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

Reprinted from Medical News Today
© 20109 MediLexicon International Ltd.  All rights reserved.

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. 

“We’re very pleased with the success of our first event,” said Lynn Wunderman, founder and chair of the Raynaud’s Association, “Feedback from attendees regarding the quality of our session content has been very positive, and that’s the most important measure of the value we’re providing Raynaud’s patients and their families.

The kick-off speaker, Francesco Boin, M.D., discussed the medical aspects of Raynaud’s and treatment options.   Dr. Boin, assistant professor of medicine and staff physician at the Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center in Baltimore, is involved in the clinical care of patients with primary Raynaud’s, scleroderma and other systemic rheumatic diseases.  (A video of his talk will be available from the Raynaud’s Association in the coming weeks.)

“Healing” Foods

Another popular session was a talk by Mary Ann Nirdlinger, M.D., a nutritionist who talked about the healing powers of foods.  Dr. Nirdlinger, a former anesthesiologist, had an epiphany of sorts when she investigated the histories of heart patients who kept returning to the hospital after treatment.  “Poor nutrition seemed to be a common denominator,” she said. 

A basic component of optimal nutrition is proper fat balance, she explained; i.e., the ratio of Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids in the diet.  Large amounts of Omega 6 saturated fats add excess body fat, create stress to the joints, and convert to high cholesterol — which sets the path for many chronic illnesses.   Foods that contain these fats include cookies, crackers, sauces, salad dressings, baked goods and chips.  “Food manufacturers add them because they add shelf life to the products,” Dr. Nirdlinger explained.

The foods plentiful in Omega 3 fatty acids include fish (bigger, colder water fish in particular), grass-fed beef and dairy, fruits (avocados are especially good), vegetables, soybeans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, wheat germ and flaxseed (ground very fine for those with digestion problems).  These have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer attributes and keep the vascular system supple, especially important for Raynaud’s sufferers. 

A guideline for making good food choices is to select foods that are the closest to the way nature made them, says Dr. Nirdlinger.  “Choose whole grains and foods with lots of color,” she advises.  Probiotics (yogurt, kimchee, sauerkraut and cheeses have them) and phytochemicals also are important.  Phytochemicals include tea, soybeans, nuts, seeds, grape juice, cruciferous vegetables (e.g., broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage), onions, garlic and olive oil.  Wine in moderate amounts helps blood flow in Raynaud’s patients, she added.

Alternative Treatments

Another session featured four specialists in non-invasive treatments for Raynaud’s sufferers.  Kathleen Randolph, a yoga practitioner, noted that yoga increases circulation and aids in stress relief.  “Proper breathing helps calm the mind, reduces blood pressure, aids respiration and moves oxygen into the muscles to help your body become more efficient,” she noted. 

Although acupuncture has been used for thousands of years, said licensed acupuncturist Emily Konstan, no one knows why it works.  The theory is that the fine needles placed in the proper points in the body (there are over 300 acupuncture points) stimulate nerve receptors.  Few studies have been conducted specifically about acupuncture and Raynaud’s, Konstan says, but the results thus far indicate that the treatment can help circulation and decrease spasms.  The Community Acupuncture Network (http://www.communityacupuncturenetwork.org/), a nonprofit organization, makes acupuncture more affordable and accessible by promoting acupuncture in community settings priced on a sliding scale ranging within $15-40 a treatment.

Another stress-reducing method is massage, explained Jessica Weagle, a massage therapist who is a Raynaud’s sufferer herself.  Massage increases relaxation, helps circulation and eases muscular discomfort, she claims.  A safe hands-on technique called myofascial release involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion.

With biofeedback, a method combining “Eastern philosophy and Western gadgets,” patients can train themselves to control, and possibly prevent, Raynaud’s attacks, says psychologist and biofeedback practitioner Inna Khazan, PhD.  Sensors are attached to various parts of the body to measure sweat, heart rate, temperature and breathing.  Using the feedback, the patient harnesses the power of mind-body medicine to control physiology.   With practice, the patient can make the changes (i.e., warm his/her hands) without the aid of the machines.  According to Dr. Khazan, studies show that the method helped up to 80-90% of people with primary Raynaud’s but was not effective for those secondary Raynaud’s (those with underlying medical issues).  A good resource for qualified biofeedback specialists is the Biofeedback Certificate International Alliance (http://www.bcia.org/), which certifies individuals who meet education and training standards in biofeedback.

Be Your Own Best Advocate

The presenters emphasized that taking a proactive approach to our own health care is crucial with Raynaud’s – as it is with any medical condition. 

Jan Gnall, a health care professional with degrees in biology, medical technology and public health administration, knows the problems firsthand as a Raynaud’s sufferer.  Her session at the Raynaud’s conference emphasized the need for patients to educate themselves and, often, their doctors, as well.  “Document your attacks, know your triggers, minimize your stressors and share any new developments (color changes, ulcers, medication side effects, etc.) with your doctor,” she advises. 

Gnall uses the erectile dysfunction drug Cialis to treat her Raynaud’s – obtaining coverage for the off-label use by getting her doctor to write a letter to the insurance company.  She urged sufferers to talk with other patients about treatments that work for them.  “Investigate new clinical trials that you may join,” she added.  “Don’t wait for your doctor to tell you.”   

Proper planning while traveling and at work also helps Gnall be her best advocate.  She brings healthy snacks on trips, carries gloves and sweaters, and makes sure to talk to employers about her need to keep warm.

