Biofeedback Therapy For Raynaud’s Disease Symptoms
Everyone has felt the discomfort associated with cold hands. But for individuals with Raynaud’s Disease, cold weather and/or stress can cause blood vessels to constrict, leading to coldness, numbness, color change, throbbing and swelling of extremities including fingers and toes.
Biofeedback has been shown to be highly effective in treating Raynaud’s Disease. Research by members of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback demonstrates that thermal biofeedback is especially effective in the treatment of primary Raynaud’s Disease, with some reports indicating that 80-90% of patients report improved circulation and a reduced frequency of symptoms.
Raynaud’s Disease is a syndrome of the circulatory system, not of the skin. Small vessels that typically feed the skin with oxygen and warm blood constrict through a process called “vasospasm.” Because blood is not flowing freely to the extremities they turn white, then blue, and become cold and numb. Vasospasms are brought on by stress and cold, making winter especially difficult for those with the disease. Sufferers face two challenges: 1) to reduce the stress that might cause the initial vasoconstriction, and 2) to reverse the constriction once it occurs.
Biofeedback is a mind-body technique using electronic instruments to help individuals gain awareness and control over their body and mind. During biofeedback sessions, instruments measure muscle activity, skin temperature, respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, brain electrical activity and/or blood flow. For thermal biofeedback a thermistor is gently attached to the hand, foot or other clinically indicated site with a small piece of tape in order to measure peripheral skin temperature. Patients learn to control the constriction and dilation of their blood vessels during about 20 training sessions.
Finding a certified biofeedback therapist is simple. The Biofeedback Certification Institute of America hosts an online provider directory that is the only resource for finding certified practitioners throughout the country. To access the online directory, visit www.bcia.org and click on the Find a Practitioner link at the top of the page. You can search the directory by zip code, state or name.
BCIA is the only organization recognized worldwide granting certification to biofeedback practitioners. BCIA was established in 1981 with the mission of protecting the general public by establishing strict standards for biofeedback practitioners. There are approximately 1,500 health care professionals who currently hold certification in general biofeedback, EEG biofeedback, or pelvic muscle dysfunction. Many clinicians have more than one of these certifications.
The Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) works to advance the development, dissemination and utilization of knowledge about applied psychophysiology and biofeedback. Visit the AAPB Web site at www.aapb.org.
Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB)
10200 W. 44th Ave. #304
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
www.aapb.org
Editor’s Note: While members have expressed interest in exploring alternative therapies, there is to date no definitive clinical evidence that these treatments can successfully be used to alleviate Raynaud’s symptoms. Research has been hampered by study design issues and the inability to reliably compare findings across trials. We advocate the need for better quality, more consistent study methodologies on alternative treatment options. Please keep in mind that even among clinically-proven treatment measures, no one solution will work for every patient. Please speak with your doctor before trying any of the following treatment strategies.
Reprinted from Medical News Today
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September 1st, 2010 at 4:41 pm
thank you very much for the advice. i will make sure i ask my doctor before starting this treatment though. my hands and feet are constantly cold all the time and the doctors are thinking that it is raynauds disease because it is hereditary in the family. i however was told by another type of doctor to overdress in the winter time and make sure i wear a hat on my head. i don’t know how i got rauynauds disease but unfortunately i have it and that is part of life. part of life is making sacrafices sometimes. and even though my body is always cold i will make sure i bring an extra pair of clothes to school like pants and a long sleeve shirt with a sweat shirt too. and in the winter time i need to know what type of good gloves to get to keep my hands cold but not too expensive? please let me know on at my email address! thanks, Amanda!
September 2nd, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Amanda have you looked at the discussion forum for posts on gloves? Also there are several products endorsed by the Raynaud’s Association to keep hands warm. Click on Support on the yellow bar at the top of the page to find both of these areas listed. I hope this helps.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:18 pm
my cousine has all the symptoms referred as far as the hands are concerned, when she is cold they get blue and they hurt her. she has visited many doctors about the cure of raynaud’s syndrome but she hasn’t got any sure answer, I would like to ask you about the medicine,are there medicines that can help her. Finally, i would be grateful if you could inform me whether this syndrome can be cured or she has to sustain it for a lifetime.
yours faithfully,
Roza.
October 3rd, 2010 at 10:13 am
Hello roza,
No, there is no cure for Raynaud’s. Preventing attacks is important by keeping the core body and extremities warm. There are prescription medicines that may help. A calcium channel blocker such as nifedipine is the most prescribed drug for Raynaud’s.
Be sure and read the posts on the discussion forum which can be found by selecting the Support button at the top of this page.
October 8th, 2010 at 7:33 am
I was medically discharged from the army and i am taking Nifedopine to help with the Raynard’s Phenomenon.
I am wanting to go back in the Army but i have to be completely recoverd. Is there any other way that this can be cured????
Yes i keep myself warm and eat healthily and exercise a lot to keep myself fit and healthy. But am i missing something. I get some dizzy spells at times and my heart rushes and makes me feel ill at times and it can last for an hour. I went to put my head down and tried to sleep. Eventually i did for half an hour and felt better and normal. Why is this? Is this part of the Raynaud’s or something else? Probably the medication-but its not strong enough to do that. I’ll be seing my GP on monday and have a heart monitor soon. But what are your views about it? This could help people understand a bit more.
Although your information is great! One of the best i have ever seen.