Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Classification and external resources
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) formerly reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), “causalgia”, or reflex neurovascular dystrophy (RND) is an amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome (AMPS). It is a chronic systemic disease characterized by severe pain, swelling, and changes in the skin. CRPS is expected to worsen over time. It often initially affects an arm or a leg and often spreads throughout the body; 92% of patients state that they have experienced a spread, and 35% of patients report symptoms in their whole body. Symptoms will appear within a month and may include: pain (diffused or localized); local changes in circulation; swelling; sweating; cool or warm extremities; muscle wasting; and reduction of motor activity of the muscles (in chronic cases). In some cases the sympathetic system reaction (local sweating, changes in skin temperature and color) is present; in other patients, it is not.
Treatments applied to these patients include NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs); physical therapy; sympathetic blocks; physical therapy; psychological support; and acupuncture (surgery will be utilized rarely). The treatment should be used in the earlier stages rather than in the chronic phase (the patient’s response to acupuncture in the earlier stages is faster, thus requiring fewer treatments). In many cases, the symptoms will continue with little or no improvement, the pain becomes extremely severe and does not respond to treatment. Acupuncture has been proved helpful in reducing the pain, improving the various conditions even other options fail to help.
Treatment: Treatment is administered 1-2 times per week for four weeks. The acupuncture needles are inserted with a slant direction, sometimes with electrical stimulation.
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