According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Diabetes is caused by an imbalance of the cyclical flow of Qi within the meridians and organ systems. This particular imbalance produces heat that depletes the body's fluids and Qi causing symptoms such as:
Excessive Thirst 
Excessive Urination
Excessive Eating
Poor Wound Healing
Infections
Irritability
Blurry Vision
Fatigue
Lethargy
Unexplained Weight Loss

In treating diabetes, Oriental medicine offers a way to address each patient individually to eliminate the symptoms associated with diabetes and reduce the need for insulin.  The practitioner may choose to use a variety of techniques during treatment including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, bodywork, lifestyle/dietary recommendations and energetic exercises. The treatment for diabetes will focus on regulating the circulation of blood and Qi and balancing the organ systems to improve pancreatic function and address internal heat and the depletion of fluids.

Acupuncture
The acupuncture points used to treat diabetes are all over the body and on several meridians. A point on the back, called 'Yishu' (located on the back, lateral to thoracic vertebrae 8) is often used and has proven effective in recent studies published by the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine for controlling the function of the pancreas and blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

Chinese Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine is an important component to the treatment of diabetes.  Different formulas may be effective for different people, so practitioners may try several different approaches.  Commonly used Chinese herbal formulas are Liu Wei Di Huang, and Da Bu Yin Wan. Studies have shown that American ginseng can improve glucose tolerance and is often added to herbal formulas.  Other herbs are added to an herbal formula to treat complications of diabetes such as peripheral neuropathy and blurry vision.