Diabetes is a long-term condition that affects how your body regulates blood glucose. It can influence energy, circulation, nerve health, healing, and day-to-day wellbeing. If you are looking for broader general health information, this page also connects with support from Exercise Physiology, which can play an important role in diabetes care.

Many people with diabetes benefit from a team approach. Your GP, endocrinologist, dietitian, podiatrist, optometrist, physiotherapist, and exercise physiologist may all contribute to better long-term management. At PhysioWorks, we commonly help people who need support with safe exercise, foot and lower limb concerns, balance, mobility, and confidence returning to activity.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin, does not use insulin effectively, or both. As a result, blood glucose levels can remain too high for extended periods. Over time, this may affect the nerves, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, skin, heart, and feet.

The two main forms are type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes usually involves an absolute insulin deficiency. In contrast, type 2 diabetes is more common and involves insulin resistance, where the body becomes less responsive to insulin over time.

Some people are also diagnosed with pre-diabetes, where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetes range. Early lifestyle changes during pre-diabetes may reduce the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes.

Why Does Diabetes Affect More Than Blood Sugar?

Diabetes is not only a blood sugar issue. High blood glucose can influence circulation, tissue healing, nerve function, and energy levels. That is why some people notice foot pain, numbness, slower recovery from injuries, reduced walking tolerance, blurred vision, or greater fatigue during daily activity.

For related issues, you may also find it helpful to read about nerve pain, foot pain, and pain.

Common Symptoms and Complications of Diabetes

Symptoms vary between people. Some have no obvious symptoms early on, while others notice thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, slower healing, or recurrent infections. If diabetes remains poorly controlled over time, it may contribute to peripheral neuropathy, reduced balance, foot ulcers, cardiovascular disease, and other health problems.

Foot care matters because diabetes can reduce sensation and delay healing. This means that a minor blister, rubbing area, or skin injury may become a more serious problem if it is missed. Regular foot checks and suitable footwear are important parts of long-term care.

How Can Exercise Help Diabetes?

Regular exercise is one of the most practical ways to help manage diabetes. It may improve insulin sensitivity, support weight management, improve cardiovascular health, build strength, and help many people feel more energetic. Structured exercise can also improve walking tolerance, balance, and confidence.

Exercise still needs to match the person. If blood glucose is poorly controlled, you feel unwell, or ketones are present, exercise may need to be delayed or modified. For national guidance, see the Australian physical activity and exercise guidelines.

How Can Exercise Physiology Help Diabetes?

Exercise Physiology can help you build a safe, structured exercise plan rather than relying on general advice alone. This is useful if you are unsure where to start, returning after illness, managing other health conditions, or wanting better long-term control.

Our Exercise Physiology service supports people with chronic conditions, reduced fitness, and long-term health goals. This can be especially helpful if you need graded exercise, monitoring, accountability, and a program that suits your current capacity.

Can Physiotherapy Help People With Diabetes?

Physiotherapy may help when diabetes affects movement, strength, or recovery. It can assist with joint stiffness, balance issues, painful feet, lower limb problems, walking confidence, or return to exercise after injury. Physiotherapy also works well alongside Exercise Physiology when you need both symptom support and a longer-term exercise plan.

When Should You Seek Professional Help for Diabetes?

You should seek medical review promptly if you have poorly controlled blood glucose, significant fatigue, vision changes, numbness, burning pain, foot wounds, signs of infection, or reduced walking confidence. Early help is also sensible if you know exercise would help but you are unsure how to begin safely.

Regular review from your doctor remains important. Depending on your needs, your broader care team may also include a podiatrist, dietitian, diabetes educator, physiotherapist, and exercise physiologist.

What to Do Next

If diabetes is affecting your movement, energy, foot health, or confidence with exercise, start with a professional assessment. A tailored plan is usually more practical and more sustainable than general advice.

If your main goal is safe, structured exercise progression, booking an Exercise Physiology appointment may be the best next step. If pain, stiffness, walking difficulty, or balance issues are holding you back, physiotherapy may also help.

Diabetes FAQs

What type of exercise is best for diabetes?

A mix of aerobic exercise, resistance training, and general daily activity is often recommended for diabetes. The best plan depends on your age, current fitness, blood glucose control, joint health, and any complications. Many people do well with a gradual program that combines walking, cycling, strength work, and balance training.

Can Exercise Physiology help with diabetes?

Yes. Exercise Physiology can help by providing a tailored exercise plan that matches your health status, symptoms, medications, and goals. This can be especially useful if you have low confidence with exercise, multiple health issues, reduced fitness, or want help progressing safely over time.

Can diabetes cause foot pain or numbness?

Yes. Diabetes can affect the nerves and circulation, especially in the feet. Some people notice numbness, tingling, burning pain, altered balance, or slower healing. These changes should be taken seriously because reduced sensation can make foot injuries easier to miss.

Should you exercise if your blood glucose is high?

Sometimes, but not always. Exercise can help manage blood glucose, but it may need to be delayed or modified if levels are very high, you feel unwell, or ketones are present. Your doctor, diabetes educator, or exercise physiologist can help you decide what is safe for your situation.

Can physiotherapy help people with diabetes?

Physiotherapy may help when diabetes contributes to pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, tendon overload, foot problems, balance changes, or difficulty returning to exercise. It can also work alongside Exercise Physiology when you need both symptom support and a longer-term exercise plan.

When should someone with diabetes get their feet checked?

Feet should be checked regularly, especially if you have numbness, tingling, burning, poor healing, skin changes, or a history of ulcers. You should also get prompt review if you notice a new wound, redness, swelling, or footwear rubbing that does not settle quickly.

References

1. American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. Facilitating Positive Health Behaviors and Well-being to Improve Health Outcomes: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2023. Diabetes Care. 2023;46(Suppl 1):S68-S96.
2. Colberg SR, Sigal RJ, Yardley JE, Riddell MC, Dunstan DW, Dempsey PC, et al. Physical Activity/Exercise and Diabetes: A Position Statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2016;39(11):2065-2079.
3. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Physical Activity and Exercise. Accessed March 18, 2026.
4. Diabetes Australia. About Diabetes. Accessed March 18, 2026.