The most dangerous aspect of Diabetes is the affect it has on the vascular system (blood vessels). Heart disease is the main cause of reduced life expectancy in patients with diabetes. Other conditions caused by diabetes include nephropathy (kidney disease) and retinopathy (blindness). Men with diabetes are also more likely to experience erectile dysfunction (ED). The most common medications (Viagra and Cialis) used to treat ED act by dilating the blood vessels. Unfortunately, because of the effects that Diabetes has on the circulatory system, these drugs don’t work well in patients with chronic diabetes, especially when it’s not well managed.

First introduced in the 1970s to treat people with kidney or gallstones, low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LI-ESWT) has since evolved to successfully treat many conditions, including erectile dysfunction. It does this by causing painless, mechanical stress to the treatment site, triggering a wound-healing response that stimulates blood vessel growth and improved blood flow.

Research shows up to 70% of diabetic ED sufferers experience improvement with shockwave therapy. This new therapy is available at Integrative Health and Rehabilitation in Denver, CO. Our office utilizes the patented Alma Duo device to provide the gold standard in shock wave technology.

Men suffering from Diabetes should first consult with their endocrinologist to ensure their diabetes is being properly managed. Next, testosterone levels should be tested. Low testosterone levels can be treated with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Optimizing hormone levels has many benefits, including improved sexual function, decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, and protection against Alzheimer’s disease.

Diabetic men also see the most improvement in their condition when they receive regular ongoing maintenance treatment sessions.

Treatment typically recommended is an initial, intensive course of Duo shockwave therapy twice a week for 6 treatment weeks (12 sessions total). After completing the initial course of shockwave therapy, we continue with bi-monthly sessions to maintain the benefits of the shockwave therapy. We offer a discounted annual subscription for diabetic patients to take advantage of shockwave therapy.

Alma Duo shockwave therapy for ED does not interfere with oral diabetes medications such as metformin, pioglitazone, Avandia (rosiglitazone), glipizide, Prandin (repaglinide), Januvia (sitagliptin), Tradjenta, Janumet, or Kombiglyze. Men taking insulin (e.g. Lantus, Toujeo, Novolog, Levemir, Humalog, Humulin and insulin glargine). can also safely receive shockwave therapy without any negative effect on diabetes control.