Inspired by the deaths of her brother and uncles from diabetic-related conditions, New Amsterdam, Berbice-based physiotherapist Michelle Baird is offering food products that cater to people who have diabetes or diabetic-related conditions as well as pain management.
Nine months ago, she founded a Diabetic Clinic through which she seeks “to reverse diabetes and provide pain relief in a holistic manner through diet, therapy and support.”
A former teacher for 15 years and a single parent of a 12-year-old daughter, Baird offers alternative sources of food that are healthier and more beneficial for persons suffering from diabetes. Her clinic customises meal plans to accommodate people from different cultures. Among the alternatives offered are pea powder, sweet potato flour, moringa powder, eddo flour, baked sweet potato chips and seasoned sea moss. Baird’s daughter helps her behind the scenes.
However, Baird said that dieting and exercise are not the only way of controlling diabetes. She explained that discarding diabetic medications, irregular testing, consuming unprescribed medications, overdose of herbal medicines and misuse of carbohydrates are among some of the erroneous practices of people with diabetes.
The services offered at the clinic include therapy for stroke patients, wound dressing, reflexology, pedicures, foot scrubs and massages, and heat therapy for pain, all for diabetics. Specialized therapies are cryotherapy and infrared therapy. Services offered at the clinic are both mechanical and manual. The clinic also aids in eliminating the myths about diabetes.
Baird explained that as her passion grew, she was eager to explore solutions to neuropathy (a result of damaged nerves located outside the brain and spinal cord) which often causes weakness, numbness and pain in the hands and feet.
She added that people suffering from diabetes or diabetic-related conditions should lower their carbohydrate intake as carbs are known to be the main reason for a high blood sugar level.
Meanwhile, some of the products offered at the clinic are expected to be available at supermarkets and pharmacies soon, she said, as the distribution process is underway.
