Important Facts You Should Know About Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

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Regional pain syndrome CRPS facts

Do you sometimes suffer from pain possibly from an old or new injury and it just doesn’t go away? Have you taken pain medication only to realise that it only relieves the pain temporally? If you’re experiencing the above, then you might be suffering from complex regional pain syndrome.

Speaking to a professional chiropractor about the pain can help them to understand what you’re dealing with. Chiropractors often help patients manage pain through specialised chiropractic treatment.

It’s believed that CRPS may be related to an injury, a complication from surgery, or a slipped disc.

A chiropractor can work with you to identify which of these choices or which of these treatments are working best for you so that you can make decisions about the physical therapy to alleviate chronic pain and treat crps/ reflex sympathetic dystrophy

Next up, learn what a healthy back is, and how to take care of your spine.

What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome?

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is the name to describe a pain that continues for more than 6 months, a chronic pain. Most patients describe the pain to be like pins and needles. Others say that they experience a burning sensation in the affected area or affected limb.

What causes CRPS remains unknown.

Is CRPS a spinal cord injury?

If CRPS is caused by damage to injured peripheral sensory neurons, and peripheral nervous systems then these nerves become dysfunctional, and that causes a secondary effect on the brain and spinal cord.

Complex regional pain syndrome stages occur in the following order:

Complex regional pain syndrome – type 1

Also known as Type 1 or reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RDS)

Most patients who suffer from regional pain syndrome CRPS are experiencing “type I.” The injury or illness that led to CRPS did not affect any nerves. However, the patient is still experiencing pain.

Complex regional pain syndrome 2

Type II directly affects the nerves of the injured region. The patient may experience the same symptoms as in Type I which is common symptoms.

Type II (CRPS-II) is an uncommon chronic condition that causes severe pain.

This is a neurological disorder that causes severe pain but is not as devastating as chronic pain. CRPS is a neurological disorder that begins after an injury (nerve injury) or trauma to a peripheral nerve.

Peripheral nerves are a collection of nerve fibres that extend from the spinal cord and the brain to the affected limb.

Symptoms of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome CRPS

Regional pain syndrome can seem like a regular injury. Symptoms include but are not limited to the following:

  • The skin of the affected area/ affected limb looks thin
  • The joints that are affected become stiff
  • Less range and mobility of the affected limb
  • Sometimes patients experience tremors or spasms in the region
  • Swelling may occur
  • Skin temperature changes may also be experienced in the region affected

Pain relief of Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (Type 1) by your chiropractor

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome treatment options

When spine problems are present, nerve damage is often a primary source of pain syndrome. Therefore, the first step in the treatment is to address spine and spinal cord issues to ensure a pain-free central nervous system.

The spine is the core of the central nervous system. Ensuring there are no misalignments means ruling out catalysts like pinched nerves in the affected limb.

There are various treatment options including physical therapy Some patients may receive anti-inflammatory medication for chronic or severe pain.

Over-the-counter medications often have side effects. Patients should refrain from operating any heavy machinery or driving. One of the most common side effects of OTC meds includes drowsiness.

Other forms of medication may include corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. The doctor may also prescribe a nerve-blocking medicine. This medication restricts nerve fibres from detecting pain.

Chiropractic treatment for CRPS may include spinal cord stimulation, adjustments, as well as, hot and cold therapy.

Before starting the treatment, the patient will undergo a series of examinations and tests. These could include x-rays, an MRI, and a bone scan to name a few.

Although there is no known cause for CRPS or any form of nerve damage, managing it may be helpful in helping patients regain some quality of life.

If you need help managing pain then speak to a chiropractor today!

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