My friend’s mum was wincing in agony. It was a winter’s afternoon in the early 1980s. I noticed her pain, but did not dare say anything. Later, I asked my friend what was wrong with her. ‘Oh nothing! It’s Raynaud’s disease or something. She’s had it for ages…’
Well, it may have been nothing to him, but it looked pretty painful to me. And I’ve discovered since that sufferers can find the changes that occur with this disorder both painful, frightening, and sometimes very serious. It’s no fun to live with.
What is Raynaud’s disease?
Raynaud’s disease is a circulatory disorder where contact with cold surfaces (or sometimes even just cold air) causes episodic numbness and pain in the extremities; especially hands and feet. Sometimes the nose and even the ears can be deprived of blood. During a Raynaud’s episode blood vessels constrict, reducing blood and oxygen levels in the afflicted areas. Occasionally Raynaud’s disease may be classified as ‘Secondary Raynaud’s’, which means that it may be a symptom of some other disorder, so it is important to be medically checked out just to be sure.
Colour changes in Raynaud’s
Because blood and oxygen leave the affected areas, skin colour can temporarily change. So the area may first become pale as the blood supply reduces, then turn blue as oxygen supply is cut off. When eventually the blood returns, the skin may turn bright red. There can be a great deal of pain when blood starts to return to these areas. Anxiety and fear of another attack can also bring on a Raynaud’s episode.
Hypnosis can certainly change the anxiety part, but what about actually changing what the body is doing using hypnosis?
Hypnosis and Raynaud’s disease
I have used hypnosis many times to help people lower blood pressure, manage pain and even cure warts. To cure warts, (2) blood flow needs to be restricted from the wart. We can also decrease bleeding to some extent using hypnosis.
Of course, I knew nothing about hypnosis back when my mum’s friend was so obviously suffering, but I have worked with Raynaud’s sufferers since.(3) It seems natural to use hypnosis in a download especially for Raynaud’s disease sufferers.
I hope this new session ‘Ease Raynaud’s disease’ helps improve this debilitating condition for many people.
All the best.
Mark
(1) Very rarely Raynaud’s disease has resulted in amputation.
(2) ‘The hypnotic control of blood flow and pain: the cure of warts and the potential for the use of hypnosis in the treatment of cancer’, Clawson, T. A. Jr and Swade, R. H., 1975 Am J Clin Hypn 17;3:160-9
(3) In a careful single case controlled study of a patient with Raynaud’s disease, Conne (1984) showed a rapid and dramatic vasodilation in response to hypnotic suggestion.
‘Biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral methods, and hypnosis in dermatology: is it all in your mind?’ Shenefelt PD, Dermatol Ther. 2003;16(2):114-22.
‘The behavioral treatment of Raynaud’s disease: a review’, Rose GD, Carlson JG., Biofeedback Self Regul. 1987 Dec;12(4):257-72.
‘Biofeedback, autogenic training, and progressive relaxation in the treatment of Raynaud’s disease: a comparative study’ Keefe FJ, Surwit RS, Pilon RN., J Appl Behav Anal. 1980 Spring;13(1):3-11.
‘Behavioral treatment of Raynaud’s disease’, Surwit RS, Pilon RN, Fenton CH., J Behav Med. 1978 Sep;1(3):323-35.