Sharing Ideas

Exchanging ideas with other Raynaud’s sufferers was a highlight of the Raynaud’s Education & Support Day.  While Gnall talked about using Cialis to curb her Raynaud’s, other patients shared their own tips.  At a roundtable session moderated by Lynn Wunderman, patients discussed techniques that helped them on the job and in other common situations.  One uses Viagra, another said that Dreft laundry detergent mixed with water helps him get rid of his ulcers.  Another patient talked about fingerless gloves to keep warm while typing.  Taping up the air vents directly above the work station also helps, said one sufferer.  Small space heaters – even a warming reptile lamp – were steps some use in the workplace.
 

Using the resources of the Raynaud’s Association and its website – filled with ideas, an active patient forum and product reviews – is an effective method upon which all agreed. 

#   #   #

What are your ideas?  What products work for you?  Share them on the patient forum!  Raynaud’s Discussion Forum

The informative program includes:

• News on Medical Treatments
• Nutritional Needs
• Mind-Body Techniques
• Advocacy Tips
• Live Product Demos
• Discussion Group Workshop

Conference Program

 Francesco Boin, MD

Professor of Medicine
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Division of Rheumatology

Medical aspects and treatments for Raynaud’s sufferers  

 Mary Ann Nirdlinger, M.D

Nutritional needs of people with Raynaud’s 

Mind/Body Techniques Panel:

Hear from specialists involved in:

Acupuncture
Biofeedback
Massage Therapy
Yoga  

Managing Raynaud’s: A Patient’s Perspective

Jan Gnall, Author
Be Your Best Advocate 

Participate in live demos of warming products for Raynaud’s sufferers!

 Raynaud’s Discussion Group Workshop 

Moderated Open Forum:

Discuss Lifestyle Issues
Share Coping Strategies
Brainstorm New Products and Services

  

Raynaud’s Education and Support Day

Saturday, July 31st
Conference Workshops:
10:15 AM to 5:30 PM
Sheraton Hotel
Boston, MA
Register for $75 Now!  

 Download the Raynaud’s Conference Registration Form
(PDF Version) 

Or Click to Register Online Now!

 

What you probably don’t know is that the company’s spokesperson Stephanie Rainey is a Raynaud’s sufferer.   Hear Stephanie’s story:

Stephanie Rainey for Gerbing Core Heat Fleece Gloves

Stephanie’s passions are hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, archery, backpacking – if it’s an outdoor sport, it’s on Stephanie’s “to do” list.  She shares her outdoor adventures as host of the TV show Stepping Outdoors, a cable program about the people and places of the White Mountains of Northern Arizona.  Stephanie finds that the warmth of Gerbing’s allows her to tolerate the cold temperatures she battles in cold weather sports, while the gloves’ flexibility allows her to operate a camera – important in her role as photographer, videographer and freelance writer.

Come meet Stephanie at our National Conference July 31st.  She’ll be participating in our live product demo session!  For more information or to register for the conference, click here.

For more information about Gerbing’s Core Heat Fleece Gloves, click here for our Product Review.

Vote for the Raynaud’s Association!

Join us for a full day of informative and involving workshops:

Saturday, July 31st
Conference Workshops:
10:15 AM to 5:30 PM
Sheraton Hotel
Boston, MA
Register for $75 Now! 

 Download the Raynaud’s Conference Registration Form
(PDF Version) 

Or Click to Register Online Now!

The Guide contains:

• Overview on Raynaud’s Phenomenon – causes, symptoms, treatments, prevention
• Reporter’s File with Patient Stories
• Expert Q&A with Dr. Fredrick Wigley (member of our Advisory Board)
• Questions to Ask Your Doctor
• Active Clinical Trials
• 5 Things to Know About Your Condition

We worked with the reporter to identify sufferers and medical experts to interview for the content.  Hope you find it useful material.  Tell your friends and family to help us get the word out on Raynaud’s!

GoodSearch will donate a $1 for every toolbar that is downloaded between April 6th at 9am EST and April 9th at 9am EST up to $5,000!! Please download the Raynaud’s Association toolbar starting April 6th by following this link - Raynaud’s Association Toolbar

Our new Raynaud’s Association toolbar is free to download and allows you to raise money for our cause every time you search or shop online! Once added to IE or Firefox, each time you shop at more than 1,300 stores (from Amazon to Zazzle!) a percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to the Raynaud’s Association – at no cost to you (and you may even save money as the toolbar provides coupons and deals as well!). The toolbar also has a search box and each time you search the Internet, about a penny is donated to our organization. 

Please hurry and do this now so that we can earn the $1 bonus per toolbar!  And, please pass this along to all of your friends. The two minutes it takes to add this toolbar to your browser can make a lifetime of difference for our cause!

Get the toolbar NOW!  Download the Raynaud’s Association Toolbar 

Patients can nominate their favorite healthcare professional – whether that be a rheumatologist who has worked diligently to find the right therapies to control a patient’s symptoms, a nurse who calms an anxious JA patient during exams or the family physician who realized the aches and pains were something more serious – by mailing in a short form or by visiting the My Doc Rocks page on www.letsmovetogether.org   Once nominated, both the patient and the healthcare professional will receive an invitation to their local Arthritis Walk event, where they will meet with other healthcare providers and patients who have the same type of relationship.

For additional information, visit us on the web at http://lmt.arthritis.org/arthritis-walk/my-doc-rocks-form.php.

The date is:
Saturday
July 31, 2010
Sheraton Boston Hotel
Boston, Massachusetts

Watch our web site and your mailbox for more information.