Raynaud’s Syndrome - painfully cold feet and hands?
If you have suffered from Raynaud’s disease, I can relate! I do as well. Throughout my life, I’ve noticed there are periods of time where the effects are more severe, and there are times it seems the painful syndrome triggers for no reason. Usually triggered by cold temperatures, the hands and feet become white or blue, feel painful and uncomfortable. This is caused by contraction of small arteries (vascospasm) usually in response to a stimulus of either cold or pressure or both. I feel, in my case, once the reaction to the stimulus starts, it’s hard to prevent the whole cycle of contraction, loss of blood, discomfort and ultimately return of blood flow. I can feel my body “over reacting” to the stimuli, and that’s that! Bye-bye blood!
In most cases, the event doesn’t last terribly long. Dressing warm and preventing the cascade of reaction is the best defense. This time of year when the cold is “new” to our body, I find I’m more prone to episodes, but honestly, a Raynaud’s episode can occur in the heat of summer too!
The good news is we do have plant friends which can help, in addition to some self-care tips. Self-massage in the morning with Safflower oil can be helpful, in addition to feeling great! You can try a body butter which is formulated with additional herbal ingredients as well, massaging into your limbs to promote circulation. Dress warm, and don’t wear gloves or shoes that are tight! Some of the herbs I personally like to use and include in my massage oil and body butter include Safflower, Helichrysum, Lavender, and Yarrow. Try also Hawthorn, Solomon Seal or Stone Root. Keep your nervous system in top shape too, with a healthy diet which includes healthy oils, and consider adding a high quality fish oil supplement - so beneficial for many reasons! Your nervous system is a partner in this vascular response, so don’t neglect that aspect of your health.
I realize, friend, that if you’ve read this far, you probably have this syndrome or have a loved one who does. There’s also a mental health aspect to Raynaud’s in that you can become fearful of triggering an episode, so that holds you back from enjoying fun winter activities. You hate to complain, yet again about being “cold” so you suffer in silence. Your normal exercise routine can be easily disrupted because the pressure on your feet or hands makes it uncomfortable or even impossible. I’ve struggled through many a yoga class with “dead” feet where there is zero blood flow in my feet - no fun at all, and definitely not “ZEN”.
Take heart, there is help out there, if not an outright “cure”. And very often, throughout the course of your life, the symptoms may diminish or even disappear. In the meantime….
Stay warm, healthy, and cozy this winter! Enjoy a hot cup of tea and try some self massage.