Attendees of the first Raynaud’s Education & Support Day, held July 31 at the Sheraton Boston Hotel, learned how therapies such as acupuncture, massage, biofeedback and yoga can prevent or minimize Raynaud’s attacks; that “healing foods” such as avocados can boost the body’s defenses against disease; and how to guard against stressors that can trigger spasms.

The full-day program of lectures, workshops and product demonstrations was held in conjunction with the Scleroderma Foundation’s annual patient conference, whose attendees attended many of the Raynaud’s sessions. (Although few people with Raynaud’s have scleroderma, those with systemic scleroderma usually have Raynaud’s as a component of their disease.)

The agenda of Raynaud’s-specific talks included sessions about the medical aspects of the disease, nutrition, alternative therapies, advocacy, products that help to prevent Raynaud’s attacks and/or treat ulcers, and strategies Raynaud’s sufferers can use for coping with situations in the workplace, the marketplace and at home.  [Read more...]