general health and wellbeing. This team may consist of a General practitioner (GP), Dietician, Diabetes Educator, Endocrinologist, Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Podiatrist, Pharmacist and/or Psychologist.
Regular physical activity and exercise can play a vital role helping people manage diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2). Although exercise cannot reverse damage to the pancreas, it is ideal in improving the way muscles respond to insulin and helping the body regulate blood glucose levels for a period after exercise.
Other longer-term benefits of regular exercise include:
- Improved insulin response
- Lowers blood glucose
- Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol
- Reduced risk of developing diabetes related complications
- Improved body composition
- Improved aerobic capacity
- Improved mood, reduced stress
- Improved bone health
- Improved muscle health, strength and function
Recommended physical activity includes 150min/week of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise spread out during the week, with no more than 2 consecutive days without activity. As well as 2-3 half hour sessions of resistance (strength) training on non-consecutive days each week.
Meet our Exercise Physiologists
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Andrew ZhaoExercise Physiologist
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Jess MerciecaExercise Physiologist
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Deb EvenissExercise Physiologist
Andrew Zhao
Andrew Zhao
Andrew has a firm belief that exercise is universal and will benefit you no matter your background, conditions, and age. Exercise is the key to moving better, longevity, and taking control of your body and your life. He also believes in a holistic approach when delivering treatment as taking the client’s best interests into account and collaborating with them will establish a positive relationship and ensure the best treatment plan. Having experienced his fair share of injuries, Andrew has an interest in injury management, chronic pain management, and sports strength and conditioning. He has also gained interests in other conditions during his placements including diabetes, CVD and neurological conditions.
Outside of the clinic Andrew competes in volleyball and goes to the gym regularly.
Jess Mercieca
Jess Mercieca
Jess gained further experience working in a private hospital, seeing patients post-operatively and assisting in their recovery through a combination of gym-based exercise and hydrotherapy. Furthermore, Jess treated patients with chronic pain, muscle atrophy and cancer.
Jess ensures each client is treated as an individual with consideration of the various lifestyle and psychological factors that interplay with recovery. Her focus is to empower people through exercise and guide them towards self management.
Outside of work Jess is interested in strength training, swimming and hiking and enjoys the beach nearby her home.
Deb Eveniss
Deb Eveniss
Deb began her health and fitness career working as a personal trainer after obtaining her Certificate III and IV in Fitness. Here she developed a keen interest in healthy aging, falls prevention and cancer and exercise. Deb then decided to further her knowledge and experience by further study and becoming an exercise physiologist.
Deb has a keen interest in helping those with cancer, neurological conditions such as MS, HD, PD and stroke and brain injury survivors. More recently she has been researching and treating fatigue conditions including Long Covid, ME/CFS, POTS and EDS. Deb strongly believes that “movement is medicine” and wants to help people enjoy all that safe and healthy movement can bring.
In her spare time Deb is heavily involved in parkrun, soccer, trail running, hiking, kayaking and raising two very busy teenagers.
What’s does the program involve?
- A 1 :1 assessment with an accredited exercise physiologist focused on guidance with exercise and creating a plan to assist in managing diabetes (covered with a T2 referral from a GP)
- 8 group classes with an education component focused on diabetes (covered with a T2 referral from a GP)
- Use of gym equipment for independent training following a written program for you
How can DMP help?
At DMP an Accredited Exercise Physiologist will be able to help educate, encourage and support you in achieving your physical goals and guide you in managing your diabetes. This includes monitoring your blood sugar before, during and after exercise as well as providing a specific exercise program for you.
To get started assist you in the start of your management simply click on the Diabetes type 2 referral link and visit your GP prior to seeing an Accredited Exercise Physiologists at DMP. Link: https://dmphysio.com.au/referral-templates/