Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooRaynaud's Phenomenon

Raynaud's Phenomenon causes colour changes in the fingers and toes after being exposed to cold or going through an emotional event such as stress or anxiety (NHS, 2023). The colour changes happen because the small blood vessels narrow (spasm), which reduces the blood supply to the local tissues. Initially, the affected finger or toe turns pale or white due to the lack of blood. It then turns blue and feels cold and numb, as the blood left in the tissue loses its oxygen. As you warm up and the blood flow returns, the area turns red and may tingle, throb or swell (NIAMS, 2024a). Some people also find that their ears, nose or lips are affected (NHS, 2023).

Who is Likely to Get Raynaud's?

How to Treat Raynaud's Phenomenon

Tips

• For those who have this condition, you should work to guard your hands and feet from potential trauma and wounds. Keep your hands clean and dry, use a moisturiser regularly, and if you get a crack or sore, get it treated promptly (NIAMS, 2024b).
• Avoid emotional stress where you can, and limit the use of tools that vibrate the hand, to help reduce the number of attacks (NHS, 2023; Cleveland Clinic, 2026). Breathing exercises or yoga may help you relax (NHS, 2023).
• Exercise regularly, as this helps improve circulation, and eat a healthy, balanced diet (NHS, 2023).
• Do not have too much caffeine (found in tea, coffee, cola and chocolate), as it may trigger symptoms (NHS, 2023).
• For those who have this condition, you want to avoid smoking directly or indirectly. Nicotine causes the blood vessels to narrow, increasing the chance of an attack, and smoking may also cause permanent damage to the blood vessels (NIAMS, 2024b).
• When caring for your nails, it needs to be done carefully to avoid any injuries to the fingertips or toes.
• Some medicines can bring on attacks, including beta blockers for high blood pressure, decongestants containing phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine, migraine medicines containing ergotamine, and some stimulant medicines (NIAMS, 2024b). Do not stop any prescribed medicine yourself; discuss your medication with your pharmacist or your family doctor or nurse practitioner.

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Raynaud's is managed mainly by keeping warm, calming stress and, where needed, medical treatment, and massage doesn't change the blood vessels themselves. My aim is to help you relax and ease the muscle tension that stress builds up. If you have secondary Raynaud's, I work alongside the team treating the condition behind it.

I start by asking what sets off your attacks, about other health conditions and medicines, and by checking the skin on your hands and feet. If you have a sore or ulcer on a finger or toe, please see your family doctor or nurse practitioner first.

In the Clinic

• A warm room and warm applications, never cold on your hands or feet
• Slow, full-body relaxation massage and guided breathing to help settle the stress response
• Gentle myofascial work for the back, shoulders, arms, legs, hands and feet
• Lighter pressure where feeling is reduced or skin is fragile, avoiding cracks, sores or rashes

At Home

1. NHS (2023) Raynaud's. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/raynauds/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
2. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (2024a) (2024) Raynaud's Phenomenon. Available at: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/raynauds-phenomenon (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
3. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (2024b) (2024) Raynaud's Phenomenon: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take. Available at: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/raynauds-phenomenon/diagnosis-treatment-and-steps-to-take (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
4. Cleveland Clinic (2026) Raynaud's Syndrome. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9849-raynauds-phenomenon (Accessed: 7 October 2026).