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The Autoimmune RESET
VJ Hamilton is a nutritionist, scientist, and autoimmune disease expert who founded The Autoimmunity Nutritionist Clinic, a Nutritional Therapy and Functional Medicine clinic specialising in autoimmune disease.
VJ combines her lived experience overcoming autoimmune disease symptoms with her knowledge of nutrition, health, biochemistry, and immunology to provide you with the most up-to-date research on autoimmune disease.
The Autoimmune RESET aims to provide you with the education and resources to empower you to take steps to transform your health and feel better than ever.
In each episode, VJ will share simple ways to uplevel your diet and lifestyle, key learnings from her own journey reversing autoimmune disease, and inspirational stories from those who have reset their autoimmune symptoms and are now thriving in life.
Health practitioners, mind and body experts, and scientists will be joining VJ as guests on the show, as well as those who have inspirational stories to share and are now thriving in everyday life!
And don't miss the short episodes every Friday, The Friday 5, in which VJ shares five healthy must-haves for you to explore over the weekend.
The Autoimmune RESET
Friday 5 - Why Your Hands Hurt: Autoimmune Clues, Circulation & Practical Solutions
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In this Friday 5 episode of The Autoimmune RESET Podcast, I’m talking about something that many people with autoimmune conditions experience, but that isn’t always discussed in enough depth — hand health.
For many individuals, the hands are one of the first places symptoms show up. Cold fingers, colour changes, stiffness, pain, weakness, or reduced dexterity can all reflect deeper processes happening in the body, including circulation instability, nervous system dysregulation, connective tissue vulnerability, or immune-driven inflammation. Conditions such as Raynaud’s phenomenon, inflammatory arthritis, hypermobility syndromes, and autoimmune connective tissue disorders often manifest visibly in the hands long before other symptoms fully develop.
In this episode, I share both clinical insights and personal observations, alongside five practical strategies that can make a meaningful difference. We explore how stabilising circulation supports tissue health, why nervous system regulation plays a central role in blood flow, and how connective tissue and joint support influence long-term hand function. I also discuss the importance of warmth, sensory stimulation, and daily micro-practices that help maintain mobility and comfort.
This conversation emphasises that supporting hand health is not only about external measures — creams, braces, or heat — but also about addressing internal physiology, including nutrient status, inflammation, and nervous system balance.
As always, the goal is not perfection, but consistency. Small daily practices layered over time can create significant improvements.
If you experience persistent pain, colour changes, numbness, or reduced function in your hands, it is always worth investigating underlying drivers rather than simply accepting symptoms as inevitable.
Key Takeaways
- The hands are often an early indicator of immune and connective tissue issues.
- Circulation stability is fundamental for tissue health and comfort.
- Nervous system regulation directly influences blood flow to the extremities.
- Supporting connective tissue and joints improves strength and resilience.
- Warmth and sensory stimulation can significantly improve microcirculation.
- Consistent daily care matters more than occasional interventions.
- Persistent symptoms should prompt deeper investigation.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Hand Health and Autoimmune Clues
02:25 Stabilising Circulation
05:49 Nervous System Regulation
07:49 Supporting Connective Tissue and Joints
10:41 Keeping Hands Warm
12:07 Sensory Tools for Microcirculation
14:24 Final Thoughts and Support
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→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
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