As a massage therapist in Vancouver since 1997 I have come across a lot of cold hands and feet. It is a very common condition with females and some males. The great thing about cold hands and feet is that most can be cured.

Most often this condition is a problem related to the circulatory system. The rationale is simple, your blood warms you body, your fingers and toes have the least amount of circulation and therefore when you increase the blood flow to the affected areas you warm up the hands and feet.

Your circulatory system is made up of your heart and miles of blood vessels. These blood vessels are named from largest to smallest; arteries, arterioles and capillaries. Structurally it is similar to a tree. A tree has a trunk which splits into limbs and then divides into branches.

The goal is to get more blood to these areas. Well just like strengthening you muscles gives you large and more muscle fibres. Strengthening your circulatory system will give you larger and many more capillaries. This will increase the volume of blood to the area and the blood is what warms you up.

Program

Place your hands or feet for 2 minutes in warm to hot water. The heat will draw more blood to the area.

Place your hands or feet in cold water for 30 seconds. The cold water will contract the capillaries and force blood from them.

End with 2 minutes back in warm to hot water.

Rationale

By increasing blood to the area then pushing it away and then increasing it again, it causes the blood to pump more and the body produces more blood vessels to address the increase demand.

The good thing is, just like fitness, if you keep this up on a regular basis you will have no more cold hands or feet.

Frequency

To increase the blood to the affected area do the program for 2 weeks every day. Then to maintain it do it twice weekly. Call me if you have any questions.

Hint: To make it easy, do it when you are brushing your teeth or doing the dishes.

If you do this in the shower and involve your whole body you will be greatly improving the health of your body.